If you require a quick answer, the best tile paint is the Ronseal One Coat, which is able to transform your tiles in a single coat and leave a durable, waterproof and mould resistant finish. However, if you want to match the colour of the tiles with other surfaces, the Rust-Oleum Universal paint is a great option to consider that’s available in 18 colours.
To rate the tile paints within this article, we based our recommendations upon our experience and testing of multiple formulas (as shown below), plenty of research and a number of factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the coverage, finish, durability, colours available, ease of application, time to dry and value.
Table of Contents
Tile Paint Comparison
| Tile Paint | Coverage Per Litre | Colours |
|---|---|---|
| Ronseal One Coat | 16 m2 | 4 |
| Rust-Oleum Universal | 9 m2 | 18 |
| Dulux Tile Paint | 16 m2 | 4 |
| Johnstone’s Revive | 12 m2 | 3 |
| Rustins Quick Dry | 14 m2 | 3 |
| The One Multi Surface | 12 m2 | 12 |
Tile paint is primarily designed for bathroom or kitchen tiles and it’s formulated to withstand damp conditions and contact with water on a regular basis. In terms of the application, it’s very much similar to other paints because most can be easily applied using a standard brush or roller. However, before you begin to paint any of the tiles, we advise that you remove any tiles that are defective because you may struggle to achieve the best possible finish. For example, tiles to remove would be those that are chipped or cannot be sanded down to a smooth finish.
Below is a list of the best tile paints that are designed for use in kitchens or bathrooms and are durable, mould resistant and waterproof.
The Best Tile Paint
1. Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint
Ronseal is a highly reputable brand in the UK and their tile paint is regarded as one of the best on the market. The brand states that it allows you to create a brand new tile effect without having to re-tile the whole room. It’s also very easy to use because it doesn’t require a primer and if applied correctly, there will be no brush marks left behind either.
In terms of it’s desirable properties, it’s durable, mould resistant and waterproof, which makes it perfect for tiled surfaces around the house. However, it’s important to note that it isn’t recommended for work surfaces or floor tiles.
Other features of the Ronseal One Coat include:
- 8 square metres of coverage per litre
- Applied using a brush
- 13 colour options
- 750 ml tin
- Medium to high level of protection
- Leaves a sheen, satin finish
To conclude, the Ronseal tile paint is an excellent all-round option that’s easy to use and takes just 2 hours to dry after one coat. In terms of the colour options available, the brand offer a great selection that includes 13 colours to best suit the décor of most kitchens or bathrooms.
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2. Rust-Oleum Universal Paint
Although the Rust-Oleum All Surface Paint can be used upon a range of surfaces, it works wonders when used as a tile paint. It’s a versatile and highly practical paint that comes in a variety of colours to best suit your painting requirements. It’s also a great paint to use if you want to match your freshly painted tiles against another surface in the room too.
It’s terms of its composition, it’s a paint and primer that can be used on surfaces indoors or outdoors. However, if you are painting a non-ferrous or galvanised surface, it’s advised that you use a primer.
Other features of Rust-Oleum Universal Paint include:
- Takes 2 hours to dry time
- 250 or 750 ml tin
- Choice of 18 different colours
- Also suitable for wood, metal and plastic surfaces
- Per litre it can cover up to 9 m2
- Applied using a brush
For the best results whilst using this universal paint, the brand advises that you check what surface you are painting beforehand because some surfaces may need a primer or 2 coats. However, for painting tiles within your bathroom or kitchen, it’s a high quality and easy to use tile paint that’s available in a great selection of 18 colours.
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3. Dulux Tile Paint Pure Brilliant White
Dulux are another highly rated brand in the UK and they are well-known for a wide variety of their paints. According to Dulux, their tile paint is 10 times tougher than standard paints and also more water resistant than other water based alternatives. It also features a self-undercoating composition, which means that it doesn’t require a primer.
Once applied correctly, it’ll leave a durable finish that’ll freshen up and get your tiles looking brand new. It’s also the perfect solution for bathroom or kitchen use because the brand promises that it won’t peel off in areas where there is a constant water flow.
Other features of Dulux Tile Paint include:
- Quick dry time of 4 hours
- It can cover up to 16 m2 per litre
- Water resistant
- Available in 4 colours
- Can be applied using a brush or a roller
To conclude, the Dulux Tile Paint is a high quality and durable option that’s designed specifically for use within a bathroom or kitchen. The only slight drawbacks are the premium price tag and the fact that it may require an additional coat of paint for the best finish.
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4. Johnstone’s Revive Tile Paint White
The Johnstone’s Revive is another tile paint specifically designed for kitchen and bathroom tiles. According to the brand, it aims to restore and improve the finish of your tiles with ease and it also doesn’t require a primer. The paint itself is a water based formula and once applied correctly, it leaves behind an attractive gloss finish.
Other features of Johnstone’s Revive include:
- Range of colours to choose from
- Doesn’t require a primer
- Touch to dry in 2 hours
- 3 colour options
- Low odour
- Can cover 12 square metres with 1 litre
To conclude, the Johnstone’s Revive is a practical tile paint that’s easy to apply and also relatively affordable when compared to the alternatives within this article. The quality of the paint also allows for a smooth glossy finish which can completely transform any tiles within your bathroom or kitchen.
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5. Rustins Quick Dry Step & Tile Black
The Rustins formula is an acrylic based gloss paint that can be applied to tiles, bricks, concrete and many other surfaces. According to the brand, the opacity of the paint allows for great coverage and this is due to the paint containing special pigments that gives it a high quality finish.
In terms of its application, it can be easily applied using a brush or roller and between coats, you can sand the paint lightly to give it a smoother finish. It can also be used inside or outside due to its hard wearing and durable qualities.
Other features of Rustins Quick Dry Step & Tile include:
- The product is weather resistant
- The paint can cover 14 m2 per litre
- Drying time is approximately 30 minutes
- Three colour options
- Hand or roller application
Overall, the Rustins Quick Dry provides excellent coverage and a high quality finish that won’t disappoint. However, for longer lasting use, it’s advised that two coats are applied and that it’s left for at least 4 hours between each coat.
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6. The One Multi Surface Paint
The One Multi Surface Paint is another formula that’s universal but works great upon bathroom and kitchen tiles. In terms of using the formula, it requires no undercoating or priming and in most cases, it only requires a single coat.
Other features of the One Multi Surface Paint include:
- Water based formula
- Suitable for a wide range of surfaces
- Choice of 12 different colours
- Available in 250ml, 1 or 2.5 litre tins
- Matt, satin and gloss finishes
Overall, The One Multi Surface Paint is a great option to consider and it really does tick all the boxes. The only main drawback is the expensive price tag but once you’ve painted your tiles, you won’t regret buying it.
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How We Rated
Whether we are painting bathroom tiles in one of our rental properties or tiles in the office kitchen, we’ve had plenty of experience with a range of paints. As you can see in the photo, we decided to be a bit creative with our most recent tile painting project.
We firstly painted all of the tiles with a white tile paint and then used masking tape to mask out every other square tile once the paint had dried. We then switched to our grey tile paint to paint the exposed tiles that were masked off. The end result after removing the masking tape was superb and it certainly made the office kitchen look far more modern than it was before.
As well as our experience with multiple tile paints, we also based our recommendations upon hours of research and a number of factors. Some of the factors we considered included the coverage, finish, durability, colours available, ease of application, time to dry and value for money.
Conclusion
Transforming your bathroom or kitchen with some of the latest tile paints is easy to do and it produces great results. Unlike other painting projects, most tile paint formulas can be applied straight onto the surface and many don’t even require a primer prior to painting. All of our recommendations listed above are developed by leading brands in the UK that offer a variety of finishes and colours. However, if you are struggling to choose a suitable paint, feel free to get in touch and we can provide our assistance where possible.
