How To Paint Ceramic Tile
Want to know how to paint ceramic tile? As crazy as it sounds you can paint a ceramic tile floor like this. The key is using the right paint and covering the paint with clear urethane. © 2018 Tim Carter
"Apply floor tile paint after cleaning the tile with Stain Solver oxygen bleach. Use a urethane-based paint for best adhesion. Clear coat the paint to protect it."
Revised May 2018
Painting Ceramic Tile TIPS
- Clean the tile and grout with Stain Solver certified organic oxygen bleach
- Use urethane-based paint
- Use Flotrol to eliminate brush strokes CLICK HERE to get it
- Allow paint to cure 24 hours
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DEAR TIM: Can you instruct me how to paint ceramic tile? Money is very tight now, and applying ceramic tile paint is the only thing I can afford. Can you paint tile, so it will not peel?
Is there a special ceramic-tile paint? What is an easy way to paint ceramic floor tile, and should I paint the grout? Leslie S., Belleville, IL
DEAR LESLIE: I'll gladly help you discover how to paint ceramic tile. If you've painted walls and even flooring before, you can do this job. The best part is you can really transform the look and feel of a room when you paint ceramic tile.
Can You Paint Tile?
Any ceramic tile can be painted no matter if it is old or new. The most important thing is to make sure the tile is perfectly clean.
Many people ignore the instructions on paint cans. If you take a few moments to read these instructions, you'll discover that they tell you to apply the paint to clean, dry surfaces that are free of grease, wax, dirt, and dust.
CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST Bids from local painters to paint your ceramic tile.
How to Paint Ceramic Tile
Follow these easy steps to get the best results from ceramic tile paint:
- deep clean the tile and grout
- purchase urethane-resin water-based paint
- add a small amount of flow-control additive to the paint
- use a low-nap roller and high-quality brushes
What is the Best Tile Cleaner?
Stain Solver is MADE in the USA with USA ingredients that are food-grade quality. CLICK THE IMAGE to order some NOW.
You can clean ceramic tile with just about any soap, but the more powerful ones often give you a better job. The tile and grout need to be free of all dirt, oil, grease, etc. for the paint to have a chance to bond.
The best tile and grout cleaner I have ever used is Stain Solver certified organic oxygen bleach. It's Made in the USA with USA ingredients.
This is a powder that you mix with hot tap water. You apply a generous amount of the solution and let it soak into the grout.
Millions of oxygen bubbles attack the dirt.
The longer you allow the Stain Solver solution to work on its own, the less you have to scrub.
After a 10 to 15-minute wait, scrub the grout with the excess oxygen-bleach solution. You'll be stunned how much gunk comes out of the grout. After it dries, it should look like new. If you plan to also paint the grout, you must let the grout dry for at least 48 hours.
WATCH this video to see how easy it is to do.
What Floor Tile Paint Is The Best?
The best ceramic tile paint is one that has a urethane resin. The resin in the paint is what allows it to stick to things. Urethane is extremely sticky.
To ensure that the new paint will not peel, you need to use the right paint. In the past, I have had great success with oil-based paint. Pollution laws that address volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint make it harder and harder to find oil paints. It's important to realize urethane paint is the next best choice.
Many people also do not like the clean-up process that comes with oil-based paints. You need to use mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean the brushes, rollers and other tools.
Water-based paints that contain a urethane resin make a great ceramic tile paint.
Here's a great urethane-fortified paint. That's why on the label it says it's for porches and floors! It's tough enough to walk on so you know it will perform really well on your vinyl siding where no one can walk except squirrels. CLICK THE IMAGE NOW TO have this paint delivered to your home.
Urethane is a very sticky glue, and after all, that is what paint really is - a liquid glue that contains color. You really need a sticky paint to adhere to the glossy surface of most ceramic tile.
Can I Paint Tub and Shower Tile?
Do not paint tub and shower tile. The constant exposure to water and the aggressive cleaning of these surfaces can cause damage to the paint.
There are places where I'd not apply paint to ceramic tile or other glazed surfaces. Don't apply it to ceramic tile that gets wet on a regular basis.
Examples of this are tile surfaces inside a tub or shower area. I'd also not paint the inside glazed surface of a toilet bowl.
You can successfully paint a ceramic-tile backsplash that gets occasional water on it. The ceramic-tile floor in a bathroom can also be painted so long as the water sports in the bathroom don't get totally out of control.
CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST Bids from painters to paint your ceramic tile.
Should I Clear Coat the Paint?
Yes, it's best to apply a clear water-based urethane to the paint just as you'd apply urethane to a hardwood floor.
To keep the paint on the tile looking like new, you need to protect it. This is especially true if you decide to paint ceramic floor tile. Painted floors of any type work well, and proof of that is any basketball court. Painted basketball courts are created by painting the patterns on the floor, let the paint cure for two days and then coat the entire floor with several coats of clear floor finish.
I've found that the water-based urethanes stay clear for a long time, never yellowing. Price is almost always the best barometer of quality.
Look for a water-based urethane that costs the most money. I've had great success over the years with Varathane Diamond Coat urethane.
Use this heavy-duty polyurethane to protect the paint. The urethane works just like putting it on hardwood floors! CLICK IMAGE TO ORDER IT NOW.
Can You Paint Grout?
Yes, you can paint grout. The paint will stick very well to the rough grout texture.
As for painting the grout, that's a personal decision. There's no doubt it will make the job easier if you paint the grout the same color as the tile.
If you do want a contrast in color, then you'll be painstakingly taping off the grout lines with the special acrylic masking tape that will not stick to fresh paint.
If you want natural grout and need to regrout, do so before you paint. The regrouting process will damage the freshly-painted tile. Keeping paint out of grout requires great skill and patience.
What is the Best Paint Roller for Ceramic Tile?
I suggest a roller with a low nap to keep bubbles and texture to a minimum.
You can also add products to the paint that allow them to flow well and attain a finish as if they had been sprayed.
This is a great paint additive you use to eliminate brush strokes. It reduces the surface tension in the paint. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THIS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.
If you have a sprayer, you absolutely can spray the tile. Be sure to protect adjacent surfaces from overspray.
Make sure the urethane you use to protect the paint is applied to a clean dust-free surface. Read the paint-can label to see how soon you can apply the urethane. It is best to let the paint cure as long as possible so it gets nice and hard. This will make it more durable.
CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST Bids from painters to paint your ceramic tile.
Author's Note: We've received other questions with similar problems or questions. Here's one from E.J. Vincent of California regarding her ceramic tile painting project.
"I want to paint my own design onto ceramic tile, like the ones you would buy at Home Depot. Is there a special ceramic tile paint and sealer I need to use? The ceramic tiles will be incorporated in with the same unpainted tiles on the kitchen cabinet top and backsplash."
| Message from Tim: Years ago while researching a column about cleaning decks, I discovered the wonders of Stain Solver Oxygen Bleach. It is perhaps the 'greenest' cleaner I know of as it uses oxygen ions to break apart stains, dirt and odor molecules. There are no harsh chemicals, and it works on just about anything that is water washable.
I decided to create my own special blend using ingredients made in the USA. In fact, the raw materials in the active ingredient are food-grade quality registered with the FDA. I call my product Stain Solver. I urge you to use it to help with cleaning your tile grout. You will be amazed at the results! |
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