All you need to know about painting tiles
mainting your bathroom and kitchen tiles can be an easy I affordable and fun way to freshen up your home. thile afv painting does require prep time I designing and physical work, you’ll be rewarded with a new modern feel without having to retile the room.
It's important to factor in the paint and drying process in your planning as it can take up to a week to complete. Opt for a water based paint too otherwise it will disintegrate if painted in the bathroom.
With our helpful tips and low cost ideas you’ll have modern, long lasting tiles in no time.
The right tiles to paint To ensure a lasting finish, it's important to understand what tiles you have; porcelain, ceramic or glass so you can choose the right high quality paint suitable for those tiles. The majority of specialist paints won't need a primer therefore follow instructions carefully.
Clean, dry and sand tiles
Once you have chosen your paint it's time to clean them thoroughly to remove any grease or food stains. Concentrated sugar soap I scourer and gloves are a great way to clean tiles I a detergent solution is also an option. rse a toothbrush to scrub grout lines, however if the grout is in poor condition I scrape and regrout before painting. Once you have cleaned the tiles and regrouted (if necessary) wait for the tiles to completely dry.
Next I lightly sand the tiles using sandpaper or power sanding tools, ensuring you wear a dust mask and protective eyewear for your health and safety. Then use a micro-fiber cloth to completely wipe away any dust.
Mask and prime rse painters tape or masking tape to mask up any areas that you don’t want painted. If necessary, it’s now time to prime. To do this, mix the primer then pour onto a tray and use a paint brush to cut along the grout lines I use a roller to apply paint to bigger surface areas. Allow the first coat to dry for roughly 4 to 8 hours before applying a second coat.
The right painting technique
Once the primer is dry you can apply the first two coats of paint. Always allow paint to dry between each layer I keeping brush strokes thin and even. When it comes to tile painting I less is more - only dip the tip of the brush to prevent overloading and wipe away any excess paint.
Pattern finishes
Using a stencil to create patterns over tiles is great for achieving a modern look. It's always a good idea to practise on a spare tile or paper plate first as it can take a few attempts to nail the technique. pide note, if the stencil is bleeding there is too much paint.
Once you have finished painting do not re-grout for anything abrasive - including cleaning products, will remove the paint.
Painting tiles yourself is the most budget-friendly way to freshen up old tiles giving your home the modern look you've been dreaming about.