Paint wall tiles — HomeGraft

Clean, prime and repaint ceramic wall tiles for a fresh, hard-wearing finish without full retiling.

PT-01Clear the room and protect surfacesTake down towels, mats and anything on shelves or sills. Lay dust sheets over the floor, bath, basin or worktop below the tiles. Mask skirting, worktops and any exposed pipework with painter's tape so drips and dust don't mark them.

1 each · Dust sheet

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1 roll · Painter's tape 50mm

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PT-02Deep-clean the tilesWash every tile and grout line with sugar soap and warm water, working in small sections. This strips soap scum, grease and silicone residue that stop paint sticking. Pay extra attention to areas near a cooker or sink where grease builds up.

1 bottle · Sugar soap 500ml

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4 each · Cleaning cloths

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PT-03Rinse and leave to dry fullyRinse off all sugar soap residue with clean water and a fresh cloth. Leave the tiles to dry completely for at least 24 hours before doing anything else. Any dampness trapped under paint will cause it to peel later.

PT-04Fill chips and repair damaged groutFill any chipped tile edges or corners with a flexible tile repair filler, then smooth it flush with a plastic scraper. Rake out and repoint any crumbling or mouldy grout lines. Let all repairs cure fully following the pack instructions before moving on.

1 tube · Tile repair filler

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1 tub · Grout (small tub)

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PT-05Key the glaze so paint can gripRub every tile with a fine abrasive pad or 240-grit sandpaper until the shiny glaze looks dull and matt all over. You are not trying to remove the glaze, just scuff it. Skipping this step is the main reason tile paint peels off within weeks.

2 each · Fine abrasive pad (Scotch-Brite style)

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PT-06Wipe down dust and re-maskWipe every tile with a damp cloth then a dry one to remove all sanding dust. Check your masking tape is still stuck down firmly along skirting, worktops and fittings. Open a window and, if you have one, run an extractor fan ready for the next step.

2 each · Cleaning cloths

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PT-07Apply a specialist tile primerUse a purpose-made tile or multi-surface adhesion primer, not ordinary wall paint, or the topcoat will not bond properly. Apply one thin, even coat with a mini roller, getting into grout lines with a small brush. Primer fumes can be strong, so keep the window open and the extractor fan running, and leave the room to ventilate while it dries for the time stated on the tin.

1 tin · Tile adhesion primer 750ml

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1 set · Mini roller and tray set

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1 each · Small angled paintbrush

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PT-08Apply two coats of tile paintOnce the primer is fully dry, apply the first coat of tile paint thinly and evenly with the roller, cutting in around edges with the brush. Leave to dry for the time stated on the tin, usually a few hours, then apply a second coat for full, even coverage. Keep ventilating the room while the paint dries.

1 tin · Tile paint 750ml

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PT-09Reseal wet-area edgesOnce the paint has fully cured, following the tin's guidance, cut out any old silicone around the bath, shower tray or sink using a sealant scraper. Run a fresh, neat bead of silicone sealant along these joints. This keeps water out and protects your new paint finish from splashback damage.

1 tube · Bathroom silicone sealant

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1 each · Sealant gun

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PT-10Remove masking and let the room standPeel off all masking tape carefully while the paint is fully cured, pulling it away at a shallow angle so it doesn't lift the edge of the paintwork. Lift dust sheets and give the room a final wipe down. Avoid steam, splashes or scrubbing the tiles for at least 48 hours to let everything harden fully.

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