How to Change the Color of Grout With Paint

Cover stained grout with a fresh coat of paint.

You can enhance your tiled surfaces and give a room a new look by painting your tile grout. A fresh coat of paint can cover up stains or discoloration or camouflage a poor grout choice made when the tile was originally installed. Several products exist that are specifically made to cover grout; you will find these products sold as grout stain, grout paint or grout colorant. The key to painting grout lies in careful preparation to ensure that the paint adheres properly, so take your time to ensure that your new paint job lasts for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Grout cleaner
• Scrub brush
• Water
• Mop
• Grout paint
• Small disposable container
• Small paintbrush
• Wet rag

Instructions

1. Scrub your grout thoroughly with grout cleaner and a scrub brush to remove all dirt and any old sealer from the grout. Any dirt, grease or sealer on the grout may prevent the paint from adhering properly.

2. Rinse the floor with clean water and a mop to remove all traces of the grout cleaner.

3. Allow the grout to dry completely before you begin painting. Tim Carter, on the Ask the Builder website, recommends waiting at least 48 hours to ensure the grout is dry.

4. Pour some of your grout paint into a small disposable container.

5. Dip a small paintbrush into the grout paint and apply the paint directly to the grout with long, smooth strokes. Work slowly to avoid smudging paint onto the tiles. Wipe away any mistakes from the surface of the tiles immediately with a wet rag.

6. Let the grout dry according to the package directions of the specific type of paint you used.

7. Repeat steps 4 through 6 to apply a second coat of paint to your grout.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove dry grout paint from the surface of your tiles with a new razor blade. Take care to scrape away the paint gently without scratching the tile.

• Instead of purchasing grout cleaner, you can make your own by mixing powdered oxygen bleach and water to create a thick paste. Scrub the paste into the grout to remove stains and prepare the surface for paint.

• Painting grout over a large area can mean spending hours on your hands and knees. Wear knee pads or kneel on a towel to help prevent knee pain.

References

• The Natural Handyman: Grout Colorant
• Ask the Builder: How to Paint Ceramic Tile