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Guide For Paint Bathroom Tiles - Can I Paint It? Why?

By Tileswale

Has someone suggested you paint the bathroom tiles? Maybe they were having a bad day and just go 'yaaargh!'. Well don't get paranoid - there are some good reasons for painting them - so as long as you follow instructions and coatings of paint it is quite safe to do this kind of DIY job.

So why paint your tiles?

In truth, there are lots of reasons to do so. Here is a list of a few:

They look dated or old If they are cracked They have marks on them that cannot be removed They fade from ultraviolet light in the sun You want to change their color so it better suits you - maybe you like green but your partner wants blue. In this case it is better take off the existing ones and replace them with new colour tiles rather than painting the real ones because once you start painting them making changes becomes virtually impossible without stripping all the work down again. There is also another reason for doing this kind of job - if the previous person was a DIY 'bodge' who when cleaning  up spilt paint on the tiles, or smeared it around on the walls - what better way to clean up a DIY 'bodge' mess than by painting over it?

You should not worry about how long the tiles have been in situ either. However, if redecoration is necessary due to damage rather than just changing a colour scheme then please make sure you carry out any repair work before you start tiling your bathroom. This will ensure that the new tiles are fixed firmly into place before they get covered with paint.

Does painting bathroom tiles really work?

Yes, it really does work to paint the walls and tiles in your bathroom. When you start out painting your bathroom you are going to be concerned about how well it will stick onto those tiled surfaces, especially if these have been on for a few years. But all you need do is find some basic information on what makes up the wall tile product that you are using.

The majority of the tiles used in bathrooms usually contain ordinary cement mixed with whatever colour pigments they want to use (if any). It takes a little bit of time before a painted layer dries enough so that people can scrub and clean or even walk over them without damaging them - if at all possible try not too! If you do then remove as much paint as you can before it dries out.

Also remember that it will be a while before the paint sticks to them, even if they are relatively new tiles. Don't give up hope because paint is not an instantly quick drying material and so please be patient. If in doubt - leave it for longer than you think!

Paint is actually more durable if the walls are damp when painted on - this isn't as gross as it sounds - trust me! It can also help to adhere better onto surfaces with a coating of water-based primer such as TSP (trisodium phosphate) or MIPA (methylene iso propyl acetate).

How can you cover bathroom tiles cheaply?

If you are on a tight budget, you can use the stuff called bathroom wall paint, which costs quite little and is great for covering older tiles that have become scratched or even peeling.

You can also layer several coats of cheaper paints to get a built up effect too - just keep painting until your heart's content! Basic but cheap acrylic bathroom wall paint layers really well, giving a good finish. This kind of job is ideal if you don't want to spend money on expensive bathroom wall tile paint and primers but still want to make over your room in an affordable way!

How do I prepare my walls for painting?

This may seem obvious but it has been asked before so let me stress this point again - PRIME YOUR WALLS! This is essential because it will not only prevent the paint from soaking into the surface of your bathroom tiles, but will make them more resistant to any etching or 'pulling' effects that may happen when you shower.

For newer tiles, you should use a chemical primer - this also helps to adhere better onto surfaces/grouts etc. If the grout isn't sealed then a good tiling sealant like Tile Doctor Colour Grow (Tile Grout Dye) can be used as an alternative to normal primers for older original bathroom tiles. Sprayable products such as Kilz Primer Sealer are viable alternatives but they do tend to smell quite chemically and so have limited uses.

Before painting your walls using bathroom tile paints, you can also use a TSP solution as a roughing up agent before you paint on the wall tiles - any really loose stuff will come away.

Directly after your preparation work has been done, it is important to let the surface dry for at least 48 hours (24-72 hour drying times are recommended for new tiles and grouts). This will allow any of the chemicals that have been used to treat your bathroom tiles enough time to fully evaporate from the surface of your walls. If there are more than one coat of colours then extend this time out even longer because this process takes time!

What type of paint should be used?

People who want their bathroom tiled paint job to last for years will need to use high quality paints and primers. Cheap bathroom wall paint that is too thin, can easily crack because it has not been applied thick enough or if the surface is uneven. If you want a really permanent job then your painting needs to be of an excellent standard - Don't skimp!

The best advice for a quality finish on your bathroom tiles is to make sure that you invest in some good quality bathroom tile paint that's rich in colour pigments and thicker than normal. This way you will achieve a fantastic finish that will last years longer than most other types of bathroom wall tile paint jobs would manage.

You should also choose bathroom tiles & grout paints with higher levels of resistance to water absorption - this protects against weathering without affecting your ability to clean the tiles!

Use high quality tile paints & grout colours

It is also important to choose a colour that you like for your bathroom wall tiling paint job - don't just think about the practicalities of choosing bathroom tiles and grouting, consider how these will look when painted too.

If your bathroom wall painting is very simple it may be worth looking into using solid colours or even white if you prefer it. These are a lot easier to get right compared to patterns because there isn't anything complicated that needs masking off (such as lines) or filling in afterwards! But make sure you have chosen the right shade because it's harder than you think to change this later on if you get it wrong! If you are thinking about painting bathroom tiles with patterns on then bear in mind that these can be a lot harder to get right and have more room for error. You will need to plan out exactly where your design is going so that you mask off all of the areas while they are being painted. It can also be hard to tell whether colours are matching up afterwards if it has not been done properly or things have changed between coats!

Most of the time, people who choose patterned designs for their bathroom wall tile paint jobs tend to stick with pretty simple shapes - small patterns look great but there's nothing wrong with large solid blocks either!

Why do I need a specialist tile sealer?

You may already use a normal 'paint & primer in one' bathroom tiles paint but you also need to use a tile sealer or grout sealant. This is especially important if the paint job you have opted for has not been given enough coats (solid colours can be OK with one, patterns will probably need two).

Low quality paints are likely to either not seal your bathroom wall tiling properly or even worse; they could lift off again because they haven't been applied thick enough! Cheaper paints that have too short a drying time and/or don't provide a water resistant layer may cause problems later on as well - this includes latex based paints and even some environmentally friendly varieties. Don't underestimate the importance of these protective layers in order for your bathroom tiles & grouting to last longer, look better and be easier to clean!

This type of sealant will protect the surface from staining, water damage & dirt as well as hiding any imperfections that may not have been covered during your painting. It is also worth considering a tile & grout cleaner to help with keeping your bathroom clean!


Article Updated:- November 18, 2021


Read More Articles:

1. 6 Best Colors For Bathroom Interior
2. Best Small Bathroom Remodel Ideas 2022
3. 7 Best Bathroom Styles In 2022

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