8 Techniques for Painting Tile

Want to add a splash of color by painting tile in a room in your house? Painting tile is an easy way to have a change of scenery and simply add some flavor to an area.

Remembering the helpful hints below will help you in completing this project.

Decide Where You Want to Start

First off, you need to decide what space you're looking to spruce up. You should stay away from painting any tiles that get wet a lot, so bathrooms are out, and thinking twice about painting your kitchen tiles is probably a good idea too.

Time to Choose

There are two options you can choose from when deciding to change the look of your tiles. You can choose to paint, or you can choose to re-glaze.

Re-glazing is basically spraying a layer of liquid porcelain onto the surface. Both re-glazing and painting will allow you to pick any color you wish to use.

If You Remember Anything, Remember This

The biggest step in painting your tiles is a great preparation. Preparing the area you will be working on and making sure it is ready to go before actually going any further is what will make the actual painting so much easier and better.

Make sure you clean the tile and grout, getting rid of any greases, oil, dirt, etc. Doing this will let the paint stick nicely without any underlying issues.

Sand It Down

Sanding down the tile before doing any sort of painting will help the paint stick better than leaving it smooth. Using #220 fine-grit sandpaper is best. Sanding will make the tile gritty and will bond better with the paint that you use. Leaving the tiles smooth leaves it slick and therefore not letting it bond with the paint as well.

If It's Damaged, Fix It

You will want to check for any damage and fix it, whether it's ripped corners, cracked tile, etc. If you are taking the time to change the look of your room, taking a couple extra steps to make it look brand new is very worth it.

Get Out the Bleach

Tiles and underneath the tiles are places where mold and mildew like to hang out. Make sure you remove any mold or mildew from the surface. This is easily done using bleach or hydrogen peroxide.

Use Primer

Before applying the actual paint, it is best to prime the tile you are working on. This is like putting a protective cover on the tile, so the paint is applied better. This also stops you from having to apply too many coats of paint to the tiles.

Choose the Right One

Choose the paint color to your liking, remembering that oil-based paint sticks best to tile. You will also want to use a satin finish. Semi-gloss paint and a paint designed specifically for floors are best to use.

Painting tiles is an easy way to spruce up an area in your house. Remember the techniques above and you're sure to finish this color creation in no time and with a change that looks fantastic.