If you’ve thought about changing up the looks inside your home, it doesn’t have to get overwhelming. An easy place to start is with painting tile. Many homes today contain tile floors and walls.
Over thirty percent of homeowners complain about their flooring. One of the reasons you should paint tile is because you may not like the color scheme. If you want to know how to paint tile, keep reading for our top ten pro tips!
1. Clean Before You Paint Tile
Prep work is part of knowing how to paint tile. Everything collects dirt and dust, so you want to start with a clean surface. You don’t want filth and grime left over after you do the work.
Why paint tile if it will look worse than before you started the job? No matter the location in your home, things get dirty. Using some soap and water or other mild detergents will clean mildew and stains.
Get a scrub brush for rough areas. Keep saturating the tile with a cleaning solution until it is free of dirt. Dry with a clean towel before you paint.
2. Scrape Before You Paint
Use a scraper to remove any old sealant. Sometimes there can be more silicone than you needed. That needs to get scraped away before your paint.
One of the reasons you should paint tile is to renew the look. Leaving behind old sealants won’t help your cause. It may take some time, but you want a clean finish when painting tile.
3. Make Repairs
After you clean and remove the sealant, you need to check the tiles for any issues. Are there cracks you need to repair before painting? One of the tips for painting tile is to start with a perfect surface.
If you need to get rid of extra finish on the tile, you can use a sander. Use a mop or wet towel to remove any dust left from sanding.
4. Use Proper Tools to Paint Tile
One of the best tips for painting tile is to have all your tools in place. You don’t want to make repeated trips to the hardware store for forgotten items. Get everything you need together before you start the job.
You will need paintbrushes, rollers, tape, and any protective gear you want to use. Keep some clean cloths handy in case you need to wipe any areas down.
5. The Right Paint
When painting tile, you want to make sure you use the correct paint. You can choose latex or epoxy paint. You can paint tile with either one of these.
Latex paint is a popular choice, but knowing how to paint tile with epoxy may come in handy. Make sure you get the epoxy paint made for painting tile and apply at least two coats.
With latex paint, it’s good to use a primer first. Some people don’t know how to paint tile, so they don’t let the primer dry before they begin painting. That can result in a messy job that looks bad.
Epoxy paint costs a little more than latex. It’s also more durable when painting tile, so you can use it around tubs or areas that get a lot of moisture from water.
6. Remember Ventilation
While painting tile, you can inhale some harsh fumes. Proper ventilation means getting some air circulating in the area. Leave doors open and have a fan running when you paint tile.
If you find that you need more ventilation, you can get a painting mask. That will keep you from inhaling harmful fumes. Most people won’t need these for small jobs.
7. Priming the Tile
Some people don’t prime the tiles, especially when using epoxy paint. Most experts still recommend two coats of primer when teaching how to paint tile. A primer will bond to the tile and create a better surface for painting.
Primer may also help prevent flaking and chipping in the future. You need to use a roller and apply it with even strokes. You are laying the groundwork for painting tile, so you want it as perfect as possible.
8. Paint the Tile
Painting tile should be simple once the other steps get done. You have a clean, smooth surface to use that’s ready for you to start painting tile.
You can use two to three coats of paint. Some people only paint one coat if it’s a large job, but that could result in having to paint again soon. It takes more time to let the paint dry and add another coat, but it’s worth it in the end.
As with the primer, use even strokes. One of the reasons you should paint tile is to have a home you can appreciate. You don’t want a job that doesn’t get done right.
9. Sealing the Tile
After learning how to paint tile, you should complete the paint job by sealing the tile. That will protect the tile from scratches and scuff marks. You can use a clear sealer that won’t show up.
If you want the grout to look good, it needs to get sealed. That will also help keep it clean against any dirt or spills.
Over time grout gets dark and dingy looking. The tile won’t look as clean because of the look of the grout. It can also get exposed to humidity and moisture that causes it to break down.
10. Give It Time
One of the worst things you can do after learning how to paint tile is to use it too soon. Allow plenty of time before you use the area again.
A good rule of thumb is to give space two full days before you use it. Why paint tile if you get it wet before it dries and have to do it again? Give it some time, and you will have a brand new surface that lasts for years to come.
Learning How to Paint Tile
Painting tile is sometimes left to professionals because people get nervous about it. They think it could be too daunting to make it a DIY project.
With our helpful guide, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can go from beginner to expert on the same day! Be sure to follow our blog for more helpful home tips and tricks!
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