Rawlins Paints Blog Industrial Paint Tips, Guidelines & DIY Articles
Not all tiles are created equal – so if you’re looking for roof tile paint, click here instead.
Tiling is a great choice for areas subject to water, dirt, and humidity, but over time they can age poorly and replacing them is an expensive and time-consuming hassle. Painting tiles can seem difficult as conventional paints are ineffective on unprimed ceramic tiles, and the high gloss finish and low absorption of most tiling can disrupt adhesion. Because of this, many believe that interior tiles cannot be painted, however our guide will show you everything you need to update your tiling without tearing it all down.
While not the most durable method, repainting your old tiles is easier, cheaper, less time consuming, and less disruptive to a business than retiling, and will give your tiles a new lease of life.
There are many types of interior tile made from an array of materials. For this reason, manufacturers can be vague on which tiles their products can be used on, and we can’t guarantee that our recommendations are suited to your tiles. If you’re unsure, it is recommended to perform a patch test in a small, inconspicuous area to check adhesion, colour and compatibility before fully applying.
Read on below to learn how to paint over tiles on walls, floors, around fires, and for businesses – click a header to jump down the page.
Contents
How to Paint Kitchen and Bathroom Tiles
Wall Tile Paint for Dry Interiors – Kitchens, Bathrooms, Utility Rooms, etc
Wall Tile Paint for Wet Interiors – Splashbacks, Showers, Washstand Tile
Paint for Floor Tiles (Wet or Dry) – Showers, Changing Rooms, Boot Rooms, Utility Rooms
How to Paint Kitchen and Bathroom Tiles
Wall Tile Paint for Dry Interiors – Kitchens, Bathrooms, Utility Rooms, etc.
Step 1 – Surface Preparation
As with any renovation job, starting with a clean and well-prepared surface is key, as dirt, grease, dust and mould can stop the paint from sticking. First, remove any signs of organic growth and treat affected areas with Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover. Allow to dry and rinse with hot water and liquid detergent. Change the water frequently, then degrease with methylated spirit.
Pay attention to grouting as dirt can build up in the small gaps. Make sure that all dust is removed, and grout is completely dry before applying the paint.
Apply masking tape to edges, trims, and anywhere else you don’t want to paint. If there is sealant along any edges, this can be removed and resealed later, or covered with masking tape.
Step 2 – Priming
Prime the area with Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3 Primer Sealer, which is particularly effective at promoting adhesion on hard-to-stick surfaces such as tile. It also seals stains, resists mould and mildew, and is ready to recoat in just 1 hour.
Step 3 – Painting
Zinsser Perma-White Interior is ideally suited for areas with persistent humidity and poor air circulation, such as bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms and kitchens. Available in more than 4,000+ colours from RAL, NCS, and British Standard ranges, you can get creative with whatever colour you like, or you could even use stencils to create a completely unique look you won’t find anywhere else.
Wall Tile Paint for Wet Interiors – Splashbacks, Showers, Washstand Tile
Rust-oleum Tile Transformation Kit applies to existing tilework, bonding to ceramic and porcelain surfaces and grouting with no priming required. The kit contains a base, activator, roller, scrub pads, and stir stick, along with an instructional booklet and DVD to cover up to 4 square metres with a clean, white, lightly textured finish.
What You’ll Need
- Sugar Soap Cleaner
- 50mm Synthetic Paint Brush
- 100mm Roller Frame
- Paint Tray
- 50mm Masking Tape
- Lint Free Cloths/Rags
- Disposable Gloves
- Protective Glasses
- Dust Sheets
- Mop and Bucket
- Caulk
Please carefully read instructional booklet and watch DVD included in kit prior to use.
Paint for Floor Tiles (Wet or Dry) – Showers, Changing Rooms, Boot Rooms, Utility Rooms
Step 1 – Priming
Protectakote Clear Primer Treatment is ideal for materials which generally don’t allow adhesion, such as marble and glazed tiles. It is safe and easy to use, and doesn’t damage, alter or discolour the surface. Using appropriate protection, apply the product using a clean and dry paintbrush or roller. No thinning necessary – use straight from the tin.
Step 2 – Painting
Once the surface is primed, Smartkote Safekote can be applied to the area. This paint incorporates small silica particles which provides slip resistance that is comfortable on bare feet. Clear Safekote is ideal for providing an anti-slip coating on surfaces such as marble where the aesthetic appearance should be kept. The product cures with atmospheric moisture, and will be touch dry in about 2 to 4 hours and allowing light traffic after 9 hours. Full strength and chemical resistance is achieved in 4 to 7 days, so allow at least this time before subjecting to water contact.
Fireplace Surround Tile Paint
Tikkurila Muuri is a decorative heat-resistant paint that is ideal for fireplaces. Available in 9 popular colours, it does not require a separate primer.
Resistant to dry heat up to 300℃ (white, un-tinted only) or 180℃ (tinted colours), it suitable for fireplaces, firewalls, and similar interior wall surfaces exposed to higher-than-normal temperatures.
Tile Paint for your Business – Gyms, Hotels, Leisure Centres, Food/Drink Manufacturers, Commercial Kitchens
Wall Tiles (Wet or Dry)
Retiling can disrupt day-to-day activity as it’s invasive and messy, and can unearth issues that take even longer to fix. A coat of paint is ideal for a quick turnaround while leaving a suitable finish.
Step 1 – Priming
Rust-Oleum 3333 Super Adhesion Primer provides excellent adhesion on non-porous, dense mineral substrates like tiles or power floated concrete. It leaves a translucent white finish, providing a solid base for further decoration. It is also water-based with low odour and is a real cost saver with low material usage.
Step 2 – Painting
Do you need a paint that is durable, easy to clean, suitable for walls, floors and stairs, and is available in over 4000 colours? Then look no further than Rust-Oleum 9200 Rust-O-Thane. This paint assures appropriate protection against solvents, moderate alkalines, weak acids and chemical cleaning.
Both paint and primer are now also available in convenient 1 litre packaging for smaller projects. The new 2-component packaging provides the base and activator in one simple kit, the activator supplied with a user-friendly spout cap.
Alternatively, for areas where hygiene is essential you could use Rust-Oleum Biosan Aqua Plus, a water-based 2-pack anti-bacterial topcoat suitable for most mineral substrates, including tiles old concrete, and glass. It’s perfect for hospitals, kitchens, dairies, breweries, schools, and more.
Floor Tiles (Wet or Dry)
As with the wall tiles above, floor tiles should be primed first with Rust-Oleum 3333 Super Adhesion Primer, then an intermediate coat of Rust-Oleum Mathys Pegakote should be applied which dries to a very hard satin finish, providing exceptional abrasion resistance.
Finally, finish with a coat of Rust-Oleum 9200 Rust-O-Thane incorporating Rust-Oleum Non-Skid Additive NS 100. NS 100 is designed to be mixed into wet paint before application producing a subtle non-skid surface, that is easy to clean and comfortable under bare feet
Important Information
- In all instances above we cannot guarantee slip resistance levels
- Areas with water contact are expected to be maintained and dry when not in use so water contact is intermittent and not constant or submerged
- These products are not recommended in case of stagnating water and/or immersion
- A sample area should be carried out for high profile or large projects to ensure the suggested system meets the necessary requirements before proceeding
If you require more advice on painting tiles, our dedicated team of experts have a wealth of knowledge regarding our products and the industry. We’ll share our technical insight, advice and expertise to ensure we guide you to the right products for your project! Give our technical team a call on 0113 2455450 (option 2) or send a message to [email protected]