The best tile paint is specially formulated for use on ceramic surfaces. It provides not only a healthy new glow but will give an extra layer of protection against water and mould. There are a number of finishes that you can choose for tile paint - satin and gloss paint finishes being particularly popular for kitchen and bathroom use.
Best tile paint at a glance:
• Best overall: Johnstone's Tile Paint, 750ml - View on Amazon UK
• Best for coverage: Dulux Tile Paint, 600ml - View on Amazon UK
• Best universal paint: Rust-Oleum Universal Paint, 750ml - View on Rust-Oleum Colours
While many tile paints will often require a primer to allow the paint to bond well with the ceramic, these premium paints require no priming at all, saving you both time and money. All of the tile paints listed are water and scratch-resistant, meaning those tiles will glimmer for the foreseeable future!
All of these paints have been chosen specifically for tile coverage, but a selected few are also universal paints and can be used on a variety of surfaces.
Best overall
Johnstone's/AmazonAn Amazon best seller, with over 1,400 reviews. Johnstone's Tile Paint is an excellent paint that will leave your tiles looking shockingly good.
Johnstone’s tile paint not only has excellent colour and opacity, but it’s also incredibly tough, quick-drying and has very little odour, so there’s no need to aerate the entire house while DIYing.
Some customers have found that the paint chips easily but many others appreciate that it's ready for direct use on tiles - no primer required and it's touch dry in two hours, which will save you time and money in the long run.
Pros
- Touch dry in two hours
- Excellent colour and opacity
Cons
- Some customers have found it chips easily
| Colours: | Available in 70 colours |
| Available size(s): | 750ml per tin |
| Coverage: | 10.7 m²/L |
| Finish: | Specialty |
| Drying time: | 2 hours (touch dry) |
Best for coverage
Amazon/DuluxAn excellent choice for a great value tile paint, Dulux’s tile paint has an outstanding, vibrant colour that will look amazing. It's ready to apply directly to any tiled surface and is perfectly capable of enduring any shower or kitchen wall.
Dulux’s tile paint quite easily achieves the best coverage per litre of our top picks without sacrificing durability and aesthetics. Be sure to keep a window open while painting though as it may cause some drowsiness!
Customers believe this is a quality paint that is absurdly resistant to scratches, mould and mildew, but take care when painting as some found brush strokes were visible once it had dried. Overall, Dulux's tile paint is an excellent option for brightening up your home.
Pros
- Offers excellent coverage by litre
- Resistant to scratches, mould and mildew
Cons
- Some found brush strokes were visible once it had dried
| Colours: | Available in four colours |
| Available size(s): | 600ml |
| Coverage: | 18m²/L |
| Finish: | Satin |
| Drying time: | 2 hours (touch dry) |
Best universal paint
Rust-OleumWhile not specifically a tile paint, this is an excellent all-purpose solution to revitalise your home.
An incredible universal paint - Rust-Oleum’s paint can be immediately applied to tiles without any hassle. It’s also brilliant for use on wood, metal, plastic and even rust, making it a great economical choice for DIY around the home.
It also dries incredibly quickly, being touch-dry within two hours, so there’s very little chance of any accidental smudges.
The Rust-Oleum's durability, ease of application and excellent colouring, unfortunately, doesn't come cheap. Customers also think it does not offer the greatest coverage per litre either. However, it does offer one of the best options for water and scratch resistance, making it perfect for beginner DIYers.
Pros
- A great all-purpose paint as it can applied to wood, metal, plastic, rust as well as tiles
- Touch dry within two hours
Cons
- Doesn't offer the greatest coverage per litre
| Colours: | Available in 17 colours |
| Available sizes: | 250ml/ 750ml |
| Coverage: | 9.4m²/L |
| Finish: | Gloss |
| Drying time: | 2 hours (touch dry) |
Best durable tile paint
Ronseal/AmazonRonseal’s One Coat Tile Paint is the height of DIY convenience, offering a quick and effective remedy to your dreary bathroom tiles.
Ronseal’s tile paint is waterproof, mould-resistant and astonishingly durable against scratches - this is good for a busy household that quickly gathers wear and tear. It is also a great paint for amateur painters and decorators, as it leaves no brush marks upon application. It’s perfect for practically any area of your household, especially near sinks, showers and cookers.
You may want to aerate the house when applying this tile paint, as customers say the fumes are very strong, and this potency can cause drowsiness.
Pros
- Leaves no brush marks upon application
- Durable against scratches so a good choice for busy households
Cons
- Customers say fumes are very strong
| Colours: | Available in one colour |
| Available Size(s): | 750ml |
| Coverage: | 8m²/L |
| Finish: | Satin |
| Drying time: | 2 hours (touch dry) |
Best environmentally safe paint
The One/AmazonThe One’s matte multi-surface paint is not only excellent for all tiles but for a myriad of other surfaces as well such as brick, masonry, metal, UPVC, wood and many more. The One has a mesmerising matte finish and an array of bold colours that are exactly as advertised.
As with our other choices, there is no need to prime your tiles before painting, just grab a brush and get stuck in. Unlike some of our other choices, The One’s multi-surface paint is low odour and non-toxic, excellent for the environmentally conscious DIYer.
The One’s multi-surface paint has excellent coverage, according to reviewers, leaving plenty spare for other areas of your home. Some reviewers feel the tin size is small for the money though.
Pros
- Bold colours that are exactly as advertised
- Low odour and non-toxic
Cons
- Some reviewers feel the tin size is small for the money
| Colours: | Available in 12 colours |
| Available size(s): | 250ml |
| Coverage: | 12m²/L |
| Finish: | Matte |
| Drying time: | 2 hours (touch dry) |
V33/AmazonLooking for a paint that's easy to apply? Consider the V33 Renovation Wall Tile & Panelling Paint. There's no need for an undercoat so you can get to the painting straight away.
The paint is highly resistant to water splashes and household cleaning products which ensures the finish is durable and long lasting. As it's equipped with 'aquaresist' technology, the paint has a waterproof barrier which means it's more than capable of being used on kitchen splashback and shower cubicles.
Customers online praise the paint for its ease of application and durability but some reviewers struggled to get their desired finish with just two coats on large areas so felt they needed to apply a third, which is a bit time-consuming.
Pros
- Customers online found it easy to apply
- Paint is highly resistant to water splashes and household cleaning products
Cons
- Some reviewers felt they needed to apply three coats on larger areas
| Colours: | Six colours available |
| Available sizes: | 750ml, 2L |
| Coverage: | 10m²/L |
| Finish: | Satin |
| Drying time: | 6 hours |
We put questions about tile paint to V33 Paint's Head of Marketing, Richard Bradley:
FAQs
How do I apply tile paint?
Preparation of the surfaces is essential. Wash the surface with a soda-based or sugar soap (alkaline) cleaner, focusing on the grouting. For ceramic tiles, wall and border tiles or glass bricks – after washing, rinse thoroughly and then allow to dry. Carefully clean tiles with a ground cleaner and abrasive sponge or brush to remove any residual cleaning products or any traces of mould. Remove any silicone sealant before painting and then reseal after application of the paint.
Apply the paint at room temperature between 12 and 25 degrees centigrade and avoid draughts.
• Work on small surfaces such as corners or angles using a round-edged paint brush.
• Apply from one end of the tiles to the other using a 4-5mm short pile roller, then follow with successive brush strokes.
• Do not start a second coat while the first is drying. Leave to dry for 6 hours and apply a second coat in the same way. A third coat may be required depending on the surface and colour.
• Stencilling.
If you decide to use stencilling on your tiles, here is how to do that:
• Apply two coats of a base colour following the steps above.
• Simply cut out your desired pattern in paper and stick the paper onto the dried, painted surface using a temporary fix such as masking tape that won’t harm the surface.
• Using a 4-5mm short pile roller, paint over the paper stencil in a toning or contrasting shade.
• Using a round edged paint brush, touch up any areas that may require attention.
• Leave to dry for six hours.
Can tile paint be used on shower tiles?
"Not all tile paints can be used on shower tiles. Look out for one that is specifically formulated for this application. ‘Aquaresist’ technology is what to look for so that you can be confident that the paint selected creates a durable, waterproof barrier that resists condensation and repeated exposure to water. You also want a paint for this application that is ultra-washable."
Can I apply tile paint over old paint?
This is mostly dependent on the quality of the paint itself, as well as the colour of paint that you're painting over. If you'd like to paint over a particularly dark shade, we'd recommend using a paint stripper to clean your tiles thoroughly beforehand. However, if it's a lighter colour, then for a majority of the paints listed, you should be able to easily paint over the old colour. Richard says to check your chosen paint manufacturer's instructions to see if you're able to paint over it.
Can I use tile paint for any other materials?
"It’s a good move - especially in terms of money-saving opportunities and achieving a co-ordinated finished look - to seek out tile paint that can be used for other materials", says Richard. However, he also warns that it’s not a good idea to use tile paint on other materials without checking out carefully if the manufacturer recommends this. "It’s definitely best to use paint specifically formulated for the surfaces you are tackling in order to achieve the best results and longevity."
This article contains expert advice from Richard Bradley, Head of Marketing for V33 Paint in the UK. With a career spanning more than 15 years in the surface coatings industry, he has considerable expertise in the world of paints.
Ryan Houghton is a Commercial Content Writer for Bauer Media Group, specialising in technology - specifically gaming, PCs, and televisions. As an English Literature and Film graduate, with an unhealthy obsession with PC gaming.