How to Select Paint for a Ceramic Project

Ceramic is a relatively difficult material to paint on. The shiny, glossy surface of ceramic lends to premature chipping and peeling. To prevent deterioration of this sort you need to select the right paint for your ceramic project.

Instructions

1. Understand the project parameters. Your first consideration is what you're painting. If you're doing decorative pottery work, then the paint selection is not particularly important while other factors, such as price and appearance, are. On the other hand, if your project involves functional surfaces such as tiles or bathroom walls then you need to select your paint carefully.

2. Use a ceramics specific crafts paint. If you're doing decorative jobs such as painting ceramic (or even porcelain) pots or other similar objects, a water based, ceramic specific paint such as Marabu Ceramics paint will do the job. Most similar water based paints will last a long time if your object is kept in good conditions. Additionally, paints like Marabu are dishwasher safe so coffee mugs and bowls can be painted without worry.

3. Consider the effects of color and glaze. In most cases, the color of the paint you select will not appear the same on the ceramic project piece as it does in the bottle or can. This is especially true if you are painting over a glazed surface. To select the paint, take a piece of the same ceramic material you are painting so you can sample the actual appearance of the color. With glazed ceramics, keep in mind that colors will darken and deepen if you refire the piece after painting it.

4. Use more serious paints for tile or functional projects. The last thing you want is sticky, wet paint peeling off your tile floors or bathroom wall. Paints such as Super White Rust Paint or even car paint are more likely to withstand the ceramic surface. Alternately, you can select a fairly standard oil-based paint if you treat the ceramic surface with a hard scrubbing, sanding and a few coats of primer before you paint it.

Tips & Warnings

• Carefully choose the color you will want and like for many years.

• Choose colors to match the items that will be around the thing you are painting.

• Do not inhale ceramic paint. It may have harmful fumes or odors and can cause medical problems. Do not eat or ingest ceramic paint. Wash hands well after using it.