How To Paint Ceramic Tile In Kitchen | Home Cosmetica Guide
Ceramic tile is an ideal material that enhances the beauty of kitchen backsplashes, countertops, and flooring. It’s a thin slab of clay or other inorganic materials coated with some kind of glaze. It usually doesn’t harbor germs and allows you to clean it easily whenever you want.
If you install the wrong tiles, they can give your kitchen an outdated look and don’t fit with the décor and modern appliances. Now, you have two options to do, whether you have to rip out the tiles and replace them or paint your old ceramic tiles.
The second one is a less expensive solution that you may prefer. And most surprisingly, our today’s topic is how to paint ceramic tile in kitchen. Although the entire process needs some careful tasks, it’s a simple project that you can tackle without any hassle.
If you paint the ceramic tiles of your kitchen, you’ll not only be able to restore them but also change their colors as your preference. However, are you still confused about how the entire process works? Follow our step-by-step guide below and make your kitchen well-renovated.
So, let’s dive in!
How to Paint Ceramic Tile in Kitchen

When you’re going to paint ceramic tile in your kitchen, you have to follow some essential steps. Make sure that you’re following the steps, using top-quality tools and materials, and taking your time to complete the project.
Choose the Right Places
There are certain kitchen areas that you should avoid painting. Places like countertop and floor beside the sink are high-moisture areas. Instead, you should opt for other places such as countertop located away from the sink or backsplash behind the stove.
Accumulate Necessary Materials and Tools
If you want to have a smooth ceramic-tiled kitchen, a good quality primer can fulfill your desire. You should choose an epoxy or urethane bonding primer that offers the most durability of your paint. Besides this, you’ll need the following tools and materials.
- Regular & Scrub Sponge
- Abrasive Tile Cleaner
- Drop Cloth
- Painter’s Tape
- Paint Tray
- Latex Paint
- 200-grit Sandpaper
- Dust Mask
- Paintbrush or Roller
- Bonding Primer (Don’t forget)
- Orbital Sander
- Water
Prepare the Tiles
Preparing the ceramic tiles is necessary before applying the primer. It includes removing the debris, dirt, and film that cover the tiles. If your tiles are glazed, they’re less likely to stick the paint. So, you need to sand them properly.
Before starting the sanding process, open the windows and apply an abrasive cleaner to the tiles. Remove grime from tiles and grout by using a scrub sponge. After 20 minutes, rinse the tiles with water and damp sponge. Finally, let them dry for several hours.
You’re now ready to sand the entire surface. To do this, use an orbital sander or 200-grit sandpaper for sanding the ceramic tiles. Next, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and wait for 30 minutes so that the surface can thoroughly dry.
Repair any Crack Tile or Missing Grouts
If you find several areas where grouts are missing and cracked tiles need repairing, you should fix them before applying the primer. Regrouting requires a lot of time, but we have an easy solution. Use paintable caulk to fill the missing-grout areas.
Apply the Primer
Using a primer is a must before painting ceramic tiles. The primer helps the paint stick to the tiles and prevents the moisture from building up. Although it comes in a variety of types, you should use a bonding primer that properly sticks to the surface.
To begin the process, cover doors, windows, and towel bars by placing a drop cloth with painter’s tape. Make sure that you keep the windows open to allow proper ventilation. In the end, apply a small amount of bonding primer to the tiles and grouts and let them dry.
If the primer starts bubbling up or doesn’t stick to the surface properly, you’ll have to clean the area and reapply the primer. To get better results, choose a small area to use the primer. You should use a roller or brush to apply it to the rest of the surface.
Related blog: How To Grout Tile Backsplash? [Read here]
Paint the Ceramic Tiles

Once you’ve thoroughly applied the primer and it has fully dried, it’s time to paint the ceramic tiles in your kitchen. You can use either Alkyd Paint or Oil-based Paint, depending on your preference. Follow the steps below to paint the entire backsplash tiles.
- Take a paint tray and pour the paint into it.
- Paint the entire surface by using a brush or roller.
- Let the paint thoroughly dry.
- Wipe away any residue by using a damp cloth.
- Paint another new coat and end up the painting process.
Along with a coat of primer, you have to provide two more coats of paint to the entire surface. You can also apply several coats of a polyurethane sealer near the countertops to create a moisture-resistant surface. This will protect the areas from the black soot.
Stencil on Ceramic Tile (Optional)
Stenciling is something that can enhance the beauty of ceramic tiles. If you apply it in your kitchen, the look of your kitchen will be changed. Once you’ve painted the entire backsplash tiles, you can apply stencils that match the shape and size of your tiles.
To do this, you have to apply the desired stencil to the tile and secure it with painter’s tape. Then, paint with the color you choose and use a stencil brush for a fine touch. Once you’ve stenciled on the entire surface, let the paint thoroughly dry.

Frequently Asked Questions
#What kind of paint do you use on ceramic tiles?
There are two types of paints that you can use on ceramic tiles: latex paint and epoxy paint.
#Is painting kitchen tiles a good idea?
Painting kitchen tiles is an excellent and quick way to make the old tiles look new. In terms of costs, painting kitchen tiles is a better option than replacing them.
#How do you paint over old kitchen tiles?
Before painting your old kitchen tiles, you need to sand the tiles and apply a primer on them. Once you’ve done these things, you can paint your old kitchen tiles without any hassle.
Conclusion
After all, you’ve already known how to paint ceramic tile in kitchen. You can paint the most areas of your kitchen, but you should avoid painting kitchen countertops. These places are not useful to paint because they’re directly exposed to moisture.
However, we hope you’ve got a clear understanding of how to do a painting ceramic tile project. If you still have any confusion, feel free to ask us by leaving a comment below. You can also share your real-life experience and valuable suggestions to improve this guide.