When the tiles of the bathroom look dull and boring, then you feel like replacing them with new tiles. However, installation of new tiles in the entire bathroom is a time-consuming task and you have to shell out a good amount of money as well. Therefore, the simplest and affordable way to give a fresh new look to the bathroom is by painting its tiles. This is an excellent way of bathroom remodeling.
How to Paint Bathroom Tiles?
If there are problems like crumbling grout or cracking tiles, then they need to be repaired first and then start the painting work. Basically, the project of bathroom tile painting can be divided into four major steps. They are as follows:
Cleaning of Tiles: This is the first step in preparation of the surface to be painted. If you find mold and mildew in the tiles, you should clean them up first with the help of a good bleaching agent. Otherwise, you should start with cleaning of the dirt, grime and soap scum left on the tile surface. Take a commercial cleaning product or a tile and grout cleansing solution, and a non-abrasive scrubbing pad and rub it thoroughly all over the tiles to get rid of the debris. If the tiles have patches of calcium residue left by hard water, you have to take the help of a calcium deposit remover. Cleaning the grout in between the tiles is a tricky task and you will require an old toothbrush in order to reach those difficult areas. Let the tiles dry up completely before you proceed to the next step.
Sanding of Tiles: Sanding is a must before painting ceramic bathroom tiles or any other tiles in order to get rid of the glossy surface. This will ensure that the applied paint will adhere well into the surface. A 220 grit sandpaper is just right for the kind of finish you are looking for. Sanding all the tiles with your hand will be a bit tough task. Therefore, a hand held orbital sander is the best alternative. It will make the surface coarse but will not make any unwanted scratches that can become visible after painting. Once the sanding job is over, wipe off all the dust and debris thoroughly from the sanded surface with a soft, damp cloth. During sanding, make sure you protect yourself with a mask and glasses to prevent the inhalation of harmful tile dust.
Application of Primer: This is done to prepare a good base for the paint. Use a high quality primer on the tiles. Oil based primer is the best choice for the tiles as the paint to be used is also an oil based one. Use a brush with synthetic bristles to apply the primer. Start applying it at the corners first and then proceed to apply on the flat surface. Do not overload the brush with too much of primer paint as it will leave behind paint lines on the tiles when it dries up. Use vertical strokes to paint each of the tile individually. The drying time is mentioned by the manufacturer on the label of the can and is usually 24 hours. Give that much of time for the primer to dry up and then apply the second coat of primer.
Application of Paint: Once the second coat of primer is dried up, sand the primer coated surface again to remove any lumps left behind by the primer so the surface can hold the paint well. Select a good quality oil based paint for painting bathroom tiles. Opt for paints that are suitable for the kitchen and bathroom. This is because these paints are formulated in such a way that they can resist moisture and prevent growth of mold and mildew. Oil based paints require a longer time for application and the drying time is longer too. However, the finish of this paint is of very high quality and will last for a long period of time. While applying the paint, instead of using one heavy coat, it is advisable to use several number of thin coats. Make sure you apply each coat only after the previous coat has dried up.
After the bathroom tile painting, you will notice that your bathroom has got a fresh lease of life. Make sure the color of the paint that you choose should be consistent with the overall bathroom decoration. Finally, I would like to suggest do not paint those areas of the bathroom that get wet repeatedly like the shower area or the bathtub as the paint is bound to peel off within a week.
