How to Paint Your Ceramic Tile Floor

January 31, 2020Kelsey Gonder

After many (many) months it is time to reveal my tile makeover and let me tell you- if you can paint anythinggg- then you can do this DIY. If you’re more of a watch as you work kind of person, I have a complete rundown of the process on my Youtube Channel.

Tools & Materials:

THE PREP

1. Grab a sander- really any will do but this mouse sander is nice because it has the pointed tip that will allow you to get into any corners. Give your floor a light sanding to remove any dirt and debris.

2. Using a TSP substitute, give your floors a thorough wipe down. (Be sure to read all instructions and take all precautions when using- including wearing chemical resistant gloves and proper eye protection.) After they’ve been cleaned, take warm soapy water and give them another rinse. Dry when finished.

3. *Important- take a tack cloth and run it over the floors. This will ensure you have a dust-free, lint-free, hair-free surface. You don’t want to finish painting only to realize that one of your hairs has been painted to the ground.
4. Tape, tape, and more tape. Using painters tape, tape off your floor (including the unfortunate toilet base) I skipped that step and ended up having to use some nail polish remover around the base so learn from me and tape EVERYTHING.

PAINTING

5. Now the fun part! Grab your chosen paint (I used Behr Porch & Patio paint in Ultra Pure White.) and a paint brush then start outlining the tiles starting in the back corner and working your way to the door. *Pro tip- after 10 tiles or so, grab your paint roller and fill in the outlined tile. This will ensure you don’t have any brush strokes in the finished product.

6. Continue this sequence- outline and fill in- until you reach the door. Dry time on label is based on outdoor factors- I waited days in between coats because I was in no hurry however my educated guess is to wait at least 24 hours between coats to ensure proper adhesion.

THE REVEAL

7. At the end of it all, I did 3 coats to achieve an opaque surface. Yours may be greater or lesser depending on tile color and condition.

Many of you may be wondering about applying a topcoat or sealant. After doing some research, I decided against either because if the floors happen to chip or get scratched, it’s easy to do touch ups without having to sand, blend, and reseal the affected area. I am happy to report that after almost a year, there hasn’t been a single chip! It’s almost mind blowing at how well they have held up. This was one of the simplest and most satisfying DIYs.

*I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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