How to Paint Bathroom Plastic Shower Tiles

Clean old bathroom shower tiles with trisodium phosphate and a rag. If you're painting brand new tiles, you don't need to clean them. An older surface could be covered in thin layers of oily residue or dirt.

Protect trim and walls with painter's tape.

Brush bonding primer onto the tiles using a heavy-nap roller. Bonding primer is specially formulated to adhere to slick surfaces like glass, ceramic and plastic. A heavy-nap roller usually applies enough primer to cover both the tile and any recessed grouting. If you notice exposed grout, however, touch-up the primer with a synthetic-bristled brush. Wait 24 hours for the primer to cure.

Paint the plastic shower tile surface using high-gloss, oil-based paint. Oil-based paints last longer in moist environments, like bathrooms. If you want to paint the grout a different color than the tile, use a foam roller for the tiling and a foam brush for the grout. If you are painting the plastic tiles and grouting the same color, use a heavy-nap roller.

Apply a second coat after two hours if the first coat doesn't provide full coverage.

Remove the painter's tape once the final coat has dried for 24 hours.