How to Decorate Porcelain Tile

Clean the entire area. The paint will adhere to the tiles more effectively if they are clean. Remove dirt and grime using a spray tile cleaner and a cleaning rag. Use firm pressure and make sure that the tiles and the grout between them are all clean and dry.

Sand the tiles. Use the 250-grit sandpaper to lightly scratch the surfaces of the tiles you are going to paint. If you are not painting all the tiles, then only sand the ones you plan to decorate. If you are only stenciling, you will still need to prime the tiles ,so you can sand them in their entirety.

Remove the sanding dust and residue from the tiles. Use a dry cleaning rag or a broom to make sure that the tiles are clear of dust from sanding.

Use painters' tape to designate a pattern. If you do not plan to paint all the tiles, then you should use the painters' tape to protect the tiles that you are not going to paint. If you are painting all the tiles, then just use the painters' tape to protect the floors and ceilings adjacent to the tiles.

Prime the tiles. Apply a thin, even coat of oil-based primer using the paintbrush. Make sure that the surface is entirely covered with primer. Allow the primer to dry for several hours before you move on.

Sand the primer very lightly. Use the 250-grit sandpaper to very lightly scratch up the primer so that the paint will stick better. If you are stenciling, only scratch the center of the tile where the stencil will be.

Paint the tiles. Use two coats of oil-based paint. Use thin, even coats that will dry fairly quickly (usually in 45 to 90 minutes) rather than thick coats that may streak and run. Once the paint is dry, you can move on if you are going to stencil over them.

Apply any stencils. Use the stencils and the sponge to lightly apply a darker color of paint onto the tiles to create a stenciled design. Do not use too much paint on the stencil or it will run and smear. Once you are done stenciling, allow 48 hours for the paint to dry before you remove the painter's tape.

Seal the porcelain tiles. Use the spray sealant to protect your painted tiles. Spray on at least two coats, allowing at least 45 minutes for the sealant to dry in between applications.