There are three reasons why ceramic tiles can be painted:
- Hide imperfections in the old coating, such as cracks or small chips.
- Dramatically change the look of a bathroom or a kitchen apron, and in a very short time.
- Save on cosmetic repairs, do everything yourself, bring something new and original into the interior.
It is clear that painting designer tiles like natural stone or wood, tiles with drawings and panels is an unreasonable idea. But if the tile is the most common, simple, inexpensive, boring – this option for updating the finish may come in handy.
We have already written about how to paint the walls. The painting process for tiles is slightly different, but in general it is even easier than in the case of brickwork..
You will need:
- The paints themselves.
- Brushes, roller, masking tape to mark borders.
- If necessary, if you decide to make a pattern, ornament or a complex picture – a stencil.
- Primer.
- Fixing varnish.
- Paint thinner.
Before you start painting the tiles, you need to wash and degrease them using special detergents. Remember to clean the tile joints thoroughly! It is in them that dirt accumulates most of all. Let the surface dry, then use a primer to ensure good adhesion.
As for the choice of paint, acrylic and epoxy compounds are best suited for painting tiles. You can also use satin enamel, which has a velvety effect..
Important! Choose paints for wet rooms, specially marked, from trusted manufacturers.
There are several ways to paint a tile:
- Continuous color update, that is, the entire surface is painted the same.
- Selection of individual zones, patterns, ornaments.
- Creating a picture as the brightest accent of decoration, panel.
If in the first case you will need to protect only the edges with masking tape – the joints of the wall with the ceiling, floor or an apron with a kitchen countertop, then in the other two – limit those zones that will be painted over.
A roller is perfect for applying a solid color, but a soft brush for patterns and designs, because a hard bristle will leave noticeable marks on smooth tiles. Choose a brush of the desired thickness, depending on what kind of drawing or ornament you have. It is advisable to paint the entire surface of the tile in two layers, after waiting for the base to dry. One layer of paint will be enough for the drawing, but it should be thicker, noticeable.
After the paint is completely dry, you should cover it with two coats of varnish so that your renewed interior stays the same bright for a long time and gets additional protection. Choose a water-based varnish, it is odorless and dries quickly.
We admit that painted tiles in the bathroom or in the kitchen are not so common today. But, we are sure that this option for updating the finish deserves attention due to its low cost, simplicity and speed of implementation..
Can anyone provide some guidance or tips on painting ceramic tiles? I’ve been considering this as a cost-effective way to update my bathroom or kitchen, but I’m not sure where to start. Any recommendations on what type of paint or primer to use? How to properly prepare the tiles for painting? And any tips on achieving a durable finish that will last? Thanks in advance for your help!