Thursday, November 16, 2017

How to Do Tile Painting


Reader Approved

Three Parts:Gathering MaterialsPrepping Your TilePainting Your TileCommunity Q&A

Many people believe that the only way to color a tile is to glaze it in a kiln, but you can actually paint tile yourself at home! If you do the right prep work, it’s a quick, easy task that will let you re-color your flooring or bathroom, or even add a decorative element to your floors, counters, or mantel. Learning how to choose the right supplies, prepare your tile for painting, and paint and seal your tile correctly will help you re-do your home quickly and inexpensively.

Part 1

Gathering Materials
  1. 1

    Purchase ceramic, epoxy, enamel, or latex paint.

    Using the right paint is very important. Water-based paint like acrylic, watercolors, or spray paint will not work at all, especially if you’re painting bathroom or kitchen tile. You can use commercial tile or ceramic paint, oil-based paint, colored epoxy, enamel, or latex paint.

    [1]

  2. 2

    Choose the best brushes for your project.

    If you are painting an intricate scene or design on your tile, you'll most likely need several different sizes of brushes. If you are painting a large bathroom wall, for example, you can use a larger brush.

    [2]

  3. 3

    Set up your supplies and protect your work area.

    Lay out cleaning supplies, sandpaper, and protective gear. You'll need to take a few precautions to prevent injury or paint spills in your work area.

    [3]
    • Lay a tarp down on the floor to prevent paint from dripping on it.
    • Line the edges of your work area with painter's tape.
    • Keep damp rags nearby in case you need to fix any mistakes.
    • Open windows or bring a fan into the room for ventilation.
    • Wear a painter's mask to avoid inhaling fumes.
    • If you're working in the kitchen, move food to another area to prevent contamination.

Part 2

Prepping Your Tile
  1. 1

    Clean the tile with degreaser and tile cleaner.

    If your tile is brand new, you can just wipe off the surface. Older tile, especially flooring or bathroom tile, will need to be cleaned thoroughly. Start by using a degreaser, then wash the tile with tile cleaner or soap and water. It’s very important that your tile is perfectly clean, so don’t skip this step!

    [4]
    • Use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to remove any mold.
    • Vinegar works well for removing soap scum and shower residue.

  2. 2

    Sand your tile with 1800-grit paper until it's no longer smooth.

    You won’t need to sand unglazed tile, but any ceramic that has already been glazed will need to be sanded to provide a rough surface for the paint to adhere to. Use 1800-grit sandpaper to smooth the tile and remove uneven gloss.

    [5]

  3. 3

    Wipe off the dust with a damp rag.

    Sanding creates a lot of dust, and it will affect the look of your paint. Make sure all of the dust from sanding is gone by wiping the entire surface with a damp cloth. You can also vacuum away any accumulated dust.

    [6]

  4. 4

    Apply an oil-based high adhesion primer to home surfaces.

    Oil primers are efficient at preventing stains and holding on to ceramic and/or oil-based paint, but you won’t need to use them for decorative art tiles that won’t be walked on or used. If you’re planning to paint in a high-traffic area, like the shower or the hallway floor, use two coats.

    [7]

  5. 5

    Wait at least 24 hours for the primer to dry.

    Check the primer's label for a precise drying time. If you're working in an area with a lot of moisture, like the bathroom, you may want to wait 48 hours.

    [8]

Part 3

Painting Your Tile
  1. 1

    Decide on your colors or design.

    If you are painting existing tile in your home, make sure that the colors you choose complement the rest of your design scheme. It is usually best to choose light colors when painting your tile, as dark or bright colors can overwhelm a room. If you’re painting a design, choose one that will be easy for you to do and will look good in your home.

    [9]

  2. 2

    Create a painted design (optional). If you want to paint a design, try searching for inspiration in Spanish, Portuguese, or Chinese tile paintings. You could also try a geometric design, like a chevron pattern or checks.

  3. 3

    Transfer your design to the tile with a pencil.

    If you have an intricate design, draw it on the tile with pencil first. Be sure to press the pencil very lightly so that it is easy to hide with paint and/or erase if necessary. You can also practice on paper beforehand.

    [10]

  4. 4

    Paint your tile.

    If you are painting a design, start with the lightest color first to avoid smudges, and let each color dry before starting a new one. If you’re painting a home surface in a solid color, apply the paint in multiple thin layers. It’s usually necessary to do at least 3 layers, especially if your paint color is lighter than the original color.

    [11]
    • Painting over the grout is much easier than trying to avoid it, and it isn’t noticeable if you choose a light color.

  5. 5

    Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours.

    For small art projects, 24 hours will be enough, but for larger home surfaces, wait for at least 48 hours. This is especially important for high-traffic areas like the bathroom or kitchen counter.

    [12]
    • If you’ve painted a ceramic bathtub, wait for several days before filling it with warm water.

  6. 6

    Coat with clear urethane to seal in the paint.

    You can buy urethane from any home supply store. It’s important to use a sealant like urethane that is made for ceramics, especially if you’re painting kitchen or bathroom tiles that get a lot of use and come into contact with moisture. Apply according to the package directions and let it dry thoroughly before touching your tile.

    [13]

Community Q&A
Add New Question
  • What type of pencil should I use to draw on the tile?

    wikiHow Contributor

    Any normal pencil should be fine, but be careful, because if done too heavily, the pencil lines will be visible after you are finished!

  • Can these same tips be applied to tiles already on the wall?

    wikiHow Contributor

    If it is a wall of a bathroom, kitchen, or a room where lots of water collects, you may want to seal the tile with multiple coats after painting. Also, make sure there is no mold on the tiles, and that they are completely dry before the painting process. Don't allow housemates to use plumbing around the tiles until they are dry. Otherwise, it should be safe.

  • Can I paint tile that is lightly textured?

    wikiHow Contributor

    You may use a fine grit sandpaper to remove some undesirable texture. If you want to keep the texture, it should be fine as long as the texture isn't too rough or bumpy, such as the texture you find on bricks or stone.

  • I am painting a picture with oil based paint on the tile. If I sand the gloss off, do I still need a primer coat?

    wikiHow Contributor

    Yes, it's always good to prime to ensure your paint stays down and to enhance the durability of your painting.

  • I have painted my ceramic subway tile kitchen counter, and, after one coat of oil based paint, the counters feel rough. Can I fix this by sanding them?

    wikiHow Contributor

    You could sand them, but a better option would be to add another coat of paint. Most painted tiles will need at least two coats.

  • Can I use chalk paint for my art work?

    wikiHow Contributor

    Chalk paint isn't recommended because it's water-based. This means that it's not as stable as oil or enamel paints, so you're likely to see chipping or bubbling, especially if it's a high-gloss tile.

  • I want the smooth finish of the tile to be seen. I lose it if I prime it. Do I have to use the primer?

    wikiHow Contributor

    If you want to retain the gloss effect of the tile, you can't paint it at all. Even a high-gloss sealant won't have the same look as kiln-glazed tile.

  • Do I have to prime the tile in order to paint designs with oil paint?

    wikiHow Contributor

    It's highly recommended. Painted tile is not a permanent fix, and a primer will add significant time to your tile's longevity.

  • Can I use them on the floor

    wikiHow Contributor

    Yes, but it's best to avoid high-traffic areas like the kitchen or hallway. Paint applied to tile is much more fragile than glazed tile or painted wood, and scuffing will damage it.

  • How do I paint outdoor tile?

    wikiHow Contributor

    Follow the same steps in the article, except check to make sure your primer, paint, and sealant are all suitable for outdoors.

Show more answers

Ask a Question

Tips

  • Consider adding an accent tile to brighten up a boring surface.
  • Paint with patience. The more attention you pay to detail the better your project will turn out.
  • Glass paint may work on very high-gloss tile.

Warnings

  • Be sure to take the appropriate safety methods when using power tools and/or dealing with potentially toxic fumes by wearing safety goggles and a painter's mask.
  • Re-painting tile on home surfaces is not a permanent fix and will most likely need to be repainted in the future.

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Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Painting

In other languages:

Italiano: Dipingere le Mattonelle, Deutsch: Fliesen bemalen, Español: pintar sobre un azulejo, 中文: 画瓷砖画, Português: Pintar Azulejos, Русский: покрасить плитку, Bahasa Indonesia: Mengecat Ubin, Français: peindre du carrelage

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