How to Create Hand Painted Tiles
Handpainted tiles personalize any area of the home, but the artistic effort that goes into making these unique pieces comes with a hefty pricetag. The budget home decorator or thrifty minded do-it-yourselfer can paint their own tiles at a fraction of the cost. Almost any tile can be painted, but they should not be used in wet areas unless you can have the use of a kiln and cook on a protective pottery glaze. Every type of tile has different porosity and adherence properties, so it is best to have a spare tile or two to test the paint you will be using. Ceramic tiles are the most forgiving and take paint very well.
Things You'll Need
- Etching cream
- Gloves
- 2-inch disposable paint brush
- Oxygen bleach
- Water
- Scrub brush
- Acrylic enamel paint
- Roller
- Small artist's detail brushes
- Stencils
- Damp rag
- Cotton tipped swabs
- Cookie sheet
- Oven
- Clear urethane
Instructions
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1
Remove the surface coating with etching cream. Wear gloves when using the cream. Apply it with a paintbrush to dry tiles. Let it bubble, then rinse it off. This provides an adherent surface for the paint.
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2
Clean the tiles so they are free of grease and residue. Use 1 tsp. of oxygen bleach in 1 gallon of warm water. Scrub the tiles for 1 minute, then rinse them completely. Allow them to dry overnight.
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3
Use acrylic enamel paint in whatever colors you prefer. You can use a roller to coat the entire surface if painting a floor a new color. Use small artist paintbrushes to pictures or scenes. Lay a stencil over the tile and follow the lines if you are artistically challenged.
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4
Keep a damp rag nearby to wipe off any mistakes. Use cotton-tipped swabs for very fine detail clean-ups. Let the tiles dry for 24 hours when they look the way you want.
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5
Place the tiles on a cookie sheet in an unheated oven. Set the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the tiles for 45 minutes, then turn the oven off. Let them cool naturally.
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6
Use a clear urethane over the top of the tile as an alternative to cooking on the paint. You can also use it in addition to the cooking process to add a little gloss. Paint it on evenly and let the tiles dry for 6 hours before installation.
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References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
