Removing paint from tiles

Ashleigh asks:

The person who owned my apartment before I did has painted the floor tiles in my bathroom and now the paint is starting to peel and make a mess, I’m happy just to leave the tiles that are there, I just need some help getting the paint off. Any ideas?
Jane says:

There are several methods that you can try for cleaning up bathroom floor tiles. Since you say that the paint is beginning to peel on its own, I would recommend attempting to scrape it off first. This may be laborious, but may be the cheapest and easiest way to get rid of the old paint. Use a painter’s knife, putty knife or a razor blade held at an angle to avoid damaging the surface of the tile. Depending upon the material your tiles are made of, they may scratch or chip easily.

If you have scraped all that you can, try a scouring pad to remove fine and stubborn bits. Use soapy water to loosen the remaining paint and be as gentle as possible while applying enough pressure to free up the paint.

Still having trouble removing paint from your tiles? If it is a small amount, you can try nail polish remover. With a large amount of paint remaining, you may need to buy a commercial paint remover or paint thinner to clean your tiles.

Carefully choose a paint remover that is safe for the type of tile you are working on. When applying, you should test the solution on a small area before spreading it over your floor. Check the effect that it has on your tile’s finish and colour before continuing. If your test spot comes clean without tile damage, continue with the rest of the room.

If you find that you need a paint remover but prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, you can try the natural solution of heated water and vinegar (mixed half and half) before conceding to something stronger.

Your next challenge will be to remove paint from your grout. This can be much more challenging than cleaning the tile because the grout is rough and porous. If the paint came off your grout during the cleaning of your tiles, consider yourself lucky. If you are still looking for help, read on.

The same techniques and cleaning products that took the paint off your tiles may also work on your grout, but it may take additional applications. If you are having no luck removing the paint, or the grout beneath is permanently stained, you may need to restore its colour.

The easiest way to give your grout a consistent, desirable colour is to paint it yourself. Specialised paint is available for grout, so that you can have clean tiles and fresh-looking grout without painting the tiles too.

A second option is to remove the grout with a sanding or cutting tool attachment that will fit between your tiles. This is tedious, delicate work, but it allows you to apply fresh grout in the colour of your choice.

Jane Eyles-Bennett is a Brisbane interior designer and the founder of Hotspace Consultants. She has more than 20 years’ interior design experience and her business has helped more than 500 home owners and property investors in the past seven years.