How to paint grout?

Ann7680670
by Ann7680670

How do I paint grout to change the color? The grout is in great shape, but the color - meh.


  47 answers
  • Julie Daugherty Julie Daugherty on Jul 20, 2016
    I did this in my kitchen and it was a lot of work but worth it. I went to a local tile store and purchased Grout Stain brand. The salesman said to make sure you don't purchase a latex based stain which was like a thick paint. It has been 5 years and it still looks like new. It is recommended you seal it after staining.
  • Dee Dee on Jul 20, 2016
    I used Mapei Grout Refresh, you can buy it on Amazon or a tile store. This stuff is fantastic and comes in many colors. I did 2 bathrooms, over 3 years ago and it looks as good as the day I did it. I am going to change the color completely in my kitchen very soon. It is easy to do just time consuming. One hint, I worked in sections, let is dry a bit and then wiped the edges. I have a friend who used concrete paint in gray and it worked well for her.
  • Gloria Gloria on Jul 20, 2016
    You can buy grout paint in different colors. Use a brush the width of the grout.
  • Kauai Breeze Kauai Breeze on Dec 06, 2017

    Chalk paint is soft and will probably not hold up. At home centers where they sell tile, they now have pens you can use to "paint" grout - even a different color. Or you could check on line for grout paint pens.

  • Saskie Saskie on Dec 06, 2017

    I mixed an outdoor solid stain with and indoor wall paint to match the color of my bathroom floor grout. Cleaned the grout really well, applied 2 coats and then sealed it with a clear coat Patio Paint. which is an outdoor paint found at Michael's. Looks great and washes and wears well.

  • Susan Susan on Jul 21, 2017

    This is really cheating, but when the grout around my bathroom sink got stained by red mouthwash, I got a white wide point enamel pen from a big box store's craft section and painted the grout. It's oil based, so it helped seal the grout as a bonus.

  • Stephanie Stephanie on Jul 24, 2017

    You use a GROUT COLORANT! Can be found at any home improvement store or Tile Store. Comes with its own applicator. It is a lot of work but is permanent. I have been in tile & stone industry for over 40 years!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Feb 08, 2019

    You can purchase paint specifically for grout. I've seen it in the larger stores but I used exterior paint with great results, then sealed.

  • There are grout colorants available at your local home improvement store or online. They come in various colors.

  • Terri Terri on Feb 09, 2019

    Grout paint pen applicators Any home improvement store should have them.

  • Holly Hill Holly Hill on Feb 21, 2018

    Grout mfgs make grout sealers in colors that work like grout paint, Home Depot, Lowe's or Menards should carry in the tile flooring area

  • Gabrielle Falk Gabrielle Falk on Feb 07, 2018

    Be very careful with this option. The paint will not last long, even if you use an enamel paint. Will wear off eventually.

  • Ardale Ardale on Feb 07, 2018

    You can change the color of your grout but not with paint. Check with any local big hardware store such as Lowes, Home Depot or Menards and they can tell you how to do it as well as show you what to use. My son did it to his home and it turned out beautiful. Good Luck! You can paint it but paint will soon peel and pop off so it's not the best choice not to mention it's very very time consuming being down on her hands and knees with a tiny little paint brush hoping you won't get paint on your tiles in the process.

  • Marcia Marcia on Feb 08, 2018

    Several years ago I bought Aqua Mix Grout Colorant (on line). In addition to changing the color, it is also a sealant. I bought a stiff, small paint brush at Michael's and it worked great. If your tile has a shiny surface, you can wipe off excess with a wet cloth. If your tile is matte, you can remove it with acetone easily. Most tile stores sell some brand of colorant so you can check that out, too. Have fun!

  • Suzette Suzette on May 21, 2018

    Hi, You can get a grout pen from Lowe's. You will also need to seal it, or it will get grimy fast.


    https://www.lowes.com/pd/Miracle-Sealants-Company-0-5-fl-oz-Indoor-Floor-Sealer-Grout-Sealer-Pen/50343118


    Good luck!

  • SandyG SandyG on Aug 10, 2017

    There is special paint/stain to buy for grout lines. Check online or at local big box hardware store.

  • Karen Tokarse Karen Tokarse on Aug 10, 2017

    The trick is to use the right-sized brush for the grout lines. Then immediately wipe off any excess that gets on the tiles.

  • Bet26231411 Bet26231411 on Aug 10, 2017

    Buy a bottle of Grout Refresh from Lowes and follow directions. Any tile will look like new. Wonderful product!!

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Aug 10, 2017

    You can actually buy grout dye. Check with any of your local tile shops. I think this works better than painting the grout.

  • Tammylu Tammylu on Jul 08, 2018

    I tried it. It stayed on thru steam mopping over 12+ months, so, yeah, it's possible! I only did a small foyer entry area, with regular latex wall paint and a small chip brush. This area wasn't in constant use or receive much traffic. And then, I decided I no longer liked that color, so I found a spray product that removes latex paint, sprayed it on, let it sit, and scrubbed with nylon utility brush and it came off no probs! Food for thought, anyway.

  • Baxter Baxter on Jul 28, 2018

    The grout in the home I recently purchased wasn't sealed well and there was no amount of scrubbing that could make it look clean. I bought grout paint with sealer (available at Lowes or Home Depot) and then mixed in some acrylic paint to get the darker color I wanted. It was simple and was an inexpensive fix that made a huge difference in the look of the floors. Love the results!

  • Sally Sally on Jul 19, 2018

    There are grout stains you can use. I stained mine gray using Grout Rejuvenator by Ameri Tech. Thery have many colors to choose from. Simple to apply and if you get it on tile it wipes away. Touch up spots (usually around toilet) as needed.

  • Maggie Maggie on Nov 04, 2017

    You can find grout specific paint where grout Is sold. I use artist paint brushes. Make certain to seal well, although most of these include sealer, which prevents stains and water absorption. Should be done annually.

  • Christy Christy on Nov 04, 2017

    Perm Paint pens work nicely.

  • Dfm Dfm on Nov 04, 2017

    There are colored sealants for grout, you get them from a tile store. Regular paint just tends to peel off the area. I found grout sealant pens at a big box diy,,,many different colors, very easy and not messy to use.

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Feb 04, 2019

    They make paint pens just for grout. I've gotten them at lowes.

  • Janice Janice on Feb 04, 2019

    I have used acrylic paint (from the craft store) watered down a bit and applied with an artists brush to change the color of my grout from dark to a lighter color. The color I used blends in better with the tile I have and makes the room look much cleaner and larger.

  • Barb Orthmann Barb Orthmann on Apr 29, 2018

    After scrubbing the grout lines on my kitchen counter with all manner of grout cleaner on the market, including bleach, I finally decided to paint them. I used plain old white acrylic paint, slightly thinned with water, and a small artists brush. I wiped the mistakes from the tile while the paint was wet and it came off easily. Sealed with a grout sealer once it was dry. It took less time to paint the grout lines than it did to try and use all those cleaners and looked brand new when done. The only thing I'll do differently next time is use a color that is in the tile itself instead of white. It's a little tedious but very easy.

  • Rebecca Taylor Rebecca Taylor on Feb 04, 2019

    Hi, they make grout stain that you can get at any big box store or online. Just make sure to clean the grout well first.

  • Your local home improvement store will have grout colorants in several shades to choose from, but an online search could turn up more and other colors.

  • Home improvement stores sell grout paint. I’ve used this one on my grout and it held up well in my last house.


    https://www.lowes.com/pd/MAPEI-Grout-Refresh-8-fl-oz-White-Ceramic-Porcelain-Tile-Grout-Sealer-Squeeze-Bottle/50337194

    My grout lines were wide so I used a toothbrush to paint it on but you can use an artist’s brush for thinner lines. Wipe the excess off the tiles with a damp cloth.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jun 06, 2019

    You can purchase a paint formulated for grout or use exterior paint, which is what I did. Make sure you seal it once you are done to preserve the new look.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jun 06, 2019

    I just use interior oil based paint, semi gloss. No really shiney due to roughness of grout. No sealer needed. Been down now 8 years, no issues.

  • Libbie B Libbie B on Jun 10, 2019

    I used a paint pen I found at Home Depot. Worked like a charm.

  • Landsharkinnc Landsharkinnc on Jan 08, 2019

    there are several ways to accomplish this -- and it will depend on the location -- floor/countertop/wall ... and it will all eventually wear away .... https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/rooms/q-how-to-paint-grout-34920203

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Jan 08, 2019

    Lowe's has grout coloring. It comes in a small squirk container. I used an old toothbrush with a damp rag. I selected grout too light so darkened it and really like it now. Good luck!

  • Libbie B Libbie B on Jan 10, 2022

    I have painted grout in a kitchen using a paint pen. It turned out great. You can see it here. https://alifeunfolding.com/updating-the-kitchen-in-our-rental-property/

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 19, 2022

    Use an art Brush or otherwise mask all the tiles.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jan 31, 2022

    Home improment stores have paint dedicated for groout

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2022

    I wouldnt .. it like applying bandaid to wound .. it doesnt last

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Apr 30, 2022

    you really only applying bandaid to issue .. Why you like to paint it .. is it on the floor or wall ?

  • Maura White Maura White on Jun 19, 2022

    Check out what these grout pens can do: https://amzn.to/3y3PaQV

  • Deb K Deb K on Sep 08, 2022

    Hello, hope this helps you out. You can get paint specifically for grout. Use a foam brush as wide as the grout, work in small sections at a time with small amounts of paint. Apply the grout paint with long strokes. Paint one coat over the whole surface and clean as you go. Let dry completely, according to the manufacturer's recommendations.


  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 02, 2022

    Buy a kit from DIY store!

  • Dee Dee on Dec 27, 2022

    There is a product called Mapei grout refresh that comes in several colors. It also has a build in sealer. It is tedious to do, but I have refreshed both my bathrooms several years ago and they still look brand spanking new.

  • Annie Annie on Sep 22, 2023

    Here's a video that should help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oZVjJUoRr0