How to paint tiles

Video by B&Q. This guide is based on tile painting advice from the official B&Q YouTube channel. The video covers preparation, priming, and painting with clear step-by-step demonstrations. Worth watching before you choose your paint and get started.

1. Check that the tiles are suitable for painting

Most ceramic and porcelain wall tiles can be painted. Natural stone and heavily textured tiles are more difficult and may not give a clean finish. Cracked, loose, or mouldy tiles should be repaired or replaced before painting — paint will not bridge cracks or stick to tiles that are not fully bonded to the wall.

Also check the grout. Discoloured or crumbling grout should be raked out and re-grouted before you start. Once painted, the grout lines will be far more visible, so make sure they are in good condition first.

2. Clean the tiles thoroughly

Tiles in a bathroom or kitchen accumulate soap scum, grease, and limescale. All of it must come off before paint goes on. Use a sugar soap solution and a scouring pad to scrub every tile, paying attention to the grout lines. Rinse well and let the surface dry completely — allow at least 24 hours in a well-ventilated room.

Any mould must be treated with a fungicidal wash and left to dry before you continue. If mould has penetrated deeply into the grout, replace the grout rather than painting over it.

3. Sand and key the surface

Tile paint needs something to grip. Use 120-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper to scuff the entire tile surface with small circular strokes. You are not trying to remove the glaze — just dull it so the primer can bond. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove the dust, and allow to dry again.

Do not skip this step. A well-keyed surface is the single biggest factor in how long the paint lasts.

4. Mask up and protect the surroundings

Run masking tape along skirting boards, bath panels, window frames, and any other surfaces you do not want painted. Cover the bath, basin, and floor with dust sheets. Tile paint is hard to remove from grouting and sealant once it dries, so take the time to mask carefully.

Make sure the room is ventilated — open a window and, if you have an extractor fan, leave it running. Most tile paints have a strong solvent smell.

5. Apply a tile primer

Use a primer designed for tiles or hard-to-paint surfaces. Apply a thin, even coat with a foam roller and cut in at the edges with a brush. Keep the coat thin — a thick first coat is more likely to run and takes longer to dry.

Allow the primer to dry fully according to the manufacturer’s instructions before moving on. Rushing this stage is where most paint jobs fail.

6. Apply two coats of tile paint

Tile paint comes in one-part and two-part formulas. Two-part epoxy tile paint is harder and more durable but more expensive and more difficult to apply. For a DIY job in a family bathroom, a quality one-part tile paint gives good results if the preparation has been done properly.

Apply the first coat thinly with a foam roller. Let it dry completely, then lightly sand with 240-grit paper to smooth any roller texture. Wipe the dust off and apply the second coat. Two thin coats are always better than one thick one.

7. Add a protective topcoat

In wet areas like showers and bath surrounds, finish with a clear waterproof topcoat to protect the paint from water and cleaning products. In a kitchen, a tile varnish will resist grease and steam. Apply one thin coat, leave to cure for the time stated on the tin, and avoid scrubbing the surface for the first week.

When to call a handyman

Call Richard if there are cracked or loose tiles that need replacing before painting, the grout needs re-doing, or you want the job finished properly in a single day without the faff of doing each stage yourself over a week.