How to Paint Ceramic Tiles

Tired of your old monochromatic tiles? Here’s great news. You can give your unappealing tiles a whole new look without ripping them off and replacing them with new ones. You can actually paint ceramic tiles and make it your art canvas. You, definitely, can personalize, rejuvenate, and transform your room’s look and feel into something unique and more you. Plus, you can make this your family’s bonding activity and give each family member the freedom to express themselves through their ceramic tile painting.

Any ceramic tile can be painted, whether it’s old or new. However, you may need to consider the several things first before you start painting your old, outdated or boring ceramic tiles. If you want to paint ceramic tiles on your floor, do not paint it without covering the main entryway with a decorative rug. This area of the house is where the main traffic takes place, and you may not want this area to have cracked and tainted paint because of the shoes and slippers. If the grout of the tiles is cracked or broken, you need to repair it at least 48 hours before painting. Paint will peel off easily if it’s exposed frequently to water and moisture, so avoid painting ceramic tiles in showers or baths. Painted ceramic tiles are not the best place for your hot pans and skillets.You will need to wait for at least two weeks for the paint to completely dry.
If you are willing to consider all that, then you are set to paint ceramic tiles on your counter, walls, or anywhere you like. Here are the things that you need to get started: Fine grade sandpaper, masking tape, low nap rollers, Trisodium phosphate, paint brushes, epoxy primer, and epoxy paint.
With all these handy, just follow these steps:

• Clean the tile thoroughly with a commercial tile cleaner to rub out the mildew, dust and dirt.
• Very glossy tiles need sanding with a 220-grit sandpaper to wipe away the gloss for you to be able to paint on the tile. Glossy tiles don’t hold paint. Dust off the debris from the sanding and apply the primer.
• Tape over any areas you do not want painted. You would not want having those tainted with paint.
• Use a high-quality oil-based primer that has adhesive. This will ensure that your design sticks to the tile. Allow at least 24 hours for your primer to dry or read packaging instructions.
• Apply a second coat of primer after the first coat has dried off thoroughly.
• Using another 220-grit sandpaper, sand on the primer again to ensure a smooth surface for your paint.
• Use a thin paint brush to paint creative designs of your choice. You may want to use a pencil to draw your designs first. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before you paint in another coat.
• Use semi-gloss or high gloss top coats to ensure protection for your work. A water-based urethane finish is a wise pick. Apply several thin coats, instead of one thick coat, allowing six hours after every coat.