What kind of paint can I use on ceramic that has never been painted?

Question

I have new pieces of ceramic that were in a store where they usually painted and fired them in a kiln.   I don't want to go through the trouble of firing in a kiln.  What kind of paint or sealer, etc. can I use on them?   I mostly want them to be all one color.

Cori Widen · Answer

Are you going to use these for eating on? If not, acrylcic can work.

Pallet Man · Answer

If the ceramic has been glazed and fired, it is difficult to get paint to stick. You would need to etch or abrade the surface first. Etching gel (hydrofluoric acid) can be used. Or, you can sand the glaze with silicon carbide sand paper to get a rough surface. There are some epoxy paints that claim to stick to ceramic.

If the ceramic is unglazed white ware, it will accept many different paints. The type you would use would depend on the type of finish you want and whether you need it to be water resistant. Some spray can paints claim to work on unglazed ceramic. Enamel paints would usually be the strongest finish but artist acrylic paints can be used for artistic pieces that will not need durability.

William · Answer

You would need to seal with a primer first or the paint will soak in and possible crack when dry. You can use a spray primer. Then you can use any acrylic paint and seal with varnish or a spray clear glaze. Do not use polyurethane. It will crack and craze. This would not be food or dishwasher safe.

Celia W Shell · Answer

I have had very good luck using chalk paint! I sponged it on to look like marble and then sealed with a ceramic gloss! That was two years ago! Love it

JEWEL C · Answer

You didn't say if this is green ware or bisque. If it is green ware it will have to be fired. Also I agree with William about the food safety.

Hillela G. · Answer

I also have had luck with chalkpaint, post pics when you finish!! Have fun!

William · Answer

Krylon or Rustoleum spray primer would work. Several light coats letting each coat dry. To glue porous surfaces, as your ceramics are, I use Locktite Gel Control Super Glue. The liquid super glue just seeps into the pores. I learned! For a high gloss finish use clear spray glaze in about two to three light coats. Available at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

William · Answer

Please post your project here. We all would love to see it!

Judi · Answer

Check out this website:www.askthebuilder.com/painting-ceramic-tile

Shirley Miller · Answer

I have used gesso for many projects. I was an art major and used it to prime canvases, but found it covered many things. I covered ceramic lamp bases prior to painting. I've used it to refinish my kitchen cabinets and antique my dining set. It takes to marblizing and antiquing techniques. Sometime I use paint over it or just wipe on the diluted color. It is similar to chalk paint, but very sturdy and hides flaws. It is a very old method of furniture finishing. Available in art supply stores etc.

Lyn Buerger · Answer

You can even use chalk/pastels. Rub them in the fingers, cloth, etc. Layer them to get lovely looks. You can go soft or hard. Finish with a final coat either flat or glossy. I would prefer flat finish on pastels. It is a lovely look and very forgiving.

Cra11823795 · Answer

They do make a glass/tile paint that can be baked in the oven for a shorter time frame and not nearly as hot as the 1800 degrees you need for china paint. China paint is what I used when I painted tiles for a tile company that were fired in the kiln.

Donna Ridenour · Answer

I have a large nativity set I want to paint that's been fired once from greenware to bisque. Then I want to antique. What paints/antiquing do I use/

What kind of paint can I use on ceramic that has never been painted?

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What kind of paint can I use on ceramic that has never been painted?

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