Low-cost renovations: how to paint kitchen and bathroom tiles

Painting tiles is a simple, quick and cheap way to renew the appearance of an outdated kitchen or bathroom. And for this there is only one condition: that the tiles are in perfect condition. If there are any holes or chips, they will have to be repaired beforehand so that when painting, they will not be noticeable. From then on, the process is very simple. The experts from Habitissimo leave some tips. 

Preparing the tiles
Before getting a good finish, it´s important to take some aspects into consideration:

If there is any damage to the surface of the tiles, it should be covered with putty, sanded and levelled. Then, the surface must be vacuumed to remove the dirt. The surface must be perfectly clean of dust, grease or any residue before applying the paint. This includes the joints, if they are mouldy they will have to be well removed. Otherwise, the paint will not adhere perfectly.
The bathroom or kitchen should be empty. If this is not possible, protect well the furniture that you cannot move. It is also important to cover the floor and door frames. If you´re not going to paint all the tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, for example, cover the edges of the ones you´re not going to paint with tape.

Tile Paints
The first thing, obviously, is to choose the right paint. It´s not about colour, it´s about material. Not all paints are suitable for tiles - for a perfect and long lasting finish you need to choose a specific one. Don´t forget that these surfaces are very exposed to moisture and dirt.
There are different types of paints for tiles. The most resistant are epoxy paints or epoxy resin coatings. Water-based enamels or synthetic oils specific for this type of surface can also be applied.

Applying the paint on the tiles
The first step is to prepare the paint and the tools. It is convenient to shake the paint well and use a paint tray. As for the tools, the ideal is to paint with a special roller for this type of painting, although it may be necessary to use brushes for small touch-ups.
If you´re going to paint the ceiling, you should always start with the ceiling. Then it´s convenient to paint the edges of the tiles that face the ceiling or the floor, as well as the corners and edges of the toilets, which are more difficult to reach with the roller. 
Another tip: if you need to apply more than one coat of paint for a perfect finish, make sure to go over the drying time set by the manufacturer. And it´s also important to let the surface dry perfectly before repositioning furniture or accessories.

Final recommendations
The tile paint resists perfectly to the humid conditions in bathrooms and kitchens, so only minimal maintenance is needed to keep it in good condition for a long time. To clean it, just use a neutral detergent and a cloth. Don´t use scouring pads or any other tool that could scratch the surface.

Painting the tiles sounds simple, and it is, but it takes a good hand to get a perfect finish. If you´re not sure you´ll get it, it´s best left in the hands of professionals. Either way, it will always be much cheaper than changing the tiles in your bathroom or kitchen.

Source: Idealista/News