How can I update my tile kitchen counter tops without replacing them?

Angel
by Angel
I hate the ugly, rough brown spaces between my kitchen counter top tiles. It's so hard to clean and it looks terrible! Is there anything I can do to update it and make it smoother and easier to clean?
  11 answers
  • Col24753380 Col24753380 on Jul 07, 2017

    I see what you mean but your pictures doesn't really say much , what's the thickness of your counters. You could pour concrete on top if you like concrete counter tops they're one of my favorites .

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jul 07, 2017

    My bathroom floor looked the same, and I too hated it because of the dark roughness, it was so hard to clean and always looked dirty.


    So one day, after making sure that the brown grouting was dry, I took a little bottle of white nail polish and started painting. The small brush was the exact width of the grouting, and it transformed the space into a smooth surface easier than the rough to wipe.

    It looked so clean and new, I continued, and, . . . . the rest is history.


    Yes, it may sound crazy, but I worked on it a only a few tiles at a time, working slowly but surely, taking many breaks, and trips back to the dollar store to get more nail polish.


    I used inexpensive brand white nail polish, and made sure that the first coat was completely dry before putting on the second coat. A couple of months later, I did the same process with a clear coat, just like when doing fingernails. This clearcoat adds shine and durability.


    To date, it has not washed off or worn out.

    • See 1 previous
    • Csue Csue on Aug 24, 2020

      They have special grout paint that is nontoxic. It applies like nail polish too

  • 26061930 26061930 on Jul 07, 2017

    You could use paint, too ... paint the tiles and all. I think it is Rustoleum that you would use. Ask at the store which would be best paint.


  • Sandy Murray Sandy Murray on Jul 07, 2017

    Scrape out the brown stuff and fill with tile filler, can get it in different colours. May need to do it often

  • Gracie Gracie on Jul 07, 2017

    It's grout so it can be removed or repainted. It will be a tedious job but would really brighten up the tile.


  • Rose Mary Buds Rose Mary Buds on Jul 07, 2017

    The brown stuff you dislike is sanded grout. There are also products you can use to seal the grout making it easier to keep clean. You can get a completely different look in your kitchen by removing the old grout and replacing it with a different color grout or even white for a clean look. There are sanded grouts (rough) and grouts with no sand in them for a smoother surface texture. I would go to a local building center and look at samples and talk to someone about what is available and how hard it is to DIY or who local could be trusted to give you a fair price for professional job. Good luck

  • Liz Liz on Jul 07, 2017

    Type in "painting tile and grout" on the HomeTalk site. There are lots of good ideas. Sounds like using the proper prep, paint and sealer would be easier than removing the grout. You can paint it any color you like, as long as you're using the correct paint for tile/grout. Good luck!

  • Taf Taf on Jul 07, 2017

    Grout Renew, comes in half dozen colors. Made specifically for grout - painting. The product can be mixed to make your own color. Can be purchased at Home Depot. I believe the manufacture is Polyblend.

    • Angel Angel on Jul 08, 2017

      Awesome, that sounds like the way to go, thank you!

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jul 18, 2017

    I have since read on Hometalk of someone else painting their tile grouting with inexpensive white acrylic paint from the dollar store. I know that this paint dries quickly as does nail polish, so although I haven't tried it, working with only a small amount of the paint at one time rather than dipping the brush into the whole bottle, would be a must.

    I also think that you would have to be prepared to either wash out, or throw away what ever brushes you were painting with, because as the paint dries quickly, it would dry and harder up and gunk up your brush quickly. Good luck on finding a solution that works for you.


  • Alice Alice on Feb 23, 2018

    I'd just change the color of the grout. They make a "Grout Stain Cover with Wheel Applicator" you can google it. That would be easier than nail polish & it comes in several colors.

  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 24, 2020

    Grout tends to dry out and start to crumble so if you put more colored grout in, eventually the grout underneath will start to crumble. That will ruin the new grout you just put in. It's better to dig out and replace the old grout if you want to change it.