How to Paint Over Ceramic Wall Tiles

A regular question that we get asked is: "Can I paint over my kitchen or bathroom tiles?". In short, the simple answer is YES, you absolutely can, however there are some steps that you need to take to guarantee a successful job.

In this project we take a look at exactly how to paint ceramic tiles the right way. If you are interested in tiling over existing tiles, see our tiling over ceramic tiles project.

What’s the Problem With Painting Ceramic Tiles?

Painting ceramic tiles can seem like an easy and cost-effective way to refresh your space, but it comes with several challenges that need to be overcome to ensure a successful job.

The first and most significant issue is that of adhesion. Ceramic tiles are designed to be waterproof so they are almost completely non-porous, which makes it hugely difficult for paint to stick properly. Even with thorough sanding and the use of primers, paint can still peel, chip, or wear away over time, especially in high-traffic areas or places exposed to high moisture like bathrooms and kitchens.

Another major issue is durability. Painted tiles are nowhere near as resilient as their original glazed surfaces and everyday activities, such as walking on tiled floors or splashing water in tiled showers, can quickly degrade the paint.

This wear and tear not only makes the tiles look unsightly but also means you may need to repaint them frequently, which can be both time-consuming and costly.

In addition to the above, there is also the matter of aesthetics. While painting can temporarily change the colour and appearance of your tiles, achieving a perfectly smooth and even finish is hugely challenging.

Brush marks, roller lines, and uneven paint coverage are common problems when painting any surface, let alone tiles. Furthermore, painted tiles lack the glossy finish of original ceramic tiles, which can make your efforts look less professional and polished.

Despite the above, if you use the correct paint, prepare your surfaces correctly and take your time actually doing the work, you can get some pretty decent results!

What Kind of Paint to Use on Ceramic Tiles?

One of the key considerations when painting ceramic tiles is using the right type of paint. As said above, one of the major issues comes in the fact that ceramic tiles are non-porous so the paint can’t actually bond to the tiles once laid on.

Despite this, there are several types of paint that can be used on ceramic tiles and does indeed stick as it should do and these are latex, acrylic and enamel-based paints.

Some of the best that we have used in the past are those from Zinsser such as their Bulls Eye 1.2.3 or their B.I.N.

Additionally, you should also use a good quality, highly adhesive undercoat along with your good quality top coat to guarantee that it will bond correctly to a tiles surface.

The addition of a good quality or undercoat will create a solid and stable base for your top coat, helping it to remain in place for a good long while.

Again, when it comes to primers and undercoats you should opt for a good quality acrylic or latex-based version.

Can you Paint Over Grout?

Yes, you can indeed paint over grout in the same way you can paint over tiles, however it does require careful preparation and the right materials to ensure it stays in place and doesn’t fail.

In terms of preparation, any grout should be thoroughly cleaned to remove any mould or mildew and then it should be correctly sealed to prevent any future discolouring or peeling.

Tools Needed for Painting Over Ceramic Tiles

In order to get the best finish possible when painting tiled surfaces, you will need the following tools and products:

• Chosen acrylic/latex topcoat
• Good quality acrylic/latex primer
• 120 – 200 grit sandpaper
• Plenty of dust sheets
• Masking tape
• Clean cloth (for dust removal)
• Vacuum
• Good quality paint brushes or rollers
• Stiff brush, scourer etc.
• Grout sealer

How to Paint Over Ceramic Tiles

As with many jobs in the building and DIY trade, the overall success, no matter what it is, often comes down to how well the surface you’re working on has been prepared and this is certainly no different for painting tiles.

Once correctly prepared you can then go ahead and finish off with your desired top coat!

If you really want to go ahead and paint a given ceramic tiled surface, then simply work carefully through the steps below:

Step 1 – Clean Grout and Tiles

Firstly, the grout needs to be prepared to remove any traces of mould, mildew and other grease and grime. Use a strong grout cleaner and a stiff brush to scrub all the grout lines clean. Rinse well and allow the grout to dry completely once done.

Also, repeat for the tiles themselves. Soap and body wash scum can build up on surfaces creating a greasy film that can easily prevent paint from bonding so this also needs to be removed.

Step 2 – Seal Grout

Once the grout is clean and dry, next apply a grout sealer to prevent moisture from seeping through and causing the paint to peel or discolor.

Choose a sealer specifically designed for grout. Allow the sealer to dry as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 3 – Sand Tiles Over

Sanding the tiles is a key step as it creates a rough surface that the paint can use as a key and adhere to.

Use fine-grit sandpaper (around 220-grit) to lightly sand the entire surface of the tiles to rough up the gloss coating and form the required key.

Once fully sanded, wipe down the tiles with a damp cloth to remove any dust and then give everything a good vacuum.

If you inadvertently sand over any areas of grout that you have sealed, then touch these back up with more sealer to ensure everything is as it should be.

Step 4 – Repair Cracks and Damage

Next, look over the entire tiles surface you’re going to be working on and inspect it for any cracks or chips. Any such damage will have to be repaired before you apply any paint.

Fill these imperfections with a two-part epoxy or a ready-mixed filler. Smooth the filler with a putty knife and let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Once fully dry, sand the filled areas lightly to ensure they are level with the rest of the tile surface.

For any raised areas or steps, try and feather these out as best you can. Again, if you damage any sealed areas, re-coat with sealer.

Step 5 – Protect Surroundings

Before any form of painting takes place, you should first protect any and all surrounding areas from paint splatters.

Use masking tape to cover the edges of the tiles, grout lines, and any fixtures nearby. Ensure you tape up accurately and don’t miss any edges etc.

Once masked up, lay down dust sheets or old newspapers to protect any floors and work-surfaces.

If any items are moveable, then remove as many of these as you can.

Step 6 – Apply Primer

Once everything has been prepared correctly, its then time to start getting some paint on, beginning with the required undercoat or primer.

As we have mentioned, opt only for a high-quality, bonding primer that is designed for glossy surfaces such as an acrylic or latex version.

In terms of actually getting it on the wall, apply the primer with a good quality roller or a brush, ensuring even coverage as you apply it.

Try to use a smooth action to minimise roller or brush strokes and keep the finish as flat as possible.

Allow the first primer coat to dry completely, following the drying time indicated on the product label.

If you have any pronounced brush or roller strokes, use a fine grit sand paper to rub them out and then wipe over with a damp cloth to remove any dust.

Once the first coat is totally dry, apply a second coat using the same methods detailed above.

Step 7 – Apply Topcoat

Once your base primer coats have fully cured, the final task now is to apply your finishing top coat.

As said, only ever use a good quality acrylic or latex-based top coat paint and again, use good quality brushes or rollers to minimise visible strokes.

Apply your first coat and then allow a good 24 hours to dry and then finally apply your finishing top coat and you’re done, top job!

Although many recommend that you don’t paint over ceramic tiles due to the fact that the finish can sometimes be quite questionable and also that it can fail quite quickly, if you take your time and prepare surfaces in the right way, there’s no reason why you can’t get a finish to be proud of.