Can I use paint on old floor grout lines or is Grout Renew best?

Kathy Bollman
by Kathy Bollman
Grout is years old and dingy. Trying to avoid having to scrape out old grout and put in new. Four large rooms! Kitchen and bath are worse than living areas.

  9 answers
  • Sandra Rote Sandra Rote on Mar 19, 2018

    I used Grout Renew with mixed results. Be prepared for it to look almost as though you have painted the grout rather than "renewed" it. It's a good temporary fix if you're having a party and want to freshen up.

  • Bev Bev on Mar 19, 2018

    I was just at a friend's home and was informed that she had painted her grout 10 years ago. It looks like the grout is new. Amazing! I will warn you though, she did it all by hand and didn't get anything on the tile. It is beautiful and worth the time invested though. She said it cleans up easily too.

    • See 1 previous
    • Eleanor Korf Eleanor Korf on Mar 19, 2018

      I painted grout and found the trick is to keep a damp rag or damp paper toweling handy to wipe paint that gets on the tiles off immediately. Or use a razor blade as soon as paint is set enough that it scrapes off easily. I have also used water based varnish to seal new tile grout to keep it looking good longer.


  • Ava Hurst Ava Hurst on Mar 19, 2018

    I used all purpose acrylic paint in the hobby area from walmart. My grout didn't match when we had to replace some tiles, so I found a matching color for my old grout and painted the new. You can't tell. It is tedious though, but looks great.


  • Mary Ann Hayes Mary Ann Hayes on Mar 19, 2018

    A few months ago I used Polyblend Grout Renew on my kitchen floor. It took some time, but it turned out beautifully and cleans very well. I bought mine at Home Depot for $13. a bottle, which did a huge floor. I did not follow the bottle instructions of using a small toothbrush, since I thought it would flick paint all over the place. I used a small stencil brush, applied to one of two tiles, cut up a bunch of paper towels into 2” x 2” squares, had a plastic bag nearby for trash, wiped excess off the tile. Followed up with a slightly damp piece of paper towel. it is advertised as a sealer/paint. For the work involved, I recommend this over paint.

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Mar 19, 2018

    I would have a professional do it as you want a nice job when it is done. Be sure to have the grout sealed right after it is done so it is easier to keep clean.

  • Valorie Risteau Paolera Valorie Risteau Paolera on Mar 19, 2018

    Sweep floor, use any color grout to fill chipped grout. Leave for a few days to set up properly. Sweep up again. You can now paint the grout using EXTERIOR latex paint. It will wash off tile, (I kept a damp cloth with me to wipe as I went along.) not only seals grout, but lasts a long time.

    • Kathy Bollman Kathy Bollman on Mar 19, 2018

      Sounds great! I know it will be tedious but well worth the effort!! Kathy Bollman

  • Eleanor Korf Eleanor Korf on Mar 19, 2018

    If the picture is a sample of what the rest of the floor looks like it appears that you will need to scrub it with a brush to remove as much dirt that is discoloring your grout as possible. It also looks like some places need repair. I have seen pre-mixed grout that would be easier to use. You can actually use your finger to apply the grout in places that need repair. Let that dry then paint.

  • Robin Coleman Babbie Robin Coleman Babbie on Mar 21, 2018

    I had the same problem and I used a steamer with a small brush attachment and it looked brand new afterwards