How to Properly Paint Ceramic Tiles

If you want a new look for your ceramic tile without spending lots of money for tiling over the existing tile or replacing them entirely, then perhaps you should consider painting them.

While painting ceramic tiles of shower and tub walls should be best left to professionals, you can paint the tiles of a half bath, kitchen or other room by yourself, as long as the tiles are still in good condition and are not directly exposed to water. The key to successful painting usually involves careful preparation and using the correct types of primer and paint.

Required Equipment and Supplies

Before starting the paint job, you need to have the following supplies and equipment to easily help you in getting the job done:

Wearable gear like rubber gloves, goggles, dust mask and protective clothing; power equipment like a pad or random-orbit type power sander, vacuum, box or window fan; cleaners and finishers like mildew remover, tile and grout cleaner, nonmetallic abrasive pad, 220-grit aluminum oxide sandpaper, soft burs, lint-free dust cloth, bucket, large sponge, drop cloths; and painting supplies like pad, brush, or soft-nap roller paint applicators, primer and 100% acrylic latex paint topcoat.

Keep in mind that with regards to bathroom tile painting, adhesion is not really the problem. It is important to note that the finished product is only as durable as the kind of paint used.

Cleaning Tiles and Grout

The tiles must be clean before applying any paint, so a good commercial bathroom tile and grout cleaner should first be used to remove all grease, dirt and grime from the surface. If mildew is present, use a product designed to kill the mildew and remove any stains with a nonmetallic abrasive pad, like a green scrubber pad. All traces of detergent should also be removed by rinsing the tiles thoroughly. When painting, it is always a good idea to wear gloves and goggles for safety reasons.

Sanding Tiles

To ensure a proper bond for the paint, the tiles must be sanded well. For this purpose a very fine 220-grit aluminum oxide sandpaper can be used, which will remove the gloss without leaving scratches that will show through the new finish. A finishing power pad or random-orbit type sander can also be used in all but the smallest areas. Some well-known bonding primers like the water-based Bullseye 1-2-3 claim that sanding won't be necessary when you use it, but even though you use the product, you can always sand as an extra precaution.

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