Repainting the tiling in the bathroom has a size advantage : this avoids having to take off the tiles, or even break them. The work is therefore much lighter and faster to carry out, less messy and more economical. Many owners and tenants are opting for this solution in order to restore little bit of new to this room where everyone spends a lot of time every day. As much the makeover to be in the tendency. But the result can only live up to expectations if we use a specific painting and we take a few precautions. Let’s do a check in.
What type of paint to choose for repainting bathroom tiles?
If one wishes revamp your bathroom without embarking on major works (like the home staging for example), the good idea is not to break the tiles, but simply to repaint it, whether on the floor or on the wall. Essential products for a zero defect result et durable are :
- an undercoat,
- A tile paint specifically designed for wet rooms.
Repainting a tile, moreover in a bathroom or shower room, is not the same as repainting an untiled support. No question of taking just any paint on the pretext that its color is exactly the one you are looking for. There is a superb variation of tones also in the departments intended for paints for tiling. But you can if you want to create your own paint color.
In any case, it must always be taken into account that the paint will be daily put to the test, between splashes, water vapor but also the products used to clean and fight against limescale deposits. It must therefore be damn resistant.
It would be better to avoid :
- Entry-level products and so-called “all supports” paint.
- Matt paint because the slightest drop of water will leave visible traces,
- The paint that does not require the application of an undercoat.
It’s necessary favor :
- An undercoat with hardener specifically designed to be laid on the tiles, which must be indicated on the pot,
- A waterproofing primer if the paint is to be applied to a natural stone tile,
- The paint, the pot of which must imperatively bear the mention “for tiling”,
- The glossy paint because it is the most appropriate or possibly satin.
The uninitiated should be careful to do not buy tile filler instead of paint. This is not at all the same type of product and the result is different because the coating completely hides the tiling giving a smooth appearance while the paint retains its appearance of the tiling since it only changes its color.
Repainting bathroom tiles: the recommended method
To achieve the best possible result, and not regret his audacity, it is advisable to do the following.
Preparation
- Ventilate the room throughout the work.
- Make sure the room temperature is between 15 and 20°C.
- If you have to repaint the floor tiles, it is imperative to switch off the floor heating device. It can only be relighted once the paint has applied and is completely dry. This may therefore take several days.
- Sand the tiling, manually or with an electric sander, in order to remove all of its varnished (shiny) surface: this preparation is essential for the primer coat and the paint to adhere well.
- Soak a sponge for works or a mop with a cleaning product capable of eliminating all the impurities on the tiling and the joints which must be scraped a little. You can use a mildly abrasive soap, rubbing alcohol or acetone. Skipping this step risks spoiling the final result.
- Check that all the surfaces to be repainted are clean and dry: there must be no dust, no roughness, no trace of humidity.
- Identify all silicone seals and remove them. The paint does not hold on this type of material.
- Before starting, read the supplier’s information printed on the pot and follow it to the letter, especially with regard to the exposure time because some paints dry very quickly. Exceeding the exposure time can lead to a final result that is not at all aesthetic.
- Divide the bathroom into several working areas if the room is large, and reserve a pot for each space.
Painting the bathroom tiles
By logic, the professionals begin to repaint the floor tile on the furthest part of the access door to the room. Doing the opposite is a serious mistake because you risk having to walk on the fresh paint to get out.
Spread the undercoat or the paint according to the chosen formula using a roller. It is necessary to stretch the paint well before smoothing it. This precaution makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous result. Small precision very useful for the wall tile : care must be taken not to load the roller too much with material in order to avoid drippings due to the verticality of the support. As they dry, they will leave unsightly marks.
Once the floor or wall is completely repainted, let it dry as indicated on the can of paint or undercoat. As a general rule, the drying time is a minimum of 24 hours.
Ask the top coat and mark a much longer drying time this time, of the order of 3 to 4 days during which the bathroom should not be used. This means that you don’t put the furniture back in place before the drying time has expired and that you don’t walk on the freshly painted tiles either.
Once everything is perfectly dry, you can turn on the heating device again and start replacing the silicone seals that you removed before repainting your tiles. After that, the completely remodeled bathroom can resume service.
This type of work can put off people who are shuddered by the sight of a simple paintbrush. Do not panic ! Just because you’re not a handyman doesn’t mean you have to settle for a bathroom from another age. You can assign the task to a artisan. To obtain several quotes, simply connect to a price comparison house painters.