Can You Paint Kitchen Tiles?
The answer is definitely yes! Whether you’re seeking to update the visual aesthetic of the bath or kitchen tiles but lacking in time or resources to undertake a complete re-tile, painting the floor tiles might just be a good alternative. The ability to use any paint color, design and texture that you like provides complete customization options. Painting your tiles additionally gives you the opportunity to check if you prefer a particular color, and when you do, you could go ahead and utilize that color as an idea for re-tiling further on. Do-it-yourself enthusiasts and those looking for a new repair job will find painting flooring to be an excellent weekend task. If you enjoy doing it by yourself, this is an ideal weekend activity. We have rounded up everything that you need to know in painting kitchen tiles.
How to Paint the Kitchen Tiles?
If the bathroom is appearing a little antiquated and could do with a makeover, but your finances or timetable won’t allow you to go through with a complete re-tiling project, painting the tiles is a terrific, but more temporary, solution. Getting the intricacies right is essential in painting floor tiles, and appropriate preparation cannot be overstated! Painting your tiles gives you a great deal of concept versatility, the ability to make the bathroom seem exactly however you want it. Old or unsightly tiles can be revitalized to appear as good as it looks with a little effort. There is an extra benefit in that you will be saving money while also getting a sense as to how fresh tiling will appear. Read and follow the steps below on how to make your tiles at home look refreshing.
Step 1: Clean the Area
Before beginning the procedure, you’ll have to deep clean the surfaces to guarantee that all filth and grease have been removed from the surface and that you have a clear, clean surface on which to paint. Put on your scrubbing gloves and a mask before you begin this task. Mold and dirt removers could be toxic to the airways, so it’s advisable to use caution when using these products.
As soon as you have finished cleaning the surface, use your sugary detergent to thoroughly clean up the area and check that it is clear of any mildew, filth, or other waste. Using a gentle cleanser and a moist towel, properly clean the tiling. In the case that there are any food smears or grime on the tiles, the primer and paint will not adhere effectively to them. To ensure a completely smooth surface, properly clean the tile surface with a flooring agent or with sugary soap and a scrubbing cloth before applying the sealant.
Step 2: Sand the Tiles
Fine-grit sandpaper is highly recommended to be used to sand the tiles. After the area has dried, softly sand the tiles to scrape the area, utilizing 220-grit sandpaper for tiles to achieve the desired effect. It will eliminate any gloss from the surface and aid in the adhesion of the fresh paint.
Once the area has been sanded, you’ll have to brush away any residual grit or dust using a moist cloth to ensure that the finish is smooth. Allow the tiles to fully dry for a day; after all of the preparatory work, you would like to be absolutely certain that the paint will adhere to the tiling. If you have a vast area to sand, an electrical sander would speed up the process go more quickly and efficiently.
Step 3: Clean the Existing Grout
The very last option you really want is gorgeous, shiny tiles with unclean grouting in the gaps somewhere between them. Using an old brush, one could dig into the crevices and remove as much of the filth as one can from the surface of the water. Make sure all the grouting and tiling are in good condition and just not damaged or cracked in order to achieve a smooth, unified look. If you have damaged tiles or loose grout in the bathroom or kitchen, we suggest replacing or restoring them. You have an option of working on this alone or hiring a contractor to install the new tiling.
Step 4: Tape the Areas Not to be Painted
Protect the perimeter of the workspace using masking tape. Use painter’s tape to outline your specified region, ensure to use long lines of tape to provide you a neater border and push down carefully on the tape to ensure it stays in place. To finish up, sweep the tiling down with a moist cloth to remove any remaining debris, and then clear the scene for an hour to make sure that it is totally dry before continuing. Mask any places that you don’t want to be painted. When upgrading kitchen or bathroom tiles, remove them all from the area and protect fittings and surfaces with plastic wrap. Tape any corners wherever you wouldn’t want the paint to spill.
Step 5: Prime the Surface
Epoxy primer of the superior grade should be applied to the tiling. Preferably, you should buy primer from the local equipment store or paint retailer and spread it evenly in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines. Wait for drying and curing of the primer; dry durations may differ tremendously based on the type of primer used, so be sure to follow the manual on your given product thoroughly. Selecting the most appropriate primer for your particular tiles will expect to receive the finest possible outcome.
Step 6: Paint the Tiles
To guarantee that the paint is applied properly, stir the mixture. Fill the paint onto the pan in the very same manner as you did the primer and paint it straight to the tiling with a paintbrush and rollers, following the very same procedure as you did with the priming. Apply two coats of paint to provide the best coverage possible, and complete by running a new roller over the tiles one more time to make sure that the paint is uniformly distributed throughout the surface.
Delicate, slanted brushes are best for the borders, whereas rollers are best for broader regions. To begin, use a brush to paint around the borders and in difficult-to-reach locations such as nooks. If you have a broad region to paint, a roller will allow you to complete the tiles more quicker. To prevent conflicting brushwork, begin inside one side and move the brushwork or roller across the tiles, and then across the entire space or wall, starting on one side. Because a roller will not penetrate the grouting, it is necessary to use a brush in the painting here too.
Step 7: Apply Additional Grout
It’s a good idea to use a sealer on the tiling to ensure that they are long-lasting and resistant to moisture and grease. Paint sealants are designed to bind flawlessly with the layer of paint that they are applied. They build a tough, crystal coating on top of the paint to protect it from further excessive wear over time. When applying the sealant, utilize the pan and rollers to ensure even application. Complete the grouting. As soon as the paint has hardened and you’re pleased with the outcomes, you could use a grouting pen to refresh the routes on the walls.
What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Painting Tiles?
People are interested in exploring ways to update and renovate their houses, and many frequently find themselves torn here between the options of painting their tiles or not painting their tiles. This is due to the fact that painting the flooring is both economical and practical. A beautifully painted tile floor would enhance the beauty of the area, but an improperly painted tiling will detract from the overall appearance of the space. There are advantages and disadvantages to painting a tile floor. As a result, it is critical to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of paint before beginning.
Benefits
Cheap Upgrade
Tiles are the most cost-effective option available. Floor tile paint can help you save money by reducing your work time and expense, which is especially important when you’re doing it alone. Because the technique is straightforward, it decreases the number of jobs to be completed as well as the amount of time it takes to perform them.
You could adjust your spending as per your economic state. Tiles can also be used as a much more economical alternative to more expensive products. In the event that you adore marble but do not wish to employ it as a floor covering because of the difficulties it possesses, tiles will come in handy. Only choose the kinds that have the appearance of marble floors. The same may be said for tiles that appear like they are constructed of timber.
Versatile Alternative
Painting over the tiling offers you greater freedom to experiment with other colors and patterns, and it provides you the opportunity to create a floor that is precisely what you prefer. The best aspect is that you have the option of repainting whenever you want, so you are not restricted to any certain style or design. Be mindful that lighter, bolder colors are best for compact bathrooms because darker colors have the tendency of making small rooms appear much more constricting than they already are.
Highly Durable
This is, without a doubt, the most advantageous trait that tiles possess. Due to the fact that they are extremely resistant to the effects of moisture, they are commonly utilized in baths, kitchens, or even flooring. The same cannot be said for any other construction materials available in the very same budget range in the same stylistic class. Even stone has pores in it! Our knowledge of tiles would’ve been incomplete unless we had had full knowledge of their drawbacks as well.
Drawbacks
Tiles Become Fragile
It’s good that these are lightweight. However, there are also drawbacks to having that advantage. If something heavy were to fall from a tiled floor or wall, it would shatter on collision. If you miss even just a number of tiles from your floor or wall, you may have to rebuild the entire flooring or wall since obtaining the identical tile after several generations is not always simple.
Time-Consuming
The amount of time spent on the bathroom floor is entirely reliant on your pace and the amount of time it takes you to finish the work in the question, and it is not calculated. The intricacy of your layout and pattern, as well as the drying conditions for the primer, sealer, and paint, all play a role in the amount of time it will take. It could take as little as a weekend to complete this task or as much as a week or week after.
Band-aid Solution
Paint may be applied over practically all tiles, apart from glossy quarrying tiles, that do not adhere well enough to paint and should be avoided. The paint, on the other hand, will stay longer in areas where it is not exposed to dampness or backsplashes. Long-term exposure can lead the paint to begin to peel and flake off, and you will need to perform periodic re-applications and touch-ups.