Paint ceramic floor tile to give it a new lease on life.
Ceramic floor tiles are available in colors that suit many decors. Because ceramic tiles are so long lasting, you may get tired of the original color but not want to go to the expense of replacing the tiles. That's a good time to think about ways to decorate floor tiles to spruce them up and give them new life. You can paint ceramic tiles on any wall or floor, but it's not advisable to paint any tiles in rooms that have floors that are frequently wet, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Floor tile paint holds up well in other rooms.
Instructions
1. Clean the floor well with a detergent that removes any accumulated grease and oil. Rinse the floor well and allow it to dry.
2. Check the grout lines for any areas that may need regrouting. Make any repairs before you paint. Use oxygen bleach to clean the grout if it doesn't need repair. Put the bleach on the grout, let it set for a while, then wash it off. Allow the grout to dry before painting.
3. Decide whether you are going to paint the grout. If you decide not to paint the grout, you must use painter's tape on each grout line to protect the grout from paint splatters.
4. Sand the tile with 220-grit sandpaper. You can use an orbital sander, but use a light touch. Barely rough up the surface enough to get a good surface to bond the paint. Remove all the dust from the floor with a vacuum.
5. Use painter's tape to mask off grout lines if you decided to do that. Use the painter's tape to create designs to paint on your ceramic tiles. If you are using stencils, you can hold them in place with the painter's tape.
6. Paint the tile with two coats of primer designed to cover shiny surfaces. Allow each coat to dry completely. Lightly sand the second coat with the 220-grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface. Remove all the dust.
7. Choose semi-gloss or satin finish floor tile paint. Paint the ceramic tile with at least two thin coats of paint. Allow each coat to dry for at least three days.
8. Finish the project with two topcoats of clear urethane. Allow it to dry completely before walking on the floor.
