Did you know that it’s possible to paint over ceramic tiles? It’s true! If the tiles in your kitchen, bathroom, or any other area of your home are looking worn out or discolored, you can rejuvenate them with a coat of paint. Residential painting can be an affordable, practical alternative to ripping out the tiles altogether. 

Keep reading to learn more about how to paint ceramic tiles to update the look of your Denver home’s flooring. 

Painting Ceramic Tiles: Before You Start

Before you dive into your ceramic tile painting project, read these important considerations:

• Painting your ceramic tiles will be easier than ripping them out and replacing them. But, this doesn’t mean that painting your ceramic tiles will be as easy as painting a wall, for example. Grinding down the flooring manually or using an etching solution to remove the outer sheen will be necessary for the paint to adhere to the tiles. Additionally, you’ll need to repair any damage to the tiles by filling in cracks and replacing loose tiles. 

• Don’t paint the ceramic tiles right around a sink, bathtub, or shower. These areas will receive more moisture than other areas of your floor. That moisture could force the paint to peel. So, you’ll be better off just painting ceramic tiles on countertops, walls, and floors that aren’t immediately surrounding these fixtures. As long as the surface doesn’t often get splashed with water, it can be successfully painted. 
• Painting ceramic tiles will cost far less than replacing the tiles. This still applies when you factor in the cost of the required primer and etching product. So, by painting instead of replacing your ceramic tiles, you could save several hundred (even thousands) of dollars. 

Step By Step: Painting Ceramic Tile

1. Cleaning The Tiles

First, you’ll need to clean the tiles using a solution of warm water and a cleaner, such as TSP. Put on rubber gloves and use the solution to thoroughly clean the tiles. You’ll likely need to repeatedly change out the cleaning solution, depending on the size of the area you’re going to paint. Once you’ve cleaned the entire area with the solution, rinse off the tiles with fresh water. Wait for it to dry before moving onto the next step. 

2. Tile and Grout Repairs

Next, you’ll need to take care of any chips, cracks, and other damage to the tiles. You can use caulk to repair small chips and cracks. Put on gloves, then put a bit of caulk on the damaged area and level it out with your finger. 

For more extensive damage, use waterproof spackle for exterior applications instead of caulk. Put a small amount of spackle on the damage, then level off the area with a putty knife. 

You’ll also need to repair the grout before painting ceramic tiles. Tubed tile group is available at hardware stores and can be used to repair small areas of grout damage. Significantly damaged grout will need to be removed and replaced. 

3. Tile Sanding

To sand down your ceramic tiles and get them ready for a layer of paint, first put on protective gear for your eyes, ears, and respiratory system. With a hand-held orbital sander with sandpaper (around #100 to #150 grit), sand only the glaze of the ceramic tiles. Don’t sand past the glazing. Once the tile is dry, use a tack cloth with a light touch to clean the area again. 

4. Prepare The Area

Before your start priming and painting, block off the adjacent areas that won’t be painted with sheet plastic or a drop cloth. You can secure the sheet plastic with painter’s tape. 

5. Apply Primer

With a brush or a roller, apply a thin layer of primer to the tiles. Wait for this coat to dry, then apply a second layer of primer, again making sure to keep the layer thin. Wait for the primer to dry completely before moving onto the paint. 

6. Paint The Tiles

Now, you can finally paint the tiles. With a semi- or high-gloss paint, apply a coat of paint to the tiles. Once the first coat has fully cured, apply a second coat. If needed, you can also add a third coat of paint after the second coat has cured. 

7. Sealer

To finish off your tiles, apply sealer. Use a clear polyurethane sealer, applying it to the tiles in a thin layer with a brush or roller. Let the first coat fully cure before applying a second coat. The sealer will prevent water damage, as well as scuffs and scratches, in your ceramic tile. For more home painting tips, contact Brushstrokes Painting today.