What paint is best to stencil this with?

Lena Grimes
by Lena Grimes

hi friends! I found this on the side of the road and i would like to use it as a patio table. I will have an umbrella over it but what type of paint should i use to stencil a pattern on the tiles? What would i seal it with? Help please for im still learning. Thank you!

  10 answers
  • Gk Gk on May 24, 2020

    I think that in order to stencil the tiles on this table you would have to use a bonding primer first and then add a coat of flat paint before you stencil. I would sand the tiles very lightly with an extra fine sanding paper so you don't leave any noticeable scratches, clean it well, and then prime. The bonding primer will help the next coat of flat paint to adhere so that you have a good coat of paint to stencil on. You may need two coats of flat paint. You can then use small bottles of craft paint-acrylic-that you find in craft stores to stencil. I stencil with paint and foam triangular make up sponges, dabbing any excess paint off on a paper towel before stenciling. Do NOT keep going over and over your stencil because if you do this encourages bleeding and you won't have crisp edges. Practice first on a board so you can get the feel of how it needs to be done. Once you are done stenciling I would finish with a few coats of marine spar to seal everything from the outside elements. I would seal everything with the marine spar, not just the tiles, since you want to use it as a patio table. The marine spar will keep the table from getting damaged from any moisture.

    • See 2 previous
    • Rynn Rynn on May 25, 2020

      Paint comes in various finishes including flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss; flat paint has no sheen, and they graduate up in shiny-ness with gloss being the highest. ( The responder was recommending flat paint for your project.) There are many shades of white, so you will select the one you want using their color chart; the clerk will ask you which finish you want: flat. Hope this helps a little.

  • William William on May 25, 2020

    Here are some ways other Hometalkers stenciled tile


    https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=stencil%20tile

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on May 25, 2020

    Hi! Be sure to use a clear sealer that is rated for exterior use to protect your work! Good luck and stay safe!

  • Here is a tutorial for a floor but it is also tile. https://youtu.be/mmFvHwpgST4


  • Gk Gk on May 25, 2020

    In reply to your question: Go to your local home improvement store and see if you can just buy a sample size jar in a white flat rather than a eggshell, semi gloss, etc finish. It is just regular latex wall paint. A sample size should be just enough for your project!

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on May 25, 2020

    I would use an exterior grade paint and then spray or brush on a couple of coat os polyurethane.

  • Homeroad Homeroad on May 25, 2020

    I would use tile stencils and chalky style paint that sticks to almost anything. Seal it very well with a heavy duty sealer so it can be washed.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on May 26, 2020

    There are lots of tutorials here on painting tiles that you'll find useful:

    https://www.hometalk.com/search/all?filter=paint%20tiles

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Mar 05, 2021

    I would use multi-surface folk art or apple barrel paint