Painting over bathroom tile.

Question

Our home was built in the sixties, so the bathrooms have the small postage stamp sized tile on the floors with the slightly larger tiles on the walls. I want  to paint over the tile. What type of paint should I use. One bathroom is all different shades of blue, and one is Gray and white.

Jim L · Answer

DO NOT PAINT THE TILE OF THE FLOOR! If you want to paint the wall tile, hire a professional. It needs to be 'washed' with an acid and it is a multi-step process...

N. Susan Hart · Answer

Most contractors say to take it out because it doesn't really work that well.

MissyL · Answer

I know it's not the answer you're hoping for, but you're better off just taking the tile off the wall and replacing it with new material.

Valerie · Answer

There is a special type of primer available which is specifically made for tiles. I would suggest you ask at your local hardware shop. They would also be able to tell you which type of paint would work best in conjunction with the primer. Also ask them if you could use floor paint - I doubt it, but it is worth asking! Good luck with your project!

Theresa · Answer

Well I painted the tiles over my bathtub in San Antonio several years ago. I used a good exterior paint, and I think I varnished on top of it, but it was a long time ago, and I might not have varnished at all. It held up really well, the house is rented now, I still own it, and as far as I know its still holding up fine. Just today, I started a paint job on our fibreglass or acrylic shower (not sure what it is) and I used Rustoleum topside marine paint. It needs another coat tomorrow, but so far I am pleased. Its shiny and once the 2nd coat is on I think it will look brand new. As for tolerating the wet, I figure, if they make it to paint boats above the water line, with the salt water and weather getting all over it all the time, it should hold up fine getting wet twice a day! I will let you know after we start using it if it works fine but i am confident it will

Theresa · Answer

Wait till I finish what I am doing now, I think its going to work great. I only got a quart, and I think I used half but I am afraid to do the second coat without another quart just in case. I can't find it locally at all, so I just ordered the 2nd quart which will hopefully be here within a week, then I can finish. I brushed on the first coat, and there were some drips I missed. I gently sanded today, and I plan to get a small roller and hopefully the second coat will be smoother. But I already love it, and the color is just perfect. Good idea to start with the master. That was exactly my thinking!

Theresa · Answer

The smell wasn't horrible, just basically epoxy, so I know it will be ok to do the hall bathroom which has no window. That tub and tile crap is absolutely impossible! I will never ever use that again. The smell afterwards is not fun but with the door closed to the bathroom and the window open, should be ok

Theresa · Answer

Ok I have finished painting the shower enclosure, and though we have not used it yet I can tell that the finish is going to be durable. I did 2 coats, and the next day I had to touch up around the drain which I knew I would have a problem with because of the bad job I did with putting masking tape on to cover it. I also brushed an area where I had not brushed down the after the roller. But it looks a million times better! I can't wait to do the hall bath, but I need another can of paint.

Theresa · Answer

Get it from Amazon - $11.97. Rustoleum topside marine paint. I got oyster white which is a little more cream colored.

Chris McKenzie · Answer

I used rustoleum tub and tile paint and it worked great until it started eating all my brushes and adhering to everything. Can you use rustoleum marine as a top coat?

Libbie B · Answer

I've used Tub and Tile paint and it's holding up 4 years later.

Painting over bathroom tile.

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Painting over bathroom tile.

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