You can paint wall tile, but Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams both say not to paint tile floors, and several products rule out showers or constant water. For a tub or tile wall there are two routes: a tub and tile coating (Rust-Oleum, Krylon), or a bonding primer and then paint (Benjamin Moore STIX, Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond, Zinsser).
Where makers say not to paint tile
| Place | Who says so | Their words |
|---|---|---|
| Tile floors | Benjamin Moore; Sherwin-Williams | “We do not recommend painting over floor tile” (BM); “Painting tile flooring is not recommended” (SW) |
| Floors (product limits) | Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Kit; SW Extreme Bond; Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3, Cover Stain, BONDZ, SmartPrime | Kit: “Apply the tile coating to walls and tubs only”; the primers’ data sheets say not for floors |
| Showers, sinks, tubs (primer) | SW Extreme Bond | “Do not use this product in areas subject to excessive water, e.g., in showers, around sinks, or on tubs.” |
| Constant water | BM STIX; Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Kit and Touch Up | “Not intended for immersion service or continuous water contact” (STIX); not for pools, hot tubs or saunas (Rust-Oleum) |
| Kitchen countertops | Benjamin Moore | Painted counter tiles “cannot withstand exposure to hot pots or pans” |
| Near heat | Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Kit and Touch Up | Not near stovetops; Touch Up: not over 200°F |
Benjamin Moore’s tile article also says to steer clear of walls with direct exposure to water, that “Frequent exposure to water will cause the paint to blister and peel,” and that “Painting tile is not necessarily a long-term solution.”
Route 1: a tub and tile coating
| Product | Where the maker says | Not for | Before water | Apply at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit | Tile walls and tubs; “Indoor use only” | Floors, galvanized steel, flexible plastic, stovetop heat, constant high humidity, continuous immersion | 3 days | 50 to 90°F, humidity below 85% |
| Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Aerosol | Tub and tile | Galvanized and other metal | “fully cured in 3 days” | 50 to 90°F, relative humidity below 80% |
| Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Touch Up | Tub and tile touch-ups | Over 200°F, constant high humidity, immersion, galvanized steel, flexible plastic | 24 hours | 50 to 90°F, humidity below 85% |
| Krylon Tub & Tile Ultra Repair Finish (aerosol and 2-part epoxy) | “tubs, sinks, tile, showers and more” | Not stated (its pages say “Do not use bleach to clean.”) | Not stated | 55 to 75°F, humidity below 60% |
From each product’s page and data sheet. The kit’s data sheet says to sand the entire surface with #400/#600 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Krylon’s pages link no data sheet.
Rust-Oleum’s kit data sheet says to “Properly ventilate the area by opening windows or using fans” and gives a flash point of 78°F. The aerosol’s data sheet says “Do not use near open flame,” with a flash point of −156°F.
Route 2: bonding primer, then paint
| Primer | Tile line | Prep the maker gives | Times | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Moore STIX (then Aura Bath & Spa, BM’s tile article) | “tile, glazed block” | Data sheet: ceramic tile “should be properly deglossed”; tile article: sand with 400 grit | Topcoat in 3 to 4 hours; about 3 to 4 days for its maximum scrape resistance | Immersion or continuous water; polyethylene, polypropylene |
| Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond (then Emerald Interior, SW’s how-to) | “Ceramic Wall Tile” | Data sheet: scuff sand or scrub with an abrasive cleaner; how-to: sanding is required | Recoat as a primer in 1 hour; topcoat within 14 days | Showers, sinks, tubs, floors |
| Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3; Cover Stain | “ceramic tile” | “without sanding or deglossing” (1-2-3); “without the need for sanding or de-glossing” (Cover Stain) | Full adhesion in 7 days | Floors, immersion |
| Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus | “laminates and ceramics” | “without sanding or de-glossing” | Full adhesion and hardness in 7 days | Floors, immersion |
| Zinsser BONDZ | “tile, glazed block and brick” | “Always test a small area for acceptable adhesion.” | Full adhesion and hardness in 7 days | Floors, decks, immersion |
| Zinsser SmartPrime | “glass and tile” | “Bonds to glossy surfaces without scuff sanding” | Full cure in 7 days | Floors, decks, roofs, immersion |
| KILZ Adhesion | “Glazed Tile” | “formulated to bond without sanding”, but test a small area for adhesion first | Touch in 30 minutes; recoat in 1 hour | Floors; horizontal surfaces with prolonged water contact |
| BEHR Bonding Primer No. 432 | “glass, tile, glazed brick” | “formulated to adhere without sanding”, but test a small area for adhesion first | Ready to topcoat in 1 hour; topcoat within 14 days | Floors; horizontal surfaces with prolonged water contact |
From each primer’s data sheet, and BEHR’s from its label; the paint named after each primer comes from that maker’s tile article. Extreme Bond’s data sheet also carries a ventilation line and a crystalline silica warning.
KILZ Adhesion’s data sheet says “WARNING IRRITANT HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED,” that it may cause eye, nose and throat irritation, and to use it only with adequate ventilation. BEHR’s Bonding Primer No. 432 label says “WARNING! IRRITANT! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED,” and to wear eye protection and protective clothing and use it only with adequate ventilation.
Sand or not? The makers differ
Benjamin Moore’s bonding-primer article pitches STIX for when you don’t have time to sand, strip or de-gloss, but the STIX data sheet says ceramic tile should be properly deglossed, and Benjamin Moore’s tile article says to sand with 400-grit paper. Sherwin-Williams’ tile how-to says sanding is required, because “a chemical deglosser will not do the trick on tile surfaces.” Zinsser’s data sheets for Bulls Eye 1-2-3 and Cover Stain say no sanding is needed. KILZ Adhesion’s data sheet and BEHR’s No. 432 label say those primers are made to bond without sanding, and each recommends testing a small area first. We’d sand: it is the step the stricter makers ask for.
If you paint a tile floor anyway
Sherwin-Williams’ how-to says that if you decide to paint tile flooring, follow its prep steps, skip the primer and apply its Porch & Floor enamel; that enamel’s data sheet gives 7 days before heavy traffic. Rust-Oleum’s kit page points tile floors to Rust-Oleum HOME Floor Coating. We found no product page or data sheet for it; Rust-Oleum’s blog says it “does not require primer” and “fully cures in seven days,” with 24 hours before walking and 72 hours before furniture.