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Easy
Instructions for Ceramic Tile Painting
By
Dawn Hall
You can permanently paint ceramic tile – no kiln
required! The following instructions below describe two different methods.
The heat set method is for tiles that are not yet installed and can be
“baked” in an oven. The air dry method is for tiles that are already
installed.
The Heat Set Method
For the heat set method, use Liquitex Glossies -
water-based acrylic enamel paints that are formulated to adhere to slick,
non-porous materials. When heat set, Liquitex Glossies dry to a scratch
resistant, high gloss finish.
First, clean the tiles with soap and warm water.
After rinsing, follow up a second time with rubbing alcohol or a 50/50
mixture of water and vinegar. Blot dry with a paper towel and avoid touching
the tiles.
Next, it’s time to paint. Liquitex Glossies are
very easy to use and to clean up. They can be mixed together to achieve any
color and air dry by evaporation. Mistakes can be corrected by wiping with a
damp rag while the paint is still wet, or repainting if the first coat has
already dried.
After the paint has completely air dried, place the
tiles on a cookie sheet and put in a cold oven. Set the temperature to 325
degrees F and “bake” for 45 minutes, then turn off the oven, open the door,
and let the tiles slowly cool.
Test the paint finish by lightly scratching the
surface with your fingernail. If the paint can be scratched, increase either
the drying time or the baking time. The tiles can then be installed using a
non-abrasive acrylic tile grout. The tiles can be cleaned with a mild dish
detergent and warm water – no abrasive cleaners.
The Air Dry Method
The air dry method requires a little more work, but
it is well worth it if you want to paint ceramic tiles that were previously
installed. For this method, use Delta Air Dry PermEnamel products.
To prepare the tiles for painting, first clean the
tiles with water and mild dish detergent - do not use glass cleaner, vinegar
or any other additive on the tiles. Follow up by applying Delta PermEnamel
Surface Conditioner with a clean, dry, soft paintbrush. The conditioner has
a life of four hours, so apply only to areas that can be painted within that
timeframe. The conditioner will leave a film on the tiles. Do not wipe off
this film – it contains the bonding agents needed to make the paint
permanent.
After the conditioner has had adequate time to
evaporate, paint the tiles using Delta Air Dry PermEnamel Paint. One word of
caution – this paint does not mix well with water. Do not use water to
dilute the paint, and make sure the brush is completely dry if it rinsed
with water. To correct painting mistakes, reapply the surface conditioner,
allow to evaporate, and then repaint.
After the paint has completely dried, apply
PermEnamel Glaze to further protect the new paint. Apply at least two coats
of glaze and allow one hour of dry time between applications.
The tiles must be air dried for ten full days
before the paint is considered permanent. No water or other liquid should
come in contact with the tiles during this time. Once cured, the tiles can
be washed with warm water and a mild dish detergent – no abrasive cleaners.
Final Thoughts...
Although both methods are considered permanent, be
cautious about using the tiles in areas that are repeatedly exposed to hot
water, as well as areas of heavy use.
Both methods can be used to paint the tiles an
entirely differently color, but if you feel creative, try painting tile
murals or other designs – either freehand or using stencils.
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