How to paint tiles

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Make light work of restoring your kitchen backdrop.

Tile tactics

Painting tiles is even easier than painting cupboards – and well worth the effort, as a splashback usually dictates the colour scheme of a room. Just make sure that your surfaces are clean and your masking tape is accurately applied. A grout pen is great for filling in the details after painting.

Step 1

First, clean the tiles thoroughly using White Knight Tile & Laminate Cleaner to remove any soap residue, grease and dust. Rinse tiles thoroughly and allow to dry. Cover areas you don’t want to get paint on with masking tape (use a roll that is at least 20mm-wide, and firmly smooth down the edges). Apply one coat of tile and laminate primer to the tiles and grout, ensuring that all areas are evenly covered.

Step 2

After four hours the primer should be dry, meaning you can apply the first of two coats of tile paint. This is a thick, glossy paint which is easy to apply. It brushes on in a smooth, shiny finish. Allow paint to dry for six hours before applying the second coat. This creates a hard-wearing finish.

Step 3

Once the second coat has dried, use a White Knight grout pen to paint in grout lines, then remove masking tape.

Words & styling: Alexia Biggs Photography: Scott Hawkins

Published in Notebook Magazine

Issue: September 2005

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Latest comments:

nico

added this comment at 12:14pm Fri 5th August, 2005

I am totally inspired by this economical kitchen makeover. I reckon I'll be spending this weekend painting some tiles! Looks amazing, but so simple. Love it.

karenlee

added this comment at 5:23pm Fri 5th August, 2005

im going to try it. it looks fabulous!!!

smauge

added this comment at 4:11pm Sun 7th August, 2005

When we bought our unit we painted the tiles in our kitchen and bathroom with the White Knight products and can highly recommend them. People thought we had retiled. As the bathroom had so many tiles it really saved us a packet. Love the fresh blue colour they used in this makeover.

Adam

added this comment at 11:05pm Sun 7th August, 2005

Another "quick trick" to give a kitchen, bathroom or laundry a fresh new look is to replace door handles on cupboards and update the taps. Makes the room look updated at fraction of the cost of a full reno!

alibroinowski

added this comment at 3:09pm Mon 8th August, 2005

Please could you explain how kitchen cupboards were painted?? Was there a product used under the new paint to ensure adhesion to the varnished wood underneath?? I am keen to do this, but want to ensure the result is long lasting. Alison

smauge

added this comment at 12:22pm Tue 9th August, 2005

The cupboard doors were sanded back first. They also applied a primer first but it doesn't explain in the mag if this helped with adherence. I'm sure if you ask at the hardware store someone can give you more tips.

rosequartz

added this comment at 7:49pm Tue 9th August, 2005

Well guess who's on a budget with a 70's kitchen.I am and i could easy do this as a single mother.painting that is the applience will have to wait.How easy does it look

smauge

added this comment at 2:51pm Thu 11th August, 2005

It is as easy as it looks (speaking from experience) and the results are priceless. It will inspire you to spend more time in the kitchen.

emzee01

added this comment at 10:12am Tue 16th August, 2005

i am going to try it on my bathroom ,as putting up new tiles are totasly out of our budget

coleyfish

added this comment at 7:50pm Sat 20th August, 2005

I can't believe the difference a coat of paint can make! So bright and refreshing. Now all I need is a 'quick fix' remedy that is just as inexpensive that gives me more cupboard space, a walk in pantry........(oh, I can dream, can't I??)

KatieH

added this comment at 11:22am Mon 22nd August, 2005

I am so inspired by this article!!! But what do I do if my benchtop is ugly? It is currently an off white with brown and beige specs (I am sure it was great in the 70's!). I am worried white colours will make it look worse!

elaine9010

added this comment at 9:58pm Mon 22nd August, 2005

Elaine at 9.15pm Mon 22 August 2005
I loved this makeover!I wanted to share with readers that I did a similar makeover in our home in rural NSW some 3 years ago,even have photos.White Knight tile and Laminate is fabulous.I painted all the cupboards,replaced handles,and THEN a HUGE old brown laminate wall.I was so happy with the end result that I want to do it again in our home here in Adelaide.Wish I could have bought that house back to SA. It is a great way to update on a budget.

topless_cj

added this comment at 9:13am Thu 25th August, 2005

I too found this article inspiring. If only I could paint the tiles in the unit I am renting!

Genna

added this comment at 1:25pm Thu 25th August, 2005

Gee I never knew you could do this. Thanks for the great tips.

jilldoug50

added this comment at 11:49pm Wed 31st August, 2005

Looks fabulous! Are the White Knight products waterproof enough to work in the bathroom & can you change the colour of the grout in the same way or what other product do you use?

smauge

added this comment at 5:54pm Thu 1st September, 2005

We used them in our bathroom to great success

chatty

added this comment at 7:25pm Sat 3rd September, 2005

Can someone tell me if the smell of the paint for the tiles ' knocks you out'...
But WOW it looks fantastic, what a great economical makeover...

smauge

added this comment at 2:32pm Wed 14th September, 2005

no more or less than regular paint

chelsea01

added this comment at 3:17pm Wed 14th September, 2005

Is it possible to re-paint bathroom floor tiles?

smauge

added this comment at 2:57pm Thu 15th September, 2005

The wear and tear any floor receives doesn't make this a good option - the paint would just come off. You are better off replacing the tiles or do what I did and match up the colours of the rest of the bathroom to the existing floor tiles.

shaitken

added this comment at 9:43pm Sat 24th September, 2005

This is an idea I want to try. Is it possible to paint over feature tiles with a slightly raised motif with this product as well? Would it be possible to see the motif after painting?

Vilia

added this comment at 5:32pm Tue 24th January, 2006

re the smell of paint. One of the paint manfacturers has put put an addative that you add to paint to decrease the smell. Im sure a hardware store will know the product. From memory, placing half an onion in a painted room absorbs the odours too!
Another tip for replacing cupboard handles is to take one of the handles with you when shopping. That way, you can buy another handle with the screw holes in the same place (it saves you from drilling new holes in the cupboard!)

Robbien

added this comment at 10:22am Mon 24th April, 2006

Replacing the cheap handles, with brushed chrome handles, on my otherwise modern kitchen cupboards, has totally transformed the area. Along with a lick of cream paint, the transformation has cost me less than $100 but has added $$$ to the place.

Robbien

added this comment at 10:28am Mon 24th April, 2006

To paint over ANY surface, without sanding, use a product called 'ESP Easy Surface Prep', available at hardware and paint shops. Wipe on, wipe off and paint in 90 minutes. Works well over enamel paint , without having to sand. SAVES HOURS of work. It was recommended to me by a professional painter.

denjon

added this comment at 4:25pm Tue 27th February, 2007

I am looking to paint my laminated kitchen cupboards with the white knight paints, but am concerned about the paint chipping with every day knocks... is there some type of sealer that can be painted on after or is this not needed