How to Paint Your Outdated Tile Floor

Hometalk Highlights
by Hometalk Highlights
1 Material
$150
5 Days
Medium
Here's my step by step tutorial for giving your builder grade tile a customized, glam look!

Want to get this look for your outdated tiled floors? Click here to see how you can get a custom project kit for your tile floor!
PREP:
Prepare your area by removing anything from your flooring surface, like furniture, rugs etc.
Lightly sand your tile to rough up the surface.  I am using an orbital electric sander due to the size of my floor.  You can use sanding blocks or sandpaper. Vacuum up any debris when done sanding.
Clean surface. (I am using Emerge Degreaser, an alternative to TSP.  You can use TSP, if necessary). Rinse entire flooring surface with a clear water rinse to be sure to remove any residue left behind by sanding or cleaning.
Allow floor to dry.


Tape off all walls or trim or any immovable items that you do not want paint on.  Ie. if you are painting your bathroom floor be sure to tape off tub, shower stall and toilet also.
PRIME:
Begin by mixing your primer very well.  Pour primer into your paint tray. (I line my tray with aluminum foil for easy clean up!) You can easily pour back excess so don’t worry about the amount. Start applying your first coat of primer in the furthest corner from the exit area.  You will use a combination of your roller for the large surfaces and your brush to cut in at the wall and to cover the grout lines.
Allow first coat of primer to dry thoroughly. Your first coat may look streaky or uneven -- it’s ok -- the second coat will even it up. Wait 2-4 hours before applying a second coatApply a second coat of primer to entire surface and allow 4 hours drying time. Pour excess primer back into can.  Clean or toss your foam roller and throw away the foil liner from your tray!  Your floor should be looking much better already!
PAINT:
Begin by mixing your paint very well with stir sticks.  Pour paint into your lined paint tray and apply your first coat of paint.  Apply it in the same manner as you did the primer, starting at the far corner from the exit. Allow first coat to dry for two hours. Apply a second coat of your paint, in the same manner, starting from the exit. Leave your second coat of paint to dry for two hours l and clean up your tools and supplies.
STENCIL:
Be sure your stencil is flat before you start! Get your paint that you intend to stencil with and mix it well.  Pour your paint into your lined paint tray. Determine where you will begin stenciling.  I do all of the open area and save the corners and partial areas until the end as you may have to cut your stencils to apply the stencil properly in those areas. Use painters tape to hold your stencil in place.


Once your stencil is positioned apply your paint to your roller and BE SURE TO OFFLOAD EXCESS PAINT on a paper towel or other absorbent material. If you begin rolling with an overly saturated roller and you press down to hard you will get paint seepage underneath your stencil.  Use a light hand and gently roll the paint over your stencil.  
Continue pulling up your stencil and going to the next tile, etc until your floor is covered. You may then tackle the small areas, corners, etc by cutting your stencil, if necessary. If you have any paint seepage underneath you can repair it with a small artist brush once all of the paint is dry. Allow your paint to dry thoroughly.
SEAL
Begin by mixing your sealer very well.  Pour your sealer into your liner paint tray and apply your first coat of sealer in the same manner as you applied your primer. Allow your sealer to dry completely. Refer to the back of your can for manufacturer instructions on drying time and recommended amount of coats for maximum protection and durability. Most manufacturers recommend at least 2 coats and some as many as 4.  
Be sure to allow sufficient drying time between each coat. Once you are completely done you may clean up and dispose of your tray liner and foam roller.  Clean your brushes well for your next project! Now pull your painters tape from your trim and sit back and enjoy your fabulous NEW floor done exclusively by YOU!


Congratulations on a job well done!


Want to get this look for your outdated tiled floors? Click here to see how you can get a custom project kit for your tile floor.
Suggested materials:
  • Order this kit to your home
  • Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 9 questions
  • Linda Linda on Jul 04, 2019

    How is this holding up to traffic?

  • Carol Carol on Feb 02, 2020

    Can you do this to a vinyl tile

  • Tmrich295 Tmrich295 on Sep 22, 2020

    The link doesn’t work, what products did you use?

Comments
Join the conversation
5 of 10 comments
  • Heje Heje on Aug 15, 2018

    The directions are very well given and easy to follow. I want to do this to my outdated kitchen.

  • Beth Beth on Aug 25, 2018

    This is gorgeous. One comment, though, about where to start the stencil: The pattern should always start in the center of the room and spread out from there. That way, the floor will always look balanced. Just like with an area rug, the pattern is centered on it.

    • See 2 previous
    • Lady Coyote Lady Coyote on Aug 04, 2020

      Your just positioning/centering on top of the square tiles, that are not getting moved. so it really doesn't matter where you start. I'd start furthest from the door and work my way out backwards.


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