Applying paint to a ceramic tile floor

I have a very ugly tile floor in the entrance way of my home. It's in great shape and because it is so ugly it will last forever. I'd like to try to paint these. I plan to tape the grout lines, sand the tile, apply primer, and then do a faux finish in the colours that I like. My question? Will the paint come off? Will it stay forever? What kind of paint? What kind of primer? Help! Thanks so much.

 

Dont attempt anything til you have primed the floor....what type of tiles are they?..semi matt, matt, glossy, ??

 

So what do I prime the floor with? Do I clean them first? Sand them? What? And what type of paint? Oil, latex? What do I seal the floor with after I have oainted it? Help? Too many questions and not enough answers.

 

Give us half a clue about the type of tiles Angel

 

Sorry. I guess that's sort of important. Ha Ha! The tiles are made of ceramic and they have a high gloss sheen to them. I hope that helps. Thank you.

 

Hmmm yes...helps me...but it doesnt help you im affraid, the more of a gloss fininsh the harder it will be for anything to adhere to them.....and the easier they will flake because they are being walked on.

First...be careful with the rubbing down, the dust from the glaze is virtually powered glass....not nice.

The only thing I know that sticks well to glazed tiles is called ultra grip and is made by dulux....do you have dulux over there?......if not check out zinser, they are bound to make something. But you still have the problem of adhesion when the floor is being walked on...painting caramic tiles can be difficult at the best of times...on a floor, personally I dont hold out much hope for the paint lasting im affriad.

 

Thank you so much for your help. Yes we have those products over here. I am an interior designer but not a tile refinisher. I think I will check with the local paint stores and see if they have a product that they recommend. I was hoping there was someone who had actually done it and had any comments. Replacing these tiles will be messy, and they really are in great shape. If I can save my client some time, mess and some money.........well we'll just have to see. Thank you again so very much for your input.

 

An interior designer who tries to save money....now ive seen it all!

I would recommend a test tile first before you attempt the whole lot...just in case.

I have painted tiles with ultra grip and it does work to use the technical terminology...'like sh*t to a blanket' but as for walking on it?...if you client wears high heels (or his wife does) you may be in trouble.

 

Angel,
I am new to this forum but not new to decorating or decorating forums and am confused, you first off say it is in your own home and then talk about saving the client some money...not sure who's project this is????
That's by the by because at the end of the day the project is a difficult one. Painting tiles themselves isn't easy for long term efficacy, but floor tiles in a high traffic area...pretty dodgy.
Yes, I have done this in a low traffic area and yes I know of your products in USA as well as knowing products here in UK. But the advice you have been given in earlier posts is good...try a test area is probably the best.
You could try cleaning them off with a decent degreaser like TSP, then sanding then possibly a product like Primetch or priming with Xim or one of the Zinssers (123 is my favourite but phone their tech services to get the best advice). There are also systems available to you that we don't have such as Delta PermEnamel from Delta Co, Faux Effects etc. The last floor I did like this was sealed with 5 coats of varnish similar to Benjamin Moore Clearcoat Acrylic. All systems that you use will require a curing time that involves absolutely no traffic whatsoever. None I feel are totally foolproof for this type of area.
I would guess that you would be better in terms of labour cost to get it tiled again. You can tile over tiles...not perhaps what you might want to do but probably best use of time and money.
I would think that you might be better served by visiting one of the U.S. sites that deal with faux finishes and/or painting and decorating. Try Googling PDCA or Faux Effects + forums
Cait

 

Thank you so much for the advice. I was hoping it would be much easier but I think you're right about just retiling. To clear up the confusion I have tiles in my own entranceway that I have thought about painting for years. My new client also has the same entranceway - different tiles - different home - but same problem. So the pressure was on to find a solution that is economical, less time, etc. If we tile over the existing tile the floor will be too high (doorjams and wood floor butting up to the existing tile. To put it simply, the door won't open and they'll be stubbing their toes a lot!) If we rip the tiles out - very messy. Painting would have been the best solution but not if the paint won't stick. I'll visit the tile store on Monday and start showing samples. Sometimes the high road is the best way and cutting budgets in this area doesn't sound like a good idea. I just hate to see anyone waste money if there is another way to get the same result. It really doesn't sound like there is here. At least I can say I gave it a shot. Thanks again.

 

Do you hjave AMTICO out there Angel?.....nice alternative to ceramic tiles.

 

I'm not sure if we have that product but I will check. What is it? Does it go over tiles or am I still left with ripping up the tile? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I have to apologise Angel, I got your homeland wrong...still getting used to this forum's layout and not seeing what was in front of my nose...i.e. your Canadian flag.
OK, Faux Effects is not available to you, well it is but at vast expense, but maybe better to look at the Canadian end of things. Look at Textureline products..Canadian supplier is Judy Arnold in Ontario, she may have the type of product you need, she's a lovely lady and very helpful. Google Fauxdepot to find her. The other person you might get in contact with is Joe Greco of Adicolor. These may not have the right bonding products you would need to paint the surface but they will know where to direct you. Both are incredibly professional people who know the market very well.

Amtico is a very high spec vinyl tile flooring that needs professionally layed. You may be able to get away with screeding the tiles and then laying a product like this but you would need to speak to a flooring specialist. Amtico is avaiable in the US..you'd need to do a search for Canada.

Where in Canada are you? I spent a happy 10 days with friend at Niagara on the Lake this summer with my family, my first trip to Canada.
Cait

 

Thanks again for your help. I have found a product called flex-c-ment. It's a flexible cement product that goes right over top of the existing tile. It's a bit pricey but it will avoid the mess at least. The colours will give me the faux finish that I am looking for so I think that might be the way to go here. I am a long way from Niagra on the lake as I am in British Columbia. Thanks again for your help.