Can't Find The Tile You Want? Create Your Own

If you're remodeling your bathroom and you want to make it truly unique, you need to consider taking the time to customize it. There are many people who think that they are limited by the tile that is available for purchase in home improvement stores. They assume that if they do not see a tile design they love, they have to settle for a design that is as close to what they want as possible. That is not the case at all. Use the following guide to learn how to customize the tile in your bathroom using stencils.

Clean the Tile

Use a rag and warm soapy water to clean the entire surface of the tile. Be sure to remove any stuck on gunk from the tile and grout. Once the surface appears to be clean, use a few cotton balls dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean the surfaces one last time. The rubbing alcohol removes any film that the soapy water may have left behind and helps the pores of the tile to open up so that the tile can soak up the paint.

Secure the Stencil

Place the stencil directly onto the tile. Position it in the location where you think you want to paint and then tape it down with painters tape. The painters tape will keep the stencil from moving around while you paint without causing damage to the tile.

Paint the Image

When you paint the tiles, you want to use a paint that contains a urethane resin. This type of paint will soak into the porcelain tile so that the image is bold and crisp. Acrylic paints do not soak into the pores of the porcelain as well. Apply the paint to the tile in thin layers. You want to be sure that the paint does not run down behind the stencil and applying it thinly betters your chances of having a crisp edge when you are done.

Seal the Tile

Once you have painted all of the tiles with the images you want them to have on them, you need to seal the tile. Sealing it helps to ensure that the paint stays in place and does not become damaged when water or soap get on it. A polyurethane sealer can be painted directly onto the tiles to seal them. Be sure that the area is well ventilated to ensure you do not breathe in the fumes of the sealer. Allow the sealer to dry overnight.

The entire stenciling process is easy and fun to do. You can choose any design you want and get the bathroom of your dreams within a matter of just a few hours. Or, if you choose not to have a stenciled design, consider a specialty tile store, like Tuo Sogno​.

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