How to Paint on Top of Finished Ceramic

It is common to want to change the color of your ceramic pieces from time to time. It could be the ceramic tile in your bathroom or the ceramic figurine on your coffee table. No matter what it is, when dealing with finished ceramic, the most important thing to do is properly clean the surface before painting over it. If mold or mildew is present on finished ceramic, it will eat through the paint and ruin the work that you have done.

Instructions

1

Clean your ceramic with soapy water and a scrub brush. Make sure to scrub every inch of the ceramic with your scrub brush.

2

Rinse off the soapy water and dry your ceramic with a towel. Do not start painting until the ceramic is completely dried off.

3

If your ceramic surface has grout lines that you don't want painted, cover the lines with painter's tape. This will ensure that the paint won't get into the grout, which could make the process a lot longer than necessary.

4

Dip your paintbrush into oil-based primer, and paint the tile in even strokes that all go in the same direction. Oil-based primer is superior to water-based primer because it is more durable.

5

Allow the primer to dry after applying it to the ceramic. Check the label on your primer to find out how long it will take to fully dry.

6

Dip your paintbrush into the paint and start painting over your finished ceramic in even, vertical brushstrokes. Continue until you have finished painting the ceramic.

7

Let the ceramic dry overnight.

8

Dip your clean paintbrush into a clear, water-based urethane and paint over your ceramic. This will give it a nice glossy finish. Wait a day or two for it to dry.