Help!!!! I Need Some Serious Help!!

helenfromtheblock

Hi guys, i have made a serious bodge up. Me and my partner have recently moved into our house and i didnt like the colour of the tiles in my kitchen, they were white but they did a pattern with some terracotta tiles and i wanted the terrocotta tiles black so i decided to use black tile paint and a white grout pen.....theres where it went wrong, i used maskin tape and painted the tiles but the black still went on the grout and the white grout pen wont work, the grout looks grey...we have no way of replacing the tiles cos we dont have enough money, can someone suggest anything PLEASE xx

George Z

If the adhession to the tiles is good, scuff the finish with
180 sandpaper, dust off and paint with super adherent primer
ICI's Gripper works good.
Then paint with your choise of semigloss or higher enamel (top line)
To get a grout line painted use an artist's brush an relax, it doesn't have to look perfect.
Don't use a very contrasting colour to paint the grout line
and it will look better.
It will look like painted tiles but why shouldn't it?
Good luck

helenfromtheblock

just like to remind u that im a woman and what u wrote did not make any sense to me at all...x

helenfromtheblock

would it look better if i just painted it all white?

kbdesigns

I am curious what steps you took to prep. the tiles before you started. Like George said, you must be sure of proper adhesion before you do anything. The tiles must be cleaned thoroughly, sanded and then primed with a high quality primer. If you didn't do all these steps or used an inferior product, it doesn't matter what the grout lines look like because the finish will not last.

helenfromtheblock

its not the tiles that are the problem its the grout, the grout pen isnt working because the black is turning the grout grey, ive gone over grout with a white grout pen again and again and its still grey.

kbdesigns

Like George suggested, sand the grout lines, prime and then repaint, either with the pen or a %100 acrylic paint.

George Z

Sorry, I didn't make sense. I wasn't talking to a woman
just the person asking the question.
If the black stays, the white grout line will show imperfect even
if done perfectly with an artists brush (too much contrast)
I have seen them painted white, it looks like painted tiles.
Old downtown type homes have that.
A lighter colour on the tiles with white grout may still give you
the grout look without the contrast problems.
But it is a matter of preference.
I really hope this makes sense now.

helenfromtheblock

lol thank you, would it be better then if i just painted them white?

George Z

White has always been safe, if the surroundings will allow it.
Follow all the adhession advice (sanding, dusting, good primer)

helenfromtheblock

what do u mean if the surroundings will allow it?

George Z

By that I mean if white looks good with the cabinets, walls, appliances, etc.

helenfromtheblock

o yeah the rest of the tiles are white anyway but if i painted white over the black will it be ok or will i have to take the black paint off. and also can u buy a grout sander at all?

George Z

If the black adhered well to the tile already you don't have to remove it. Just hand sand with fine sandpaper and dust everything to make sure your primer will stick to the black surface (painted grout too).
Use a good quality primer, and you will need at least two finish
coats of top quality acrylic semigloss or gloss.

helenfromtheblock

ok thanks hun, i will try that out n let you know, wont be done for a week or so tho thank you all for helping