How to Cover a Backsplash

If you have an old tile backsplash that's still solid and undamaged, but you don't like the look of it, you don't necessarily have to take it off and replace it. Instead, cover it with paint of your choice. You can paint virtually anything, even glazed tile, with the right preparation. The main issue with painting tile is getting the paint to stick, so dulling the tiles first is crucial. Oil-based materials will dry harder and stick better than latex. Coats of polyurethane will seal it all in.

• 1

  Sand the tiles of your backsplash with a vibrating sander and medium-grit aluminum oxide sandpaper. Go over it slowly, pressing the sandpaper firmly to the surface to dull the shine of the surface.

• 2

  Spread oil primer over the whole surface, including the grout, using a paintbrush. Let the primer set for 24 hours.

• 3

  Paint the tile with oil paint. Paint the whole backsplash a solid color, grout and all, or paint just the tiles and let the white primer separate them on the grout lines. If you're artistically inclined, you can paint a mural on the surface.

• 4

  Let the oil paint set for at least 24 hours.

• 5

  Apply oil-based polyurethane over the whole backsplash, grout lines and all, with a brush. Brush it on in a smooth, thin layer, avoiding bubbles and streaks.

• 6

  Let the polyurethane dry for 24 hours. Sand it by hand with fine sandpaper, buffing it just enough to dull the shine so the next layer will stick.

• 7

  Brush on a second layer of polyurethane in the same manner as the first. Let it set, hand-sand it and apply a third layer. Let the third layer dry clear.