You can paint ceramic bath or shower tile if you meticulously prepare the surface first. Ceramic tile will reject any sort of paint unless you properly condition it. Learn enhance adhesion or the paint will flake off and circle the drain. Select a paint that will hold up under duress or fading and/or cracking could result.
Cleaning
Soap scum and general grime will act as a buffer between the ceramic tile and primer base. Prevent this problem by scouring the tile with an abrasive cleanser. Be sure the cleanser is water-based or it could cause adhesion problems of its own.
Abrasion
Abrasion is the fundamental key to generating a lasting finish on ceramic tile. If you fail to roughen the smooth, nonporous surface, peeling will prove inevitable. Ensure adhesion by scouring every ceramic tile using 100- to 120-grit sandpaper. Leave no tile unsanded, or peeling will begin at that spot. Once the tile feels rough, you may apply a primer base.
Primer
Even abraded ceramic tile requires a bonding base. Unfortunately, the same latex primer used to prepare bare wood for adhesion may not provide adequate adhesion within a shower or above a bath. Opt for an acrylic primer, or you could end up with a less durable finish.
Paint
Because ceramic bath and shower tile is exposed to humidity, it requires a specific type of paint. For enduring results, apply either an acrylic enamel or two-part epoxy paint. Each of these coatings is very resilient and easy to clean.
Application
You can use a roller to apply primer and paint to your ceramic bath or shower tile; however, you'll likely require a paintbrush at some point to touch up awkward areas. Though you can use any sort of synthetic paintbrush for this task, polyester ones tend to provide smoother results. Nylon paintbrushes may leave noticeable marks and are best suited for rough surfaces, such as coarse wood and textured drywall.
