Q:
My kitchen countertop is ceramic tile, and I’m contemplating a color change. Is it possible to paint ceramic tile?
Krista Anderson, Portland, OR
A:
Pat Wehrman of Dodge Lane Potters Group in Sonora, California, replies: I know of two different paint products that can be used to paint ceramic tile. However, I don’t recommend either one for anything beyond purely decorative applications, and especially not for countertop tile.
The first product is Liquitex Glossies (Colart America; 888-422-7954), acrylic enamel colors that claim to air-dry to a durable high-gloss finish. But anything painted with these products must be heat-treated (baked at 325°F for 45 minutes) to be scratch resistant and dishwasher safe, which might be a tough thing to do with your countertop. On top of that, these paints are not for use in food-contact applications, which again would rule out use on your countertops.
The second product is Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Tile and Glass Paint (Delta Technical Coatings; 800-423-4135). This product is a system that begins with a special precoat. The color is then applied, and when that’s dry (about one hour), a clear top coat is applied. The drawback to this product is that it must dry for ten days before it can be washed, which might be okay if you’re really careful or if you use the system before leaving on vacation for ten days. Although certified nontoxic, this product is not recommended for food-contact applications.
Although I make a living creating and painting ceramic murals, my recommendation is to replace the tile. Although labor intensive, new tile is the best way to change tile color in a countertop situation.
