How To Paint Tiles

The tiles we used here come in 3 and 6 inch squares in white and soft pastel colors, however you can use whatever size tile you'd like. The tiles are available at your local craft or hobby shop already glazed and ready for decorating. Figures, flowers, fruits, fish, birds, landscapes, geometric designs, Pennsylvania Dutch designs, Native American designs - these are just a few of the may styles that can be painted on a tile.

The finished tiles have many decorating possibilities. They can be used on table tops, plant shelves, as backboards for counters and snack bars, around fireplaces, or as coasters for drinks or plants. The old-fashioned fireplace framed by tiles had a certain charm and beauty and these tiles are collectors' items today.

Homeowners with laminate kitchen countertops may find that a hot pan or a sharp knife can permanently damage those surfaces. One solution is to resurface these areas with ceramic tile that is impervious to heat and scratches, alternatively painted tiles can be used as hot plates.

A single tile makes a terrific seasonal gift at Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day or for any special occasion when decorated appropriately. For a nice presentation you can set one tile in a wide pine or maple frame for display on a wall.

To copy and enlarge a pattern that appeals to you, divide a square of paper into ruled lines one inch apart (or into 36 one inch squares for a 6 inch square tile). Tape carbon paper and pattern onto a clean, dry tile and outline the design with an old ball point pen.

There are several brands of paint on the market that are good for tile painting - just be sure to check the labels to find a good one that will be permanent. Although these paints are washable and permanent, I highly recommend giving your work a coat of glaze once it is thoroughly dry to guard against damage from detergents, cleaners, etc. You don't need to buy many colors at first since you can mix primary colors - red, blue and yellow - to create other colors. The design you choose will determine what size paintbrushes you need, but good soft camel's hair brushes are recommended.

If there is any doubt as to the permanence of your paint, the tiles can be baked in a standard kitchen oven for one hour at 250 degrees. Leave the oven door open two or three inches to prevent over-baking. Tiles should then be glazed and baked a second time.

When tiling a large area, make a pattern of the space to be covered to determine the number and layout of tiles needed. They can be attached to any surface except wallpaper or crumbling plaster, and with epoxy grouts and mortars, it is even possible to set them directly over laminated plastics.

If the tiles are to start at mid-wall, nail a narrow strip of wood to the wall directly below the bottom row. Allow tiles to set overnight after applying them to the wall before removing the strip to prevent the tiles from slipping into an uneven line.

To frame a square or rectangular mural, attach narrow wood molding or quarter round to the wall with small nails, mitering the corners. Fill small spaces between the tiles with patching plaster mixed with water to th econsistency of putty and remove excess with a damp cloth before dry.

Start tiling at the center of the lower line and work outward. It may be necessary to cut a tile to finish a row. This is done by scoring the glazed top of the tile with a glass cutter, using a metal edged ruler. Line up the scored line with the straing edge of a firm table and snap the tile sharply in two.

Have some fun with your designs! Use the tiles to spell out your family name or house number for an exterior sign. Let your kids each decorate a tile to create a mosaic design. The possibilities are endless!