Paint wall tile

For an inexpensive and attractive makeover of ugly plastic and ceramic tile, paint them. We thought the only way to deal with the eyesore was to remove them, which is a strategy that makes sense if you’re remodeling but not for a quick facelift. Painting the tile is the way to go. The paint won’t last forever, especially in a tub or shower enclosure, but it will give a fresh new look to a room and provide you with more options than just working around the color of the tile.

Preparing the tile for paint is the key to a successful makeover, and that involves first cleaning and priming them with an adhesion-promoting primer. We use a 50/50 solution of household ammonia and water to clean the tiles and then let them dry. We like B-I-N, a shellac-based primer sealer that creates an anchor for the finish topcoat. Let the primer dry for a few days and then apply two coats of alkyd-based (oil) paint because it creates a durable and washable surface.

A painting contractor will charge $315, including labor and material, to prepare and paint 100 square feet of tile. You can do the job for $95, the cost of the material, and save 70 percent.

To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com on your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Pro Cost -- DIY Cost -- Pro time -- DIY Time -- DIY Savings -- Percent Saved

$315 -- $95 -- 7.0 -- 10.0 -- $220 -- 70 Percent

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