How To Paint Bathroom Tile? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start

Painting over tile is a different thing but it’s dramatic and affordable too because it helps homeowners achieve a different look to your bathroom by repainting.

But the main question here is “How to paint bathroom tile” without any mistakes.

So, let me help you with this one and take you with me to know the right way to paint on the bathroom tile because different types of tile have different ways to do it.

Look, I’ve been doing interior design for a long time now and tile painting was something I avoided for the long time. I thought it was one of the shortcuts that would be confusing.

But then I had a client with the HIDEOUS pink bathroom from the 80s….and she had maybe $300 to work with.

That’s when I learned what bonding primers could do.

The first time I painted bathroom tile was in my own guest bath. Avocado green ceramic tiles that made me want to cry every time someone visited. I got confused with the prep on my first attempt and the paint peeled off in sheets.

So, let’s go and see the right way to know how to paint bathroom tile.

Also Read:

• How To Paint Laminate Countertops
• Can You Paint Wallpaper
• Best Paint For Metal Doors

How To Paint Bathroom Tile?

Painting tile isn’t just putting some paint on there and thinking it will work.

Surface preparation is where most people screw this. I’m talking about the difference between a finish that lasts 3-5 years and one that comes off in soon.

The process breaks down like this:

First, you need to CLEAN like you’ve never cleaned before. I’m talking about heavy-duty degreaser action. All the soap scum, body oils, hairspray residue, old cleaning product buildup…. it all has to go.

I use a TSP substitute because TSP is kind of intense and the fumes make me dizzy. Mix it strong, scrub everything twice, rinse completely.

Then comes the part nobody wants to do but EVERYONE needs to do which is sanding.

Your tile has the glossy finish that paint hates. It’s like trying to stick a post-it note to glass that it may work but it’s not staying there, then 400-grit sandpaper is the best to go with.

I learned this in the green bathroom, I skipped the sanding because I was lazy and impatient and it was a mistake.

After sanding, vacuum everything. Then wipe it down with a damp cloth. Then let it dry completely. Dust is sneaky and will hide in grout lines and mess up your finish.

Next up is primer, regular primer won’t work. The wall primer won’t work. You need a high-adhesion bonding primer specifically made for slick surfaces. I go with INSL-X STIX Waterborne Bonding Primer because it bonds to glossy ceramic.

Apply thin coats with a foam roller and go with TWO coats minimum.

Then comes the paint, most people think this is the important part but if your prep and primer are solid, the paint is almost the easy part.

I prefer epoxy paint for anything in a bathroom because moisture is the enemy here and epoxy just doesn’t care about water. Oil-based enamel works too but takes forever to cure and the fumes are brutal.

Two to three thin coats and wait the full dry time between each one. 

The cure time is important and this is where I see most DIYers fail. But because the paint is dry to the touch doesn’t mean it’s cured. You need to wait AT LEAST 7 days before exposing it to water regularly.

What Are The Materials And Tools Required To Paint Bathroom Tile?

Here are the tools and materials or supplies which you’ll need to paint bathroom tiles:

Cleaning & Prep:

• Heavy-duty degreaser or TSP substitute
• 400-grit sandpaper (get more than you think you need)
• Sanding block or orbital sander for floors
• Shop vacuum
• Clean rags
• Scrub brush

Repair Materials:

• Grout repair compound
• Caulk (100% silicone for wet areas)
• Putty knife
• Caulk removal tool

Priming & Painting:

• Bonding primer (INSL-X STIX or similar)
• Epoxy paint or oil-based enamel
• Foam rollers (multiple – they’re disposable basically)
• Small angled brush for edges and grout lines
• Paint tray
• Painter’s tape
• Stir sticks

Optional but Helpful:

• Clear sealer (though some yellow over time)
• HVLP sprayer if you’re doing a large area
• Respirator mask for ventilation
• Drop cloths
• Knee pads if you’re doing floors

I keep most of these things because I do tile painting projects regularly. 

Types of Bathroom Tile and How We Can Paint Them

Not all tile is created equal and some types are easier to paint than others. I’ve worked with every tile type and each one has its quirks. Some are forgiving whereas some are not.

So, let’s go and see what each type of bathroom tile have in it.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is dense and so glossy which means it doesn’t want paint to stick to it. But it CAN be done.

Here’s my process:

Step 1: Clean with degreaser, let dry completely.

Step 2: Sand thoroughly with 400-grit. Your arm will get tired. Keep going.

Step 3: Vacuum and wipe down. Check for any residue.

Step 4: Apply bonding primer. I do two coats, waiting 4 hours between.

Step 5: Light sanding between primer coats with fine grit paper.

Step 6: Apply epoxy paint in thin, even coats. Three coats minimum for porcelain.

Step 7: Wait the full cure time. For porcelain I actually wait 10 days because it’s so non-porous.

I did a porcelain floor once and it held up well in a low-traffic powder room.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is the BEST candidate for painting.

It’s what I recommend people start with if they’re trying this for the first time. The glazed surface is slick but it’s more porous than porcelain so primers bond better.

Step 1: Deep clean, don’t skip corners or grout lines.

Step 2: Sand the glossy finish off. You’ll see it go from shiny to dull.

Step 3: Repair any chips or cracks now. Let repair compound cure.

Step 4: Prime with bonding primer, two coats.

Step 5: Paint with epoxy or oil-based enamel. Two to three coats.

Step 6: Optional clear sealer on top.

Step 7: Cure for 7-10 days minimum.

Most of my successful tile painting projects have been on ceramic. It’s more forgiving.

Natural Stone Tile

Natural stone tile is different because it’s porous.

You need a masonry primer instead of regular bonding primer. And you’ll usually use acrylic latex paint instead of epoxy.

Step 1: Clean thoroughly but carefully because some stones are sensitive to harsh chemicals.

Step 2: Very light sanding – don’t damage the stone surface.

Step 3: Apply masonry primer designed for stone.

Step 4: Use acrylic latex paint made for masonry.

Step 5: Seal with stone sealer.

But if I talk about myself, I don’t love painting natural stone. It looks better in its natural state and painting it feels wrong. 

Shower Tile

Shower tile is the high-stakes version of tile painting.

This is where moisture resistance matters because you’re exposing painted surfaces to water constantly.

Step 1: Clean with mildew killer first, then degreaser.

Step 2: Make sure there’s NO MOLD OR MILDEW hiding anywhere.

Step 3: Sand carefully because showers have a lot of angles.

Step 4: Use the absolute best bonding primer you can find.

Step 5: Epoxy paint ONLY. Don’t even think about latex in a shower.

Step 6: Three coats minimum.

Step 7: Cure for a full two weeks if possible.

Step 8: Keep the shower super dry during curing like run fans, leave doors open.

I’ve painted shower walls that are holding up three years later. But shower FLOORS have a different story and I don’t recommend it.

The constant standing water and foot traffic is too much for painted tile to handle long-term.

Floor Tile

Bathroom floor tile can be painted but expectations need to be realistic.

Floors take abuse like foot traffic, dropped items, water exposure, cleaning and a lot.

Step 1: Clean and degrease thoroughly.

Step 2: Sand with an orbital sander because hand sanding a floor is misery.

Step 3: Vacuum multiple times. Floor dust gets everywhere.

Step 4: Prime with bonding primer.

Step 5: Use porch and floor paint OR epoxy designed for floors.

Step 6: Three to four thin coats.

Step 7: Optional polyurethane topcoat for extra protection.

Step 8: Cure for a minimum 10 days, longer if possible.

I painted my laundry room floor tile and it lasted about two years before I started seeing wear patterns in the traffic areas. For a powder room that barely gets used.

Wall Tile

Wall tile is the easiest and most successful tile painting project you can do.

Walls don’t get the same abuse as floors, less water exposure than showers.

Step 1: Clean and sand as usual.

Step 2: Prime with bonding primer.

Step 3: Paint with epoxy, oil-based enamel, or even quality latex paint in lower-moisture areas.

Step 4: Two to three coats.

Step 5: Cure for 7 days.

The wall tile in my guest bath has been perfect for five years.

What is the best paint for the tile in the bathroom?

This is where people get overwhelmed because there are many options. Let me break it down based on what I use and recommend.

Epoxy paint is my number one choice for high-moisture areas. It creates a hard, waterproof shell that holds up to constant water exposure better than anything else. The downside is it’s hard to apply, smells terrible, and costs more.

But it LASTS.

I’ve used oil-based enamel paint many times and it works well too. You can get it custom-tinted to any color which is nice. The finish is hard and water-repelling. It takes forever to cure though and you need good ventilation.

Latex paint can work for bathroom tile but ONLY in areas that don’t get wet. Like a decorative tile border or wall tile away from the shower. I’ve used Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa for these situations because it’s formulated for bathrooms and has mildew resistance built in.

How To Paint Bathroom Tile On Different Surfaces

Where you’re painting matters as much as what you’re painting.

On Floor

I covered this already but floor tile painting is TOUGH.

Use porch and floor paint or epoxy specifically rated for floors. Regular wall paint will wear off in weeks.

The issue I see is people not letting it cure long enough. You need to stay off that floor for at least 10 days. Put up barriers, keep kids and pets out, but don’t walk on it.

Even then the painted floor tile is a medium-term solution, not permanent. Expect to do touch-ups or repaint every few years depending on traffic.

On Walls

This is the success story of tile painting.

Backsplash tile especially, it’s vertical, gets minimal water exposure, no physical traffic.

I’ve painted kitchen and bathroom backsplashes that look perfect years later. The key is good prep and letting it cure before scrubbing it.

In Shower

I already talked about this but it bears repeating that shower walls can work if you use the right products and prep properly.

Shower floors are a bad idea, so don’t do it.

The failure rate is too high and when it fails, you’re dealing with peeling paint in a wet shower which is miserable to fix.

On Tub

Tub surrounds can be painted using the same process as shower tile.

The tub itself is a different thing entirely and requires tub refinishing products, not tile paint.

I had a client ask me to paint her tub with regular epoxy paint and I refused. It is a specialized job that needs specialized products.

On Backsplash

Backsplash tile is IDEAL for painting.

I’ve done many kitchen backsplash transformations with paint. The tile is ceramic, it’s vertical, it gets wiped down occasionally but not scrubbed aggressively.

Prep the same way, use bonding primer, then you can use a quality latex paint here instead of epoxy. I prefer epoxy for the durability but latex works.

On Countertops

Tile countertops are tricky because they get HEAVY use like cutting, hot pans, spills, constant wiping, so it’s a lot to ask of paint.

I’ve done it but I always warn clients that it’s temporary like 1-2 years before it starts showing wear. Use epoxy paint and a clear protective topcoat. 

How to paint bathroom tile without sanding?

Can you paint tile without sanding? Technically yes.

Should you? Probably not.

There are “no-sand” primers out there that claim to bond to glossy surfaces without any surface prep. I’ve tried a few and had mixed results.

The adhesion isn’t as good as when you sand and if you cannot sand, here’s what I’d do:

Use a liquid deglosser product. It chemically etches the surface instead of mechanically roughing it up. Follow the directions exactly.

Then use the absolute best bonding primer you can find and go with the multiple coats.

Keep your expectations realistic because it may not last as long.

I tried this method on a small section of tile in my own bathroom just to test it. I used deglosser and STIX primer. It’s been about 18 months and it’s still okay. There’s some slight peeling starting at one edge.

Pros and Cons of Painting Bathroom Tile

Let me be honest about this because there’s a lot of information out there.

Advantages:

• CHEAP compared to tile replacement – we’re talking $200-400 versus $3,000-8,000
• Fast transformation – can be done in a weekend
• No demolition mess or construction debris
• Can completely change the look and style of your bathroom
• Updates outdated colors instantly
• DIY-friendly for people with basic skills
• Keeps existing tile layout and pattern

Disadvantages:

• Not permanent – will need maintenance and eventual repainting
• Paint peeling and paint chipping are real possibilities especially in high-moisture or high-traffic areas
• Requires significant prep work (cleaning, sanding, repairs)
• Long cure time before the bathroom is fully usable
• Limits your color options compared to new tile
• Can’t fix underlying tile problems (cracks, loose tiles, water damage)
• Resale value impact – some buyers won’t like painted tile
• Durability is nowhere near actual tile
• Changes the grout line appearance which some people don’t like

The honest truth is that painted tile is a budget-friendly cosmetic update. It’s not a replacement for tile replacement.

If your tile is damaged, has water issues behind it, or is in a high-use area then just replace it.

Conclusion

So here’s what I tell those who ask about how to paint bathroom tile….

It WORKS when done right, prep is everything. The products you choose matter. Your expectations need to be realistic. I’ve seen painted tile for the last 5+ years looking great. I’ve also seen it fail in 6 months.

The difference is always the same, surface preparation, quality bonding primer, appropriate paint selection, and proper cure time.

Don’t skip steps. Don’t cheap out on primer. Don’t use your shower too early. And start small, paint a backsplash or small wall before you commit to the whole bathroom.

The green bathroom I painted in my house is STILL holding up. I’m shocked by how well it’s lasted but I learned from my mistakes, used the right products, and did the prep work properly.

FAQs on How To Paint Bathroom Tile