Translucent Coating to Change Color on Ceramic Tile

Color Change

• When changing the hue of ceramic, it's best to use a tinted glaze or one that contains a shimmer, a pearled effect or glitter. All of those glazes change the color of ceramic slightly while remaining translucent enough for the base color to show through. A translucent glaze should not be used when the intention is to change the color entirely.

Heat

• Many glazes for ceramic, especially those used for crafting purposes, must be heated in an oven in order to cure properly. Some commercially available glazes do not require heating to cure. Factor in the ceramic tile you want to glaze, and choose a glaze that does not require heat if the tile will not fit into your home oven.

Care

• Even after glazing, ceramic tiles retain some porosity. Glazing is done to protect the ceramic surface and to make maintenance easier, but it is not intended to replace good cleaning practices. Glazed tile can be become heavily soiled and impossible to restore to its original condition. With proper care, however, most ceramic tile retains its beauty.

Long-Term Maintenance

• A notable drawback to applying a translucent glaze to ceramic tile is long-term maintenance. Especially true in the case of tile flooring, glazing treatments often require stripping and re-glazing periodically. High-traffic areas can become obvious over time as the coating wears away and that section of flooring contrasts with areas that are not used as often. Stripping ceramic tile can damage the tile, reducing its original appearance over time.