Top 5 Tips On How To Paint Tiles

Plate on tile background

Whether you’re painting your first set of tiles or your fortieth, there are sure to be some tips that will make the process easier and more enjoyable. The right preparation will make all the difference when it comes to having the right look for your base layout. Here are our top five tips on how to paint tiles:

Clean Your Tile Set-up

As with any craft, cleaning your tile set-up is important before you begin. This includes removing the old, messy walls and using a grout cleaner to remove any excess dust or dirt.

Wipe down the surrounding tiles with a sponge and then a mild soap/water solution to clean any remaining dirt or grime. Clean and dry your hands thoroughly before you start your tile painting process. Using alcohol-free, water-based paint will allow you to clean your brushes better and make the paint cleaner and easier to apply. You can also purchase alcohol-free, water-based paints like Fusion Mineral Paint.

Use the Right Brush

image 888ae6ee8e5c183cbc697616e12d72dd 800
Stalmeester Flat #15 Brush

While you can use almost any brush for painting tile, we recommend Staalmeester’s flat-edge brushes for walls. These have a slightly thicker tip for better coverage and will allow for more creative painting techniques.

Before you begin your project, select your favorite brushes and clean them thoroughly. Your base paint should be water-based and be applied with a paintbrush. We recommend using a light application of color to prevent the brush from becoming too saturated.

Apply a light color first and allow the brush to absorb the color before applying another color. You can add a few drops of color to the water before you mix it with other ingredients.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment When Learning How To Paint Tiles

Like with any craft, it’s important to experiment and find what works best for your style. Paint a few samples of your base paint on a piece of paper and use it to test different looks and techniques. This will allow you to find what works best for your personal taste and style.

How to Paint Tiles - A Place Called Home GA 2

For example, you might like to add a colored border around your base paint to give it a more complex look. Try painting a few test samples with a border of your choosing to see what you like best. You can also try painting the sample on a piece of paper and then painting it on the tile to test out different techniques and see what looks best.

Use Decals!

Decals are easy to use and allow you to apply designs and images to any surface. These can be used on tiles, walls, cabinets, countertops, or other hard or less-used surfaces.

Decals cost less than fabric or paper masks and allow you to create a realistic, detailed design or image without doing any prep work. If you want to add a special touch to your project, consider adding a decal of your choice to the back of the painting canvas. This will allow you to save your painted canvas and easily switch between looks or projects without having to remove the decal.

Don’t Over-paint

Over-painting is a common problem we see in amateur tile painters. They think they need more color and go overboard, thinking they have plenty of paint to go around. In reality, they have more paint than they need and could potentially end up with a bad result.

You can experiment with additional colors depending on the look you want for your project. Using a few drops of additional colors in moderation can result in beautiful, unique tiles that will stand out.

To prevent this from happening, take your time while painting. You don’t have to rush your work and risk making a bad impression with the end result, but don’t be afraid to take your time and allow the paint to dry before moving on to the next step.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned how to paint tiles with our tips, what’s next? The best way to begin your tile painting journey is to get started small. Pick a project that you are interested in and work on that for a few weeks before moving on to something else.

Be patient and dedicated; learning how to paint tiles like a pro takes time. Practice makes perfect, and with time, you’ll be able to create amazing, colorful designs easily.

We host workshops twice a month if you’re interested in perfecting your craft! Register for upcoming classes today and call 409-284-3699.

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Gaynelle Khan

Gaynelle Khan

A certified Fusion Mineral Paint merchant… we carry the full Fusion line and love refinishing furniture and teaching customers how to “Paint It Beautiful”!

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gaynelle-khan
Gaynelle Khan
A certified Fusion Mineral Paint merchant… we carry the full Fusion line and love refinishing furniture and teaching customers how to “Paint It Beautiful”!
gaynelle-khan-owner
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