Painting tiles: how do I do it, and what do I need to be aware of?
Can I paint tiles myself – or do I need a professional? Comparis gives you tips on painting tiles in the bathroom and other rooms.
29.01.2026
Jaeger Lacke/Comparis
1. Wall and floor tiles: what can I paint?
Bathrooms and kitchens in particular often still have old tiles. Instead of the expensive option of laying new tiles, painting them is a popular alternative. The good news is that you can paint over most tiles.
You’ll need to prepare properly though. You should thoroughly clean the tiles and, if necessary, sand them so that the paint adheres effectively. It’s also important that the tiles have a smooth and intact surface.
Painting floor tiles: is it possible?
Floor tiles are exposed to particularly high loads. However, with the right preparation and equipment, you can also achieve a long-lasting result with floor tiles. As a rule, so-called two-component tile varnishes. These varnishes are robust and hard-wearing.
Painting bathroom tiles: Can you paint bathroom tiles?
With the necessary knowledge and proper preparation, you can also paint tiles in the bathroom. Use a tile varnish specially designed for this application, that can also withstand high humidity.
Good to know: often, varnishes do not tolerate standing water. Therefore, you should not paint the floor tiles of a walk-in shower, for example.
2. Painting tiles: which paint is suitable?
Choose special tile paints and tile varnishes. High-quality tile paint is water-resistant, scratch-resistant and resistant to abrasion. These paints are suitable for painting over tiles:
One-component tile varnish is easy to work with. It is ideal for rooms with less wear and stress or for walls in the bathroom. A primer is often required to improve adhesion.
Two-component tile varnish is more durable and robust than one-component varnish. A primer is usually not required. Two-component varnishes consist of two components that you need to mix before use. Pay close attention to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure to also observe the drying times.
Chalk paint with a varnish finish produces a matt, powdery look. After painting, a clear two-component varnish is required. You should prime the tiles beforehand.
Practical tip: Don’t use normal wall paint for tiles. It adheres poorly to the smooth surface. Paint can come off with even a slight scuff.
Tile paints often contain high amounts of solvents. These release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This poses a health risk during painting as well as during the time the paint dries. In some cases, these volatile organic compounds can still be harmful to health even after the paint has dried.
These substances can directly cause breathing difficulties, headaches or irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. With frequent and long-term exposure, there is a risk of organ damage and chronic respiratory diseases as well as an increased risk of cancer.
This is how you reduce the risk:
Ventilate well: During and after painting, you should ventilate the rooms well.
Wear respiratory protection: A respirator mask is important for protecting your respiratory tract.
Choose safe products: There are paints and sealants with little or no solvents. They are less harmful to health.
Protective gloves and clothing to avoid direct skin contact with chemicals.
Choose water-based tile paint: They contain less or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The health risk is lower with these paints. However, these paints do not adhere as well. They are also less resistant and durable than solvent-based paints.
Tile varnish and tile paint usually mean the same thing.
Tile varnish has the following disadvantages:
Lifespan: Even good tile varnish generally does not last as long as the surface of the tiles. This is especially true for heavily used areas.
Painting effort: Painting tiles requires a lot of preparation and several coats of paint. The drying time of the coats of paint also means that the room is often unusable for several days.
Health hazard: Many tile varnishes contain harmful substances.
Appearance: Since the joints are usually painted over, the appearance of the tiled surface changes.
Application errors: Sloppy work results in a less attractive final appearance. For example, this can lead to runs or stains.
However, tile paints also offer the following advantages:
Costs: Painting tiles is cheaper than laying new ones.
Time and mess: Painting the tiles takes less time than laying new tiles. There is also less dust and waste.
3. Should I paint tiles myself or hire a painter?
If you paint the tiles yourself, you can save money. In addition, you can carry out the project entirely according to your schedule. You also have room for creative ideas.
However, there are also challenges: painting tiles requires patience. For the right preparation, the right colour and even application, you also need manual skills.
With a good painting company, you generally benefit from high-quality materials and professional techniques. This guarantees a durable and uniform result. You save yourself time and the stress of doing the work yourself. The disadvantage here lies mainly in the higher costs.
Advantages and disadvantages at a glance:
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Doing the painting yourself | Cost-saving, creative, flexible scheduling | Requires patience, manual skills and good preparation |
| Working independently | Risk of errors and a potentially less durable result | |
| Painting company | Professional, long-lasting result | Higher costs, less influence on the process |
| Saves time and effort | Less room for your own creativity |
The decision is yours: do you want to save money and get creative yourself? Or would you rather save time and achieve the most professional result possible?
4. Painting over tiles: instructions
In the following list you will see the typical steps when painting over wall and floor tiles. However, the steps may differ depending on the paint and tile material used. It is best to follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions.
You will generally need the following materials you usually need to paint over tiles:
Degreaser
Tile paint
Paint brush
Paint roller
Brush cleaner
Paint tray
Sandpaper
Masking tape & masking film
Mixing stick
Protective gear and respirator
Grout knife
Sanitary silicone
2-component filler, if necessary
Comparis tip: Before painting, test the tile paint on an old tile. This way, you can first assess whether you really like the colour and how well the paint adheres to the tile.
First, prepare the room for painting in advance. This means protecting everything that shouldn’t get painted. For example, put away small items.
Also, cover the furniture as well, for example, with masking film. You can cover tap fittings with painter’s tape.
Would you also like to paint the walls without tiles? It’s best to do this before you deal with the tiles.
First, you need to prepare the tiles for painting. To do this, you should carry out the following tasks:
Repair any damage: Repair damage such as hairline cracks or dents beforehand with a suitable filler.
Silicone joints: Remove silicone joints with a joint or carpet knife. If the silicone is brittle, you may need to use a silicone remover.
Clean and degrease the tiles: Remove dirt and dust from the tiles with water and a brush. Depending on the tile material and paint, you should roughen the surface with fine sandpaper. Degrease the surface with a suitable degreaser.
Important: The tiles must be clean, free of grease and dry before painting. Therefore, allow the tiles to dry for at least one to two hours before painting.
Depending on the varnish, you may need to mix it. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions when doing this. Important: The processing time of self-mixed paints is limited. Therefore, only mix as much paint as you need.
Prime the tiles evenly with a brush and a foam roller. To do this, use a special primer varnish or bonding primer.
Allow the primer to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. As a rule, the paint takes between 16 and 24 hours to dry.
Good to know: There are special 2-in-1 tile paints that don’t require priming.
First, paint the edge area, hard-to-reach spots and the tile joints with a paint brush first. Then immediately coat the pre-painted areas evenly with a suitable paint roller. Make sure that the pre-painted areas are still damp when painting over them with the roller.
Allow the paint to dry for at least 12 hours. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions for the drying time. Now paint the tiles with a fresh brush and paint roller again. Then let the paint dry again.
Good to know: At most, several coats may be necessary. This varies depending on the original colour of the tiles and the paint.
Important: The surface should not be subjected to any load for 3–5 days and should not come into contact with water.
Especially with chalk paints, a varnish finish is required. For floor tiles, a sealant can extend the lifespan of the new colour. Paint the tiles with it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Important: Wait at least 24 hours between the last coat and the sealant.
Remove all covers and masking tape. Then apply new silicone joints where you previously removed them. Proceed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. How long does a new coat of paint on tiles last?
As a rule, good tile paint should last about three to ten years. The durability depends on various factors:
Type and quality of the paint
Quality of preparation and painting
Ambient conditions (e.g. humidity or temperature)
Wear and stress on the surface
In the case of heavy wear and stress the paint will wear out faster. If floor tiles that have been painted over are often walked on with outdoor footwear, for example, they will wear out faster.
Tile paint in the bathroom usually lasts for three to ten years. How long it lasts exactly depends, among other things, on the location and the cleaning agents. For example, the paint lasts for a shorter time in wet areas than in drier places. Aggressive cleaning products can also shorten its lifespan.
6. Can I paint the tiles in a rented apartment?
According to the law, painting over tiles is considered a structural change to your rental property (Art. 260a OR). That’s why you need permission from your landlord. This applies regardless of whether you hire a professional painter or do the painting yourself.
If there is written consent, the landlord generally cannot demand that the rental property be restored to its original condition when it is returned. Exception: you have agreed to the restoration in writing.
7. Frequently asked questions about painting over tiles
Whether you can paint directly over tiles depends on the paint. Many paints require a primer first.
Important: regardless of the primer, you must prepare the tiles before painting.
You can paint most tiles. However, due to the increased load, you can only paint floor tiles with special varnishes.
However, some tiles are less suitable for painting. These include:
Glazed tiles
Tiles with a very smooth surface
Marble tiles
Natural stone tiles
If in doubt, ask a professional for advice.
Whether you can paint your tiles without a primer is dependent on the lacquer used. Some lacquers do not require a primer. Check the manufacturer’s instructions.
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This article was first published on 23.10.2024
