Can anyone come and talk to me about tile paint?

[Cathpot]

I have been putting off decorating the kitchen as we plan to rip it out and remodel downstairs completely. However I have finally admitted to myself that it may be several years before we have the money to do this and I am stuck with what we have for a while , which is really not my taste . The walls (yellow with pinky orange woodwork) are easy to sort out, but the tiles are a pinky orange to match and there are a lot of them. Is painting them a realistic option or would that look worse? I'm am OK at painting etc but not brilliant, although I would follow instructions to the letter if someone wanted to give me some?!

Used it in a bathroom and would not recommend as it just peeled off eventually, did look lovely having cream coloured tiles instead of original 1930's pink and black chessboard style. Maybe work better in a kitchen as less wet?

That's what I'm worried about - I also have bathroom issues- black and silver 1980s style tiles paired with faux Victorian taps etc. I can't justify retiling - unless I learn to do it myself I suppose!

Have you looked at tile stickers? They come in different sizes so you should be able to find some that fit.

It's ok for a while then it peels.

It should be ok if you don't get it too wet. I painted fireplace tiles in about 2001 and intenet stalking tells me that the paint was still in situ last time the flat was sold (2 years ago). I just used universal tile paint.

I have used it twice, on the same tiles at 10 year intervals.

No peeling whatsoever so far. Having said that, there was a lot of care taken when preparing the tiles for the paint:
Make 300% sure the surfaces are beyond clean and free from grease otherwise they would wrinkle and peel off as soon as they get some steam nearby.

Use trade products, not home brands. International paints used to do a wonderful paint that was more expensive than those produced by other brands. As I mentioned they stood in perfect condition for 11-12 years, until 3 years ago when I wanted to change the colour.

This time I used a primer combo by Dulux (two tins you need to mix together) that didn't come cheap at over £50. Once the primer was dry and ready, I used Dulux gloss paint (I wanted the wall cabinets and tiles in the same colour so I used satinwood on the cabinets and gloss on the tiles)

Having said that, it was NOT a weekend job. Lots of waiting for the products to work their magic. I also messed up a bit this time when I applied the gloss paint on them as I didn't keep stiring the paint as I took it straight from the tin, which meant the first layer was too oily and I had 2 wait 2 weeks before I could apply the second coat.

Thanks for your replies - usual information. Some of the tiles are behind the cooker so they are pretty greasy. I'm wondering whether to just price very cheap white tiles and get a proper job. It's so frustrating paying out for a hopefully temporary fix. The downstairs bathroom might be a better bet as the current tiles are clean and it's only used for drying clothes and an extra loo so no steam etc.

You could over tile the existing tiles if they are well attached as this is a lot quicker. True it's not recommended but it quite common. I always think painted tiles look a bit "changing rooms" - a rough bodge... but each to their own:)

If you chip out the top large of grout, paint, then grout again it will look better.

I painted the tiles in a crappy kitchen about 5 years ago and they still look sparkly and perfect now. However I second the poster who said make sure you prepare really well. I simply followed the instructions on the tin. It was standard paint bought in the equivalent of B&Q (but in Australia). They insisted on tile primer underneath, and cleaning the tiles first.

On the top coat (mine was definitely shiny gloss style) I was initially worried as I had what looked like tiny bubbles in when I painted (the tiles were seventies style with loads of little round dents in them) but when it dried they had gone and it dried really well. No peeling or chipping or anything since.

No regrets from me. I'm about to do the same thing for my parents in a bathroom. Hopefully it will be just as successful!

Tiling is really not that difficult, I really enjoy it - and I think it's more worth the effort than painting. Painting tiles does make them look better than they were but I agree you definitely need to regrout, and now I have tried tiling I don't think I'd bother again especially for a relatively small area at a nice working height like a splash back.

*layer of grout

i used ronseal one coat tile paint - done 2 coats tho to be sure, 6 years later its still looking good apart from the tiles behind my cooker which started to flake a bit (im assuming cos of the extra heat) i have done black in the kitchen and white in the bathroom

my tip would be to use a brush to do the edges like you would painting a wall, then use a gloss roller to do the rest, it goes on smoother, when i done my kitchen i used a brush but when i done the bathroom tiles i used the roller and it was much better
not sure what colour you are going but i done my bathroom with white and accidently splashed hair dye on it and i couldnt get it off had to repaint that tile so when i am redoing the bathroom white again i am going to try and get some kind of top coat so accidental staining wont happen

re grouting - i was lazy and went over the grouted areas with a white grout pen rather than regrouting

I've got it in my kitchen and it's fine

Thanks for replies- realised I said 'thanks for usual replies' in my second post rather than USEFULreplies which is what I meant- I am not lounging about for tile ennui, I do appreciate what you are saying . I might paint the kitchen walls and then see what enthusiasm I have left. The cooker tiles get lots of grease and steam which may not end well, but on the other hand they set my teeth on edge. I also have purple skirting to deal with in the lounge. I may just stay in my room .

I would just go for it.

Have you considered an acrylic splash back? I've seen them on DIY programmes. They can be fitted over tiles, look amazing and surprisingly cheap. I've not had one myself. Just had a quick Google and found this one which will cut to your specifications.

www.theplasticpeople.co.uk/category/products-acrylic-splashbacks/products

Thanks- I'll look into the splash back option as well

I had the tiles between our cupboards replaced last year (hoping to replace kitchen and extend in next 3-5 years). Only cost us. £150 for tiles and labour. Cheap cream tiles Made an incredible difference and I'm so glad we did it. Kitchen is so much brighter.