Can porcelain tile be painted?

Certainly, but not necessarily regular paint. Please go to our Search box at upper left of this page and type in Painting Porcelain Tile, fireplace surround.

There are lots of folks who have great advice re prep and best results.

Sprinkle the tiles with a powdered cleanser and scrub them with a wet sponge or scrub brush. Wipe the tiles with a damp cloth to rinse. Rinse and wring the cloth as needed to remove all of the cleaning residue. Allow the tiles to dry completely.2

Sand the tile with 120- to 180-grit sandpaper to remove the gloss from the tile. You can use an orbital sander for larger areas.3

Dampen a cloth with water and wring it out. Wipe the tiles to remove the dust left behind from sanding. Let the tiles dry completely.4

Apply a thorough, even coat of tile primer with a paintbrush. Allow it to dry according to the instructions on the can. If you're using epoxy paint, skip the primer.5

Apply one smooth coat of acrylic latex interior paint with a paintbrush using long, even strokes going in one direction. Allow it to dry, and apply another coat. Let it dry completely according to the instructions on the can. For tile epoxy, mix it according to the instructions. Apply one coat with a fine-bristled paint brush going in one direction for a smooth coat. Allow it to dry and apply another coat. Allow it to cure completely according to the instruction label before using.