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Paint Tiles - Check How To Choose Tile Paint

Tile painting. How to paint a ceramic tile?

By Praveen KumarPublished about a year ago 6 min read
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Your bathroom floor tiles that looked amazing several years ago probably aren't so amazing now. They may look unsightly, outdated, or just plain boring. Do you want to change the interior? A complete tile replacement involves a lot of expense and time spent renovating your bathroom or kitchen. Wondering if you can avoid it? Of course, it's easy! You can completely change the interior if you paint the tiles. The right tile paint and a few accessories will help you transform the room in just one weekend. Check what tile paint is on the market and which products are the best.

Paint tile - a quick makeover

Ceramic tiles are quite a resistant material. However, the longer the tiles are fired, the less radiant they become. The tiles lose their original shine, as well as the color of the grout, which fades. However, tile replacement can be quite expensive and excessively tiring. Usually, this makeover means hiring a construction crew or sacrificing your own free time to do such a renovation yourself. Not everyone can afford it.

For this reason, keeping the old tiles and painting them can be a good idea for a quick and easy interior renovation. Just painting the tiles, you don't need to tear them out. Compared to a complete bathroom or kitchen renovation, it is also much cheaper. Being so fast, painting tiles is perfect for people who often change the decoration of the room at any given time. Tile paint can be applied multiple times. Just follow the product instructions. You can also remove the product and put a new one on the surface.

Painting ceramic tiles is not difficult and does not require hiring a specialist. You can do such a makeover by yourself. The only trick is to choose the right tile paint and make sure the tiles are well prepared. No special tools are needed.

An additional advantage of such a renovation is the fact that it does not generate any noise. Therefore, you don't have to worry about the peace of your neighbors. Tile painting won't fill your interior with dust and grime like changing tiles. The entire procedure is relatively easy and quick to do. It can be done in the course of a single day, and the maximum time is three days. The time depends on the type of tile paint and the number of coats.

Choosing the right tile paint

Manufacturers offer a rather limited selection of products suitable for painting tiles. You can buy two-part tile paints. Their biggest advantage is the fact that they do not require the use of a primer before painting. You should apply it if you choose the other type, a paint part.

• Tile paint can also be used to paint materials such as metal, glass, concrete, plastic, and decorative stone. The products available on the market are:

• Epoxy paint - this type of tile paint is highly resistant to abrasion and the use of detergents. They are diluted with water. Using epoxy tile paint is nice as it does not produce any strong odor.

• Alkyd Urethane Paint - Typically used for metal, but can also serve as a tile paint. It produces a strong and resistant layer, making it perfect for painting tiles on the floor.

• Acrylic Tile Paint - These products are made specifically for use on tiles. Unlike ordinary products of this type, acrylic tile paint is waterproof. It can be used to cover glass and metal.

The paint typically used for walls is not suitable for painting kitchen or bathroom tiles. Such paint would not stick to the smooth surface of the tile and would only flow downwards. However, if a good primer is used before painting the tiles, it can be covered with latex or oil paint. Make sure the product you choose is washable, as tiles are often laid in rooms with high humidity.

Such a solution could be beneficial if a wide color gamut is required. Unfortunately, the choice of tile paint colors is quite narrow.

Keep in mind that the paint used for wall tiles may not necessarily be used for floor tiles. The paint on the floor tiles must be highly resistant to abrasion. Wall tiles, especially those in a non-curling shower, must be covered by a waterproof surface, immune to detergents. To decide which tile paint is best for your needs, think about the finish you want. Satin and matt surfaces are very elegant, while glossy tiles will make the room appear larger.

Tile painting. How to paint a ceramic tile?

Interior transformation with the use of tile paint is not a difficult task. For satisfactory results, before painting one should prepare accordingly:

• Look for any holes or cracks in your tiles. Fill them with silicone sealant or a special type of glue. The surface should be as smooth as possible.

• Thoroughly wash and degrease each tile, using a special degreasing agent. Make sure the surface is completely dry.

• Remove old seals and silicone. Then apply a new sealant.

It is worth sanding the tiles, which will make painting much easier. This way the tile paint and primer adhere better to the surface. Use fine sandpaper or a sanding sponge. It is especially important in places with high humidity, such as the shower, and on the floor. After sanding, make sure the tiles are well dusted.

If you use a primer, use the appropriate product for painting tiles. One or two coats of primer is enough. When you apply the primer, you start with the grout and work your way up to the tiles.

Before you start painting, secure all items that are not going to be covered with paint. Usually these are light switches, sockets and sinks. Do it, use duct tape.

Paint - how to use tile paint?

If the surface has been properly prepared, you can proceed and start painting the tiles. It is better to do it during dry and windy weather. If possible, open the window. It will keep you from inhaling the fumes and will make the paint dry faster. Mix the product exactly as the manufacturer recommends. The best tool for painting tiles is the sponge roller. Do not use the brush as it will leave visible marks on the surface. Another method is spray painting, however it can be quite difficult. This procedure requires the use of special equipment.

After applying the first layer, leave it for 16-24 hours. Then you can repaint the tiles. When floor tiles are painted, three coats should be applied. Be sure to spread the paint as thin as possible to avoid an uneven surface.

If you use epoxy paint for the tiles, you can add an additional layer of clear varnish on top. Floor tiles can be covered with a layer of special non-slip varnish. Remember to reapply silicone sealant where needed.

Tile paint becomes fully functional after a while of application. Surface hardening can take up to 20 days. Therefore, the tiles cannot be washed or cleaned immediately after drying. When the layers are still hardening, it is easy to damage them. Be careful not to hit the surface and not to drop anything on it.

You can paint your tiles in a single color, however it is not the only possibility. You can, for example, create a checkerboard pattern. To do this, secure each of the other tiles with masking tape after the first layer dries. Then you just have to paint the remaining tiles using a contrasting color. Another good idea is to use special stencils with decorative patterns.

Painting the tiles is the best solution for a quick and easy kitchen or bathroom renovation. Its biggest advantage is the low price, especially compared to tile replacement. All one needs to buy are painting tools, good tile paint, and various additional materials. Painting the tiles is a great idea for an effective and effortless renovation. You can do it yourself, which will give you much satisfaction.

Which tile paint is the best?

All available tile paint is good. When choosing a product, one must consider their own needs and expectations. Tile paint for the floor must have a high resistance to abrasion.

Which tile paint is the most durable?

Alkyd urethane paints make the surfaces stronger. They are resistant to abrasion, which is the biggest advantage. They can be used to paint metallic elements.

How long does tile paint dry?

A single coat of tile paint dries in approximately 16-24 hours. Wait at least 16 hours before covering the surface with another layer. The paint hardens completely after 20 days.

How much does tile paint cost?

The cost depends on the particular brand of paint. When planning the painting of the tiles one must consider several points. The size of the surface and the number of coats that tile painting requires are the most important.

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