How to Make MDF or Plywood Look Like Tile

Priming

• 1

  Clean the MDF or plywood with a dry dust cloth. The painting will look more realistic when done on a clean surface.

• 2

  Open the primer, and stir thoroughly. The primer is mixed well when no oil or streaks of color variation can be seen in it.

• 3

  Pour some primer into a paint tray. It is not necessary to pour the entire contents of the can into the tray. Start with a little, then add more when needed.

• 4

  Slip a roller cover onto a paint roller frame. Be sure to push the cover until it completely covers the frame, showing only its end cap.

• 5

  Push the roller through the primer, dragging it back and forth to coat the roller. Lift the roller up to see if primer drips or pours from it. If so, push the roller back and forth in the tray's dry area to remove some excess paint. The roller should be saturated but not dripping.

• 6

  Roll the primer onto the MDF or plywood, overlapping strokes to avoid obvious roller marks. Roll up and down at an angle for the best coverage. Continue overlapping until the entire area has been primed.

• 7

  Allow primer time to thoroughly dry.

Painting Grout

• 8

  Open the neutral-colored paint, and stir thoroughly. When the paint is no longer streaky, pour some into a new paint tray.

• 9

  Remove the primer roller cover from the frame, and replace it with a fresh cover.

• 10

  Push the roller through the paint, dragging it back and forth to coat the roller. Lift the roller up to see if paint drips or pours from the roller. If so, push the roller back and forth in the tray's dry area to remove some excess paint. The roller should be saturated but not dripping.

• 11

  Roll the paint onto the MDF or plywood, right on top of the dry primer. Overlap strokes to avoid obvious roller marks. Roll up and down at an angle for the best coverage. Continue overlapping until the entire area has been painted.

• 12

  Allow paint to dry thoroughly before proceeding. If the dried paint looks thin or splotchy, paint another coat, and allow it to dry. This neutral base will form your faux grout lines.

Taping

• 13

  Determine the tile pattern and tile size you want to create. Options include squares, diamonds, rectangles or a combination of those shapes. For the purpose of these instructions, we will use 8-inch squares as an example.

• 14

  Measure the width of the MDF or plywood to determine its center. Draw a small pencil line above the measuring instrument to mark the spot.

• 15

  Measure and mark 4 inches from each side of the center mark. Draw small pencil lines above the measuring instrument to mark both spots.These lines, 4 inches on each side of the center mark, will create the middle column of tiles.

• 16

  Tear a length of tape to extend from the top to the bottom of the board along both lines you just marked on each side of the center. If the height of the board is very tall, you might find it easier to work with several smaller pieces of tape to mark off the area. Firmly press the tape against the board.

• 17

  Continue creating parallel lines of tape across the height of the entire board, marking and taping at 8-inch intervals.

• 18

  Mark and tape the width of the board, too. Start in the center and mark 4 inches above and below the center mark to create the center tile. Continue marking and taping to form a grid on your board. and work your way to the top and bottom.

Painting Tile

• 19

  Smooth down all pieces of tape. They all need to be firmly in place before painting the next layer.

• 20

  Open the tile paint, and stir thoroughly. When the paint is no longer streaky, pour some into a new paint tray.

• 21

  Remove the old roller cover from the frame, and replace it with a fresh cover.

• 22

  Push the roller through the paint, dragging it back and forth to coat the roller. Lift the roller up to see if paint drips or pours from the roller. If so, push the roller back and forth in the tray's dry area to remove some excess paint. The roller should be saturated, but not dripping.

• 23

  Roll the paint onto the MDF or plywood, right on top of the neutral paint. Overlap strokes to avoid obvious roller marks. Roll up and down at an angle for the best coverage. Continue overlapping until the entire area has been painted.

• 24

  Allow paint to dry thoroughly before proceeding. If the dried paint looks thin or splotchy, paint another coat, and allow it to dry.

• 25

  Remove tape when the final coat of paint is completely dry. The result should look like shiny faux tile with a neutral grout line.