Painting (smooth ceramic) tiles experencies


  #1  
Old 03-16-23, 04:49 PM
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago land
Posts: 702
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
Painting (smooth ceramic) tiles experencies

Hi,

Can anybody offer advice and experiences painting bathroom wall ceramic tiles?
I like to paint some 20 year old beige type ceramic tiles white.
It seems that there are specialized products also used for bathtubs.Either roll-on or spray cans.
 
  #2  
Old 03-16-23, 05:00 PM
XSleeper's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,061
Received 1,910 Upvotes on 1,716 Posts
You could go that route. My wife does a lot of my painting. She swears by Zinsser 123 primer on tile, and then wait about a week for it to dry. At first you will be able to scratch the primer off with a fingernail... but the longer you let it cure, the more "stuck" it will be. Then paint with any type of paint you like. For a bathroom, an enamel is a good idea.

I generally don't like Zinsser 123 as a wall primer but in this case, she's right, it works well. Just don't tell her I said that or she'll want a recording. LOL
 
  #3  
Old 03-16-23, 05:08 PM
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago land
Posts: 702
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
  #4  
Old 03-17-23, 04:21 AM
M
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA - N.E.Tn
Posts: 45,659
Received 835 Upvotes on 732 Posts
I'd be leery of painting shower tile and especially floor tile.
Getting the substrate clean [including cleaner residue] is paramount. Contaminants on the tile will cause paint failure sooner or later.
 
  #5  
Old 03-17-23, 09:41 AM
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago land
Posts: 702
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
I am bit leery as well. It is only wall tiles in a guest bath room.
I read that some actually sand the tiles first with 400 grid
 
  #6  
Old 03-17-23, 10:30 AM
XSleeper's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,061
Received 1,910 Upvotes on 1,716 Posts
I wasn't implying you would just use paint in a wet location or on a floor.
 
  #7  
Old 03-17-23, 12:30 PM
M
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA - N.E.Tn
Posts: 45,659
Received 835 Upvotes on 732 Posts
I have very limited experience using tub and tile paint. It does ok over shower tile but isn't anywhere as good as the tile under it. It will peel on floors.

IMO it's best to save your money and retile once you can afford to do so [it's not an overly difficult diy job] But I know we don't always get the last say
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: