It’s no surprise that tiling adds a touch of style and durability to your home. But before you dive into your tiling project, it is important to consider the surface you’re working with. One common question on a lot of people’s minds is: ‘can you tile over paint’?
Well luckily for you, in this blog, we’ll explore the do’s and don’ts of tiling over paint and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision. Don’t forget to stock up on our impressive wall tiles before starting any DIY project.
Let’s get into it!
Can you tile over a painted surface?
So, can you tile over paint? Unfortunately, it’s generally not recommended to tile directly onto a painted surface. While it might be possible in some cases, it is not ideal and can lead to issues like poor adhesion and tile failure. A detailed examination of your painted surface should be made to decide whether it’s suitable or not.
Here are some reasons why it’s not a wise idea to tile over paint:
Poor adhesion – paint can create a barrier between the tile adhesive and the underlying surface, reducing the bond strength.
Paint failure – the adhesive can reactivate the paint, causing it to peel or bubble.
Tile failure – weak adhesion can lead to tiles falling off, especially larger or heavier ones.
However, if you are determined to tile over a painted surface whether that’s in your bathroom or kitchen, then there are some things that you should consider before doing so. These include:
The type of paint – gloss paint is generally more suitable for tiles than matte or emulsion paint as it provides a smoother, harder surface.
The condition of the paint – the paint already on your walls must be firmly attached and free from cracks or peeling.
Your tile size – whether you’re using kitchen tiles or ceramic tiles, a smaller sized tile is more suitable as they are less likely to fall off.
The adhesive you use – we recommend using a high-quality and flexible adhesive that is designed for difficult surfaces.
Properly prepare – thoroughly clean and roughen the painted surface to improve adhesion. It is also advisable to score the paint as much as possible with a sharp blade. This will allow the adhesive to bond to the subsurface.
If you’re still unsure, we recommend consulting with a professional tiler for advice or contacting us. Wondering whether you can tile over tiles? Have a read of our blog to find out!
How to remove paint from a surface
Now that you know that it’s best to tile onto a paint-free surface, you might be wondering what the easiest way to remove paint from a wall is. Luckily, there are plenty of easy rules that you can follow to make the process that little bit easier and prep your walls for their new tiles.
Assess the paint – first of all, determine if the paint on your wall is oil-based or water-based. Oil-based paints are a little bit more difficult to remove. Check if your paint is peeling or flaking – if it is, this is good, as it will be easier to remove!
Choose your preferred method – next, think about hows best to remove the paint from your wall. One preferred method is scraping, where you simply use a paint scraper or small knife to scrape off loose or peeling paint. Or you could use medium-grit sand paper to roughen the surface for better tile adhesion.
Remember: ensure you have good ventilation if you decide to use any chemical strippers and to wear the correct safety gear. You can also test a small area of your wall before removing your paint to see which method works best for you.
Don’t forget to pick up your tiling tools and accessories to make your DIY job that little bit easier.
Prep for your walls for tiling
Now that you’ve stripped your wall free of paint, it’s time to tile! Whether you’re tiling your kitchen or your bathroom, we’ve got the perfect tiles to suit your hands-on project.
Once you’ve scraped or steamed away your paint, there might be some residue like dirt or grease that prevents your adhesive from sticking to the surface. We recommend using a damp sponge or cloth and a small amount of mild cleaner with warm water to remove as much of the residue as possible.
Once the area is clean from residue, you’ll need to key the surface. Keying the surface helps your adhesive grip to the wall by creating small, rough grooves that help to maximise adhesion. A simple way to do this is by using sandpaper or scoring it with a knife or scraper. The rougher the surface, the stronger the tile adhesion will be!
After following these steps, you’re most likely to be tiling onto a more porous surface such as plaster. This is where we recommend using a primer, because when cement-based adhesive meets plaster, a reaction occurs that prevents adhesion and therefore your tiling will most likely fail. So, always use a primer!
Remember: your primer must be completely dry prior to tiling.
Choose affordable tiles with Raynesway Tile & Bathroom Warehouse!
Hopefully, this blog has answered your question to ‘Can you tile over paint’? While the recommended advice is no, we hope we’ve provided insights on how you can remove paint from surfaces and undertake the correct prep before starting your tiling project.
Here at Raynesway Tile Warehouse, we can provide you with our professional guidance to help you see your project through to completion. With one of the largest showrooms based in Derbyshire, we stock all the tools you need and a versatile range of tiles that will brighten up any space.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Or, feel free to call us on 01332 492 106. A member of our team will be more than happy to get back to you!
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