How to Paint Tile
Add a splash of color in a snap
- Patching knife
- Orbital sander or sandpaper block
- Dropcloth
- Paint trays
- At least two paint brushes or rollers
- Protective gloves
- Protective mask
- Cleaning solution (or dish soap)
- Tile or epoxy paint
- Paint primer
Tiles add dimension and functionality to a room, but what if they're just not the color or style you want? Installing new tile can be disruptive and expensive, but it turns out that you have a low-cost alternative to make your home decor truly your style. This guide will walk you through how to paint tile and achieve your desired aesthetic.
Prepping to Paint Tile
First, make sure you have a plan in place so that the area you want to paint can be left undisturbed while the paint dries and cures. It may not make sense to paint the floor tiles in a high-traffic area if that’s the only way in and out of the house, for example. Keep in mind that while most kinds of tile can be painted, ceramic tiles take to paint best. Painting shower interiors will not last regardless of the type of paint used, however.
When shopping for paint for this project, look for tile paint specifically (latex paint is a poor choice for tile painting). Enamel paint, one-part epoxy paint, two-part epoxy paint, and two-process paints are also options. Epoxy paints and enamel are excellent choices for high-traffic areas.
How to Paint Tile
Painting tiles is a fun and inexpensive alternative to tearing them out, which shouldn't even be necessary if they're still functional. The process involves cleaning and inspecting the tiles, sanding them, priming them, painting them, and finishing with a sealant. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to give your tiles a makeover:
Clean the Tiles
Photo: ETAP / Adobe StockSince paint won't adhere to a grimy surface, scrub the tiles that you want to paint. Basic household cleaners, or dish soap and water, will get the job done on most tiles.
If you want to paint kitchen backsplash tiles, you may need to do a second or third pass with degreasing dish soap to ensure that the tiles are totally clean.
Inspect the Tiles and Grout
Once the tiles are clean, inspect them for cracks and chips. If you see any, put on your protective gloves and fill the cracks with caulk and a patching knife.
Inspect the surrounding grout while gloved, and apply small dabs of grout in areas where it's missing. If large amounts of grout are chipped off, it may need to be removed and regrouted entirely before resuming the tile painting job.
If you see signs of severe damage, ask a local tile contractor if you’re better off ripping the tiles out and addressing any underlying issues.
Sand the Tiles
Most tiles have glaze for aesthetics and to protect their color or design. This glaze must be sanded off so that the paint will properly adhere to the surface. Depending on the size of the area you want to paint and how many tiles there are, you may be able to manually sand the surface with a sanding block and 100-grit sandpaper. This may be doable for a small area like a backsplash. An orbital sander will make the job much faster and easier if you are sanding a large area, like an entire wall.
Whether you’re using sandpaper or an orbital sander, be gentle with your motions, ensuring that you're sanding the surface but not stripping it completely.
Prime the Tiles
Lay down the dropcloth in the area where paint drips are most likely to occur. Cover the wall edges, and any adjacent fixtures, with painter’s tape.
Make sure the area is well-ventilated, then put on your protective gloves and mask. Pour some primer into a paint tray, then use a paint brush or roller to apply it to the sanded tiles. Applying primer is important if you don’t want darker colors or designs to appear under the new tile colors. It will also help your paint job last longer.
Paint the Tiles
Photo: MarioGuti / E+ / Getty ImagesPour some of your tile paint (or epoxy paint) into another paint tray, then apply it to the primed tiles with a paintbrush or roller. Once you've painted the tiles to your liking, allow 24 to 48 hours for it to dry.
Add Any Embellishments
You can achieve different designs with stencils, painter’s tape, or freehand painting. If you'd like a more uniform pattern, stencils are the best option. You may need to let each tile repetition dry before applying the stencil to the next one.
Apply a Sealant
Once all desired colors and patterns are dry, add a coat of clear polyurethane sealant to preserve them. Let it dry for another 24-48 hours, or according to manufacturer directions.
Paint and sealant each need sufficient time to dry. Humidity, ventilation, temperature, and other factors will affect drying time as well.
Read the paint manufacturer's instructions for curing time. The surface should be avoided during the curing period, which may be as little as four days but could take 30 days or longer. If you paint the floor, the room should be avoided until fully cured.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Painting tile is very doable for DIYers. It can cost as little as $75 to buy tile paint and other painting supplies. Depending on the amount of paint needed and the type used, it can cost as much as $150 to $200 to do it yourself.
If you’d like to have someone else do the job due to time or physical limitations, you don’t need a specialized contractor. A handyperson costs an average of $50 to $150 per hour, not including materials.
Whether you get help from a contractor or not, painting tiles costs far less than the cost to install new tiles, which averages $2,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Like any painted surface, tile paint can peel and chip over time. However, tile paint can become especially susceptible to peeling during periods of high humidity. Other sources of excess moisture will also cause tile paint to peel faster than normal. And if the tiles are in a high-traffic area, like the entryway floor, tile paint will chip and peel faster.
How long painted tiles last ultimately comes down to the quality of the paint job and how much wear and tear the tiles get. It’s possible the paint job will only last about six months if the tiles are in a high-traffic area and they weren’t properly cleaned, sanded, and primed prior to painting and sealing. Well-painted tiles in a low-traffic area should last at least a year.
Whether you use a brush or roller depends on the size, shape, and amount of tiles. Rollers are easier to maneuver over large areas and can apply a more even coat of paint in a shorter time frame with no visible brushstrokes. Brushes are best for precision work, particularly in very small areas. If you don't want visible brushstrokes on your painted tiles, you can paint details with small foam brushes instead of bristled paint brushes.
