Painting bathroom tiles

[IFBB]

Has anyone done this before, and how did it turn out?

Renovating an IP, and am not too keen on spending a lot of money on it if i can avoid. Its in a decent area, but not blue chip, so a quick paint should freshen it up a bit. Was quoted today for Thermoglaze, and that came to about $4500, which is 75% of what a kitchen, paint, and new flooring is costing me.

Is the stuff Bunnings etc sell a decent quality product, and would a normal painter be able to do it, or are there specialists in this field?

Any help would be great on this, thanks.

 

[Jamie M]

I tiled over tiles once. It was on a bath. I didn't want to rip the old tiles off because I suspected there was asbestos sheeting underneath.

I think it was "ultrabond" that I used. We just slapped that stuff over the existing tiles - let is dry and then tiled the newer tiles over the top. You wouldn't be able to to tell.

We looked into the painting over tile option as well. I can't remember why we chose not to do it. I do remember watching some youtube clips on tile painting though which might help.

Cheers

Jamie

 

[Jacque]

I've done it a few times now using White Knight products for wall tiles and kitchen cupboards and splashbacks- just take your time, clean well and prepare beforehand for a superior result. Happy painting

 

[wobbycarly]

I've done it a few times now using White Knight products for wall tiles and kitchen cupboards and splashbacks- just take your time, clean well and prepare beforehand for a superior result. Happy painting

+1 for White Knight Tile (and/or Laminate) paint. Our ensuite floor has even held up for about 8 years.

 

[IFBB]

Great to hear, thanks guys!

I have a friend who is painting the place (fully qualified), but has never painted tiles before. Is there anything i should tell him, any special techniques?

 

[Propertunity]

I have an ensuite bathroom that has now been done for 6 years and still looks fine. (did not use it on the floors though).

You can find many more experiences of posters on this subject if you google:
site:somersoft.com "white knight"

I have a friend who is painting the place (fully qualified), but has never painted tiles before. Is there anything i should tell him, any special techniques?

1. Follow the directions on the can - make sure the tiles are very clean
2. Make sure the tiles are not 'drummy' and if some are, remove them and reglue them back in
3. Make sure the grout is in good condition - and if any is craked or missing, regrout and let dry before painting over
4. You won't be able to paint over silicone - so watch the edges

Basically you just need a clean solid surface to paint over.
Oh, and if you dont want to leave brush marks, use a small high density foam roller for enamel paints.

 

[knightm]

yep ive done pink bathroom wall tiles white in white knight and they are ok.

Now that I have done both tho part of me says just rip the old ones off and retile. Its not expensive just messy and i had fun learning.

For floor tiles if they are rock solid def can tile over - I have done once ages ago used an angle grinder to cut grooves all over the faces of tiles then tile straight over 3 yrs no problems and looks literally good as new.

 

[Investor78]

I live in a rental and you can tell the landlord painted over the previous bathroom tiles. I don't know how long ago it was done (although it looked pretty fresh when i moved in 10 months ago) but the paint is starting to bubble in a couple of places and I have already removed a few chunks of paint whilst cleaning the shower area.

So I would say be careful doing it as others have suggested, but maybe there is some kind of sealant product that you can go over the paint with. Especially for the wetter areas of the bathroom.

 

[wobbycarly]

I live in a rental and you can tell the landlord painted over the previous bathroom tiles. I don't know how long ago it was done (although it looked pretty fresh when i moved in 10 months ago) but the paint is starting to bubble in a couple of places and I have already removed a few chunks of paint whilst cleaning the shower area.

So I would say be careful doing it as others have suggested, but maybe there is some kind of sealant product that you can go over the paint with. Especially for the wetter areas of the bathroom.

Wouldn't suggest Tile Paint for wet areas like this. "Tub and Tile" (I think) is a better product that will suit wet areas. We did a discoloured shower base with the right product, and sure, it looks painted (I used a brush, instead of a roller ) but it's stuck.

As with all painting, the right preparation is the key.

 

[JASA]

I wouldn't do it......it looks like the tacky cover up job that it is and whenever I inspect a property and see it has been done I get annoyed just looking at it. It makes me wonder what other quick cover up jobs may have been done on the property. Ask any property manager, how many times they need to call maintenance to repair peeling shower cubicles?

 

[IFBB]

Mixed reports about it, but have already got the stuff so may as well use it.

Not the property or time to be spending the money to put in a new bathroom, as already it is cutting pretty close to budget. In a more blue chip area, would have def retiled or used Thermo-Glaze.

Did you guys get a professional to do it, or did it yourselves? Maybe that could be the difference between it lasting and it peeling?

Heading in the give all the tiles a good clean in the next day or 2, then the painter will prepare them and give them a few coats with a roller maybe around the end of the week.

 

[Hysteria]

I used white Knight tub and tile on an old bath tub in a IP. 2 years later it still has a rich white gloss to it.

 

[Hysteria]

I actually did try it on a some tiles...didnt like the look, it did look rather cheap and tacky..so i did end up putting new tiles in...but the bath tub i did being smooth and prepared and no grout lines come up like a new tub.
I have some before and after pics of the tub, let me no and will post them if interested

 

[Propertunity]

Did you guys get a professional to do it, or did it yourselves? Maybe that could be the difference between it lasting and it peeling?.

We tend to be a bunch of DIYers here
We like to splash our own paint around.
Whether it peels or not will have more to do with the cleaning and preparation (or lack thereof) than with who is working the brush or roller.