Painting tiles

[Kingsley]

Hello

I want to paint over some tiles, should I use special tile paint or can I use regular gloss?

Thanks
Kingsley

 

[masona]

I would use tile paint as it's design for it.

 

[shiznit76]

this is a good tip, you can use the tester pots of paints from diy stores then go over it in varnish, gloss, satin , matt which ever you prefer and this gives a very hard wearing coat without the cost of tile paint, and in my opinion a better finish

 

[Kingsley]

Thanks for the replies.
I can't find the colour I want in special tile paint. shiznit76, do you mean paint them using a regular paint and then use a gloss or satin varnish?

 

[shiznit76]

yip, works a treat believe me

 

[Panjandrum]

Works wonders really. You can be very flexible with painting tiles as long as they aren't going to get knocked much. I've had all kinds of original patterns painted with emulsion, or odd testpots, on tiles - then water-based matt on top. You can be as creative as you like. It's cheap, and if you don't like it or it gets chipped, start again.

 

[HIGHRISE]

If you want to use normal paint on tiles you should first prime them with a
specialist primer (dulux ultra grip 2 part epoxy is ideal) then the emulsion or gloss will adhere properly. If you don`t do this or use tile paint then you will not get decent long lasting adhesion to the tiles. Anything else is a bodge.

 

[Panjandrum]

One person's bodge might be another's short-term brighten-up of an awful tile job. Depends what you are after. We had a "bodge" that lasted perfectly well for years before we could afford a proper tiles-off-plaster-retile job. Eggshelled the lot, testers on odd tiles for dramatic effect. No staying power but a lot better than glossy dark blue tiles

 

[Zampa]

One person's bodge might be another's short-term brighten-up of an awful tile job. Depends what you are after. We had a "bodge" that lasted perfectly well for years before we could afford a proper tiles-off-plaster-retile job. Eggshelled the lot, testers on odd tiles for dramatic effect. No staying power but a lot better than glossy dark blue tiles

Depends on the surface of the tiles, if they are hi glazed and very shiny then id definatly avoid emulsion followed by varnished etc......thats a fatal cocktail.

if they are matt-ish earthernware types then you may get lucky by applying emulsion....personally i wouldnt risk it.

You could try a coat of alkali resisting primer first as it sticks to most surfaces.....or all purpose primer and then coat with eggshell.

One tip......use a small foam roller....the rad roller type less orange peel effect......and no brush marks

 

[Panjandrum]

I'll say it again. For a very convenient cover to really appalling tiles you have just moved in on, emulsion - including testers - covered by your choice of water-based clear finish, will keep you sane for a couple of years until you have the funds to do the job right. Don't knock a well-understood but attractive temporary cover - that might in other circumstances be considered a bodge.