Painting Tile Floor (Tutorial) – Paper and Stitch

Painting a tile floor is easier than you think. And very budget friendly.

I had painted floors before, but painting on a river stone floor like the one in my bathroom felt like a whole different animal. I used a different paint than last time to try something new. And the painting process was completely different this time.

In the end, the painted floor turned out better than expected. Especially after this hack, I noticed it while working on a project. Want to see before-and-after photos, budget breakdowns, and tutorials? Click here for all the details.

Before and after painting floor tiles

Before I start, here’s a side by side before and after painting of a floor tile like mine. Especially the price difference is big. This entire project cost less than $100 and allowed us to completely renovate the space until it was ready for a full renovation with new tiles etc.

Budget breakdown

I already had my paintbrushes, cloth, and crud kutter. So all I had to buy was a paint coating and a sealant (both included in the kit).So my total cost was nominal $70.

But even if you had to purchase all the items on the supplies/materials list, the cost would be less than $100. Here’s the breakdown…

1. Kurdish Kutta…$10
2. Rustoleum Floor Coating and Sealant (Kit)… $70
3. Paintbrush…$7
4. A rag/old T-shirt…Free

Total: $87

Now that you know the price, how do you feel about the change? And why not try this in your own home?

Materials needed for floor painting

• Kurdish Kutter – You can use any cleaner or degreaser, but I like this one because it’s all-in-one.
• Rustoleum Home Floor Coating Kit – I have linked the exact same one I used (color is also matte ultra white). This kit also has other colors and another finish (glossy).it’s all here Other floor coating optionswhite outside.
• Paint Brush – Any 2 inch (or larger) paint brush will work. The bigger the brush, the less time it takes to complete.
• A rag or old T-shirt – these will be destroyed as you wipe off the excess paint. So only use what you can afford to throw away after the project is complete.

Painting tile floors (and river stones)

1. Floor cleaning and degreasing.

First, I cleaned the floor thoroughly and then used a degreaser. I like Krud Kutter. — Cleans and degreases at the same time so the paint base is solid and ready for paint to adhere.

2. Paint the flooring with a brush.

Next is painting. I used the “2 step system” for this and highly recommend it. Basically you will need a base coat floor paint and a top coat. Eliminate guesswork such as which top coat to use. So I like that aspect. Makes things easier.

So, first I applied the base coat with a brush. I would mostly do an area a foot or two at a time before pausing brushing and switching to a rag. But towards the end, I did large areas, like 3-4 feet at a time, and that worked too. The longer you let the paint sit before dabbing it with a cloth, the less it will flake off.

3. Remove excess paint with a rag.

While the paint was still wet, I returned with a cloth and dabbed the surface to remove some of the paint. and delete the brush strokes. By doing this part with a rag, the color of the floor was deepened and some of the original rock color was able to show through. I think this part of the process was (at least for me) the key to making the floor feel more alive and less sterile.

4. Repeat.

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the entire floor is covered. Allow the floor to dry according to the instructions for the paint you are using.

5. Add top coat.

Once the floor is dry enough to add a top coat (follow package directions), use a roller or brush to apply the top coat over the base coat layer. If you’re using the same Rust-oleum Home floor coating as I am, it says to apply the base coat and then apply the top coat 6 hours later. A second coat is also recommended.

Follow the instructions on the can and wait until the floor is completely dry before walking on it.

Is the recommended paint specifically for tiles?

The paints I used are specifically recommended for different types of floor coverings. According to the packaging, Rustoleum floor coatings can be used on tile, concrete, vinyl, wood, linoleum, laminate, and more.

Is there a special grout paint required for painted floors?

No special grout paint required. You can also use Rustoleum floor coatings on tiles (river stone in this case) and grout. It goes well with both.

DIYs I want to try more

If you like my bathroom remodel and want to learn more, including full budget breakdowns and sources, head over here and check it out: Small Bathroom Ideas on a Budget.

And the other is DIY tile flooring with painted floor tiles.