I am buying a '40's house with HORRIBLE tile on the bathroom walls, how to paint over them?

Question

I LOVE THIS HOUSE. It has a swimming pool, and everything, but the only bathroom is small, and the walls are covered in BLUE tile!! Not one of my colors, nor a color I like. It looks like they have recently put down linoleum on the floor, so I can replace that. What I'm concerned about is the tile. Should I try to remove it, or paint over it? And if I do paint over it, will it stay? Keep in mind that the tiles are not only on the walls, but the entire bathtub walls are covered in them. I cannot live with this, and want to change it. I've never done any DIY, other than painting, but between this bathroom, and pulling up the carpet to refinish the hardwood, I'm going to have to learn!! Thanks in advance for your help.

No, the tile is not plastic, it's ceramic.

Answer 1

You're getting some goofy advice. The easy (and really not that expensive) solution is to call a tub refinisher in your area and have them refinish your tile. They can paint it any color you want with an industrial enamel paint that has excellent staying power. It might cost a few hundred dollars, but compare that to the costs of tearing out the old, discovering who knows what in the walls, and then having to refinish the walls. I don't know any contractor who can do that for under $1000.

As for refinishing the hardwoods, it's not so hard. You can rent the sander from Lowes or Home Depot, as well as many Ace Hardware stores. It takes a good day to do a good job (especially make sure every last one of those carpet staples is gone before you start). Instead of the expensive floor finishes look for gymnasium finisher. It's also sold at the box stores, just in a different area because it's a commercial finish. It's about $20/gallon and is made for the heavy wear and tear of a school gymnasium. You'll have fun with the project...just make sure the windows can stay open all night before you start.

Answer 2

You say it's for the 40's is the tile plastic?, if so get a wide 3-4'' metal scraper and pop all the tile off the first one may need a little elbow grease but once you get the first one the rest goes easily. The glue will still be on the wall so invest in a good heat gun and heat and scrape all the glue off the walls. These walls should be plaster so you shouldn't have a problem. What ever is left on the walls can be lightly sanded til smooth, wash walls, prime and paint. It will take some time but the end result is worth it. I did this in a 50's kitchen and bathroom, the tile in the tub was even on the ceiling. Good luck! If the tile is ceramic its a whole other story and project. Painting than would be advisable because you would ruin most of the walls removing ceramic tiles.

Answer 3

I painted ceramic tile in a bathtub surround using an expensive primer...don't remember the name but it was the consistency of water and had a very strong smell. I had the windows open throughout the process. After it dried, about 24 hours as recommended by the P and G Paint Company in BR, La. I painted the tiles and they have remained painted and look just like the day I painted which was in July 2011. This house was built in 1970,

Answer 4

The best (and most costly) way to get what you want is to hire a pro and remodel the entire bathroom the way you want it.
You CAN effectively paint it for a DIY (and much cheaper) project: Get the tile as clean as possible and use an oil based primer coat; the best in my experience is Kilz, found in any home or hardware store, then paint it the color you want with an enamel paint; it needs to be enamel (oil based), at least around the tub/shower, because latex will eventually fade and wash off or peel due to the wetness. My best and good luck.
Hey bad rabbit1, she can't use DRYwall around a tub; a product called greenboard is used in wet areas, and that is finished with tile or decorative plastic/composite sheets, and Les The Painter should know more about his materials. Porous, not porus bro.

Answer 5

hi Melena i'm in the same boat as you and after asking tradespeople and doing internet research i;m going to strip all the old tiles and redo with new ones, There are products available which allow you to repaint tiles but general opinion seems to be that the paint will scratch off over time and isn't really suitable for very wet areas, It's gonna be hard work removing all the old tiles but at the end of the day i will have the bathroom of my wife's dreams and it will last for many years to come so i won't have this nightmare to deal with again
hope this helps
Paul

Answer 6

you could do 2 things either tear off that old tile and replace it with new tile, it will give you a broader selection of colors styles etc. but since you said this is an old house i think that tile may not have a gypsum board or something like that underneat it probably have lath and plaster so if you tear you would have to redo the wallboards OR you could use a method called ceramic resurface they spray a ceramic mixture instead of paint over your tiles i think the color selection is limited but its cheaper compared to buying new tiles,backerboards,nails,grout,mud, etc.
hope this helps

Answer 7

I wouldn't suggest painting the tile, humidity and water from the shower would most likely lift the paint. The best thing to do in my opinion would be to replace the tiles.

Answer 8

Paint won't work. Best thing to do is hire a professional to remove the existing tile and install a tile of your choice. It's not cheap but might be worth it to you in the long run.

Answer 9

Tear it out and replace with natural stone. Or, you can contact someone who does the overlay...I did it in my bathroom when my tub was bright yellow...they come out and redo your tub in white or any color...professionally and it lasts! Check out http://www.integritycoatings.com for an example. I've been in my house for 15 years and they also did my antique oven....I imagine they might do the tile, too.

Answer 10

just rip it out drywall is cheap n easy 2 install u cann do it probably 4 under 100.00