When it is time to give a fresh look to the room, one question that comes up is what to do about worn out tiles. Replace them completely or use special tile paints to redecorate it. There are some factors that tilt the decision in favor of tile painting. Mainly it is cost, labor and time. After a brief inquiry it becomes obvious that replacement would be more expensive and in most probably would require professional help. Tile painting is a cost effective solution to redecorate and give a fresh new look to the area. There are many places inside house like living room, kitchen, bathroom, patio, garage and roof where general and special type of tiles are used. At each place tiles used have their own characteristics that need to be kept in mind. Otherwise the whole effort would go waste with tile paint peeling and flaking very soon, especially in areas like bathroom where special treatment is required before painting.
Painting tiles also allows creativity to take center stage, especially in case of hand painting. It can be fun and involve whole family to participate in the process. Similar to any such venture this job also requires good planning and in case it is going to be a DIY project then having all the right tools is very important. Tiles used in different areas require approaches specific to each one.
For ceramic tile paint there are many kits that make the job easier. This is the most extensively used general tiles and so lots of materials, tools and techniques are available for painting that are easy to use. There is coating of silica on one side of the ceramic tiles that make it hard and shiny. It is difficult for a paint to stick to a glossy surface. So the first thing required in ceramic tile painting after proper cleaning is to remove its shiny surface. This job will require specific sander with 220 grit or aluminum oxide to ensure that while gloss is removed, there are no scratches that will be visible even after painting if wrong sander is used. Paint should have special resin like urethane which has strong adhesive capability and also does not cause yellowing over long time that would be the case with general paint. Alkyd paints that have less gloss and based on oil also bonds well with the ceramic tiles. There is also the option of epoxies but they are very expensive, difficult to find in small areas, offer less color choices and mostly come in big gallons for large area use.
Roof tiles are generally available in bright and appealing colors but that may fade faster compared to the tiles inside because of the harsh natural elements they have to face all the time. This aging over time requires fresh coat of tile paints to give them a new look. Other than acrylic exterior paint it requires acrylic sealer to ensure that the paint does not chip or crack very soon. Roof tile paint has proven to be better for waterproofing the tile for longer period compared to the complete replacement with the new ones.
Tile paint for bathrooms are different and the process differs from the general tile painting because paint’s enemy – moisture is present there in excessive amount. If not done properly wetness of the area would cause paint to peel and flake very early. Professional advice and help may be needed for this where special adhesive application is required to make tile paint stick longer to the tile surface.
The first difficulty associated with the floor tile paint can be the time that it takes to dry the paint, the area may be unavailable for use. So it would be better if it is done when most people are going to be outdoor for a few days if the tile paint job would be inside home area. Applying many thin paint coats is a good idea allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the new coat. After curing paint for some days several coats of floor finish should be applied.
The question of how to paint tile can be answered easily if online help is availed. The process starts with proper cleaning that may require special cleaning agents to clean it thoroughly. Then its gloss and sticky particles like dirt, grease, grime and old paint needs to be removed using specific grade sanders. Glaze should be removed only lightly for paint to stick and not roughly whereas the scratches will show up even after drying. The paint being used must be specifically made for painting the tiles. Additionally special resin and adhesive primer that allow paint to stick longer can be used. Sometimes people paint individual tiles one by one. This is done mainly for colorful designs and images that look beautiful and attractive. There are special paint kits available for this.
With good planning, proper tools and materials, adhering to special process and techniques, it is very much possible to refurbish the old tiles and give the area a fresh new look. In some cases it may be better to seek professional help who have the knowledge and expertise to handle such a job. Such help may be cheaper than relaying new tiles.
Grouting tools: The spacers are important for providing even grout joints. Tiles often have built in spacers. But sometimes you may need to buy small spacers made of plastic. These are ‘x’ shaped and you have to place them where the corners of the tiles meet. You have to use them carefully otherwise they may stick to the adhesive permanently.