Let'due south cut to the chase – the answer's yes – you can paint ceramic tiles, merely be aware that in high-traffic or wet-prone areas, information technology'south probable that the paint volition wear away or bubble with fourth dimension. Information technology'southward merely the nature of the material since pigment volition always sit atop the ceramic tile surface. That said, information technology'southward possible to paint your ceramic floor tiles, just to exercise so properly requires diligent prep work and the employ of the right types of products. You wouldn't want your pigment to habiliment prematurely or peel without reason, and then follow these steps and piece of work carefully for the best results if you're ready to refresh the expect of your ceramic tile floors.

Have a closer await at the steps involved and then get to work. It's a nice way to revamp ceramic flooring that you're truly tired of, and after muscling through the right prep work, won't exist disappointed with the cease effect.

Clean the Tiles

Kickoff by giving the tiles a thorough wash-downward using grime-busting trisodium phosphate cleaner (TSP). TSP is sold as a pulverisation that dilutes into water and is a very potent cleaning agent capable of busting through not only clay, just grease, soot and oils on the surface of your ceramic tiles. It'south then strong that you'll need to be sure that you take proper skin protection including shoes, pants, long sleeves and heavy-duty gloves, also as excellent ventilation.

Combine a one-half-cup with a gallon of h2o – yous can go more or less full-bodied, but be enlightened that this concentration is very strong (much stronger than whatsoever all-purpose cleaner in your cabinet).

Arm yourself with a scrub brush and a variety of dry rags. Wearing gloves and shoes, wet the brush and scrub at the floor to atomize stains visible and undetectable. If yous're using a mop, ofttimes rinse and re-saturate the mop head. Moisture and scrub, and and so wipe away excess moisture using the dry rag. Repeat until all tile and grout accept been thoroughly cleaned.

Allow the cleaned, towel-dried floors to air dry out completely in the ventilated space.

Sand the Tiles

Use an orbital palm sander with fine-grit sandpaper to aid eliminate actress finishes on the tile, specially if the surface of the tile is glossy.

Utilise a clean, damp cloth to collect and elevator extra grit left over from the agitation. Removing all of the dust will be important before y'all begin to prime the floors.

Prime the Tiles

Priming the tiles is one of the most critical and frequently overlooked steps. Be certain to use a high-adhesion primer to create an ideal surround for the paint itself. High-adhesion primer volition chemically bail to the tile itself while withal creating a surface on which you tin reliably paint. Information technology volition help to forestall peeling and flaking of the paint over time. In short, it's just better and worth the few extra bucks.

Use a roller to apply the primer to the surface of the tiles and distribute information technology evenly to prevent buildup in different areas. If it's applied unevenly, you'll exist able to tell in one case information technology's painted. Permit the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer'due south guidelines.

Paint the Tiles

Painting the tiles feels like the piece of cake part in one case yous've muscled through the cleaning routine. Latex, acrylic latex and enamel paints will all perform well on the ceramic tile if y'all have used a quality high-adhesion primer to prepare the surface. Apply two to iii even coats, as needed, until you achieve full coverage.

If your intentions are to pigment a stenciled pattern onto the floor, it's best if you start with a solid painted surface that coats and seals all existing tiles and grout. One time it'southward dry, y'all tin stencil a pattern on top of that layer.