Is your bathroom unattractive? Do you want to quickly renew its interior, but lack the time for a major overhaul? Painting tiles is a much faster and cheaper option to refresh the arrangement. We suggest how to paint tiles to prolong their life and restore their appearance.
Difficult material
Painting tile is quite different from painting other surfaces. Tiles are often glazed to a high gloss, so they are supposed to be resistant to any dirt. However, there are several ways how tiles can be painted successfully, despite all odds.
Sometimes the color of the tiles completely does not match our new arrangement
© Max Williams
Advantages and disadvantages of painting tiles
Advantages
- It is a cheaper solution than replacing all the tiles
- Provides an opportunity to repair minor defects in the tile structure and grout
- Allows you to avoid a major overhaul
Disadvantages
- The paint covers not only the tile, but also the grout
- Paint can peel over time.
- Painting tiles requires proper preparation, which takes a lot of time.
For painting we need to use a special paint
© Rafael Rex
How to get down to work?
1 Clean the tile
Since tile is usually covered with a protective surface, years of dirt can be difficult to remove. Take the time to thoroughly clean all areas of the tile, especially the joints.
2 - Repair cavities and imperfections
Small cracks and minor chips on the surface of the tiles can be repaired with putty, using gloves. Larger cavities can be repaired with waterproof putty. After applying it to the cavity, you can wipe off the excess with a spatula. It is also important to repair cavities in grout, since we will also paint them. For minor repairs, use tile grout sold in tubes. It should be applied with a gloved finger and then wiped off. For major damage, the grout should be removed and replaced with a new one.
2. wipe off the surface
Glossy surfaces are easier to tarnish. Sanding tiles creates a matte finish, which makes paint adhere better and longer.
3. protect the surface
Use plastic sheeting and painter's tape to avoid dirtying other areas that are not to be painted.
3. choose a paint for tiles
Acrylic-latex paints should not be used to paint tiles. For better results and maximum durability, use epoxy paint orpaint labeled as tile paint.
4. paint using the proper technique
Use a paint brush to paint along the grout lines. Then, before the paint between the grout dries, use a roller and paint the tile and grout surfaces together. This will ensure a uniform finish with no visible brush strokes. Tip: Between coats, you can put the brush and roller in a plastic bag or pouch to keep them damp. After the break, we can use the still-damp brushes without having to soak them in water and dry them.
