Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Painting the unglazed edge of wall tiles

1,825 views
Skip to first unread message

GMM

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 4:44:58 AM4/19/12
to
For various reasons I can't use an edge strip on some tiling I need to
do, so will finish the edge with a small fillet of grout (or maybe
silicone). The tiles are white but the glaze doesn't (as usual) cover
the whole of the edge. They're also thicker than usual. To stop any
of the brown unglazed edge showing through, I thought I might paint
the edge before sticking them up.

Question is, what's the best way to paint it? Clearly, 'tile paint'
is only designed to cover the glazed surface. Would a regular primer,
undercoat, gloss approach work (which might give the best outcome) or
would it be better to use emulsion? Maybe seal with some PVA first?
I have a vision of the tile sucking most of the water from any paint
pretty quickly...

Cheers

Tim Watts

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 5:03:18 AM4/19/12
to
IME emulsion works fine. I had already applied grout sealer to teh edges so
that may have helped.

I just ran the wall paint half over the exposed edge - enough to cover the
brown biscuit.


--
Tim Watts

Dave Liquorice

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 5:13:30 AM4/19/12
to
On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:44:58 -0700 (PDT), GMM wrote:

> The tiles are white but the glaze doesn't (as usual) cover the whole of
> the edge.

That's why they make edge tiles... though probably not avaialable for
the cheaper end of the rage wall tiles, plastic edging strip is
cheaper. Can't think of any reasons why edging strip can't be used
either.

--
Cheers
Dave.



NT

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 5:31:22 AM4/19/12
to
No need to prepaint them, just let the wall emulsion paint cover the
tile edges too.


NT

GMM

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 6:15:40 AM4/19/12
to
Thanks Tim - I'll give it a go with some emulsion

GMM

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 6:17:37 AM4/19/12
to
On Apr 19, 10:13 am, "Dave Liquorice"
I'd love to find a source of edge tiles but haven't seen them for
years. Edging strip is a bit of a pain and doesn't seem to be
particularly cheap to me but the reason for not using it here is about
the dimensions and keeping a number of different edges in line.

GMM

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 6:18:04 AM4/19/12
to
Which would be fine if I was painting the wall :)

stuart noble

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 7:11:01 AM4/19/12
to
Hardwood mouldings can be useful. You realise how rough tile edges are
once you paint them!

Kevin

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 7:46:53 AM4/19/12
to
On 19/04/2012 11:17, GMM wrote:
> On Apr 19, 10:13 am, "Dave Liquorice"
> <allsortsnotthis...@howhill.co.uk> wrote:
>> On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:44:58 -0700 (PDT), GMM wrote:
>>> The tiles are white but the glaze doesn't (as usual) cover the whole of
>>> the edge.
>>
>> That's why they make edge tiles... though probably not avaialable for
>> the cheaper end of the rage wall tiles, plastic edging strip is
>> cheaper. Can't think of any reasons why edging strip can't be used
>> either.

>
> I'd love to find a source of edge tiles but haven't seen them for
> years.

Apart from not being able to find bull-nosed RE and REX tiles easily,
even plain white ones, I notice that no-one seems to make those tiles in
which odd ones in the box had one or two edges completely square, but
glazed. Something to do with most/all tiles being imported, perhaps?

I don't like the appearance or added dirt-traps of plastic edging.

--
Kevin Poole

sm_jamieson

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 8:58:14 AM4/19/12
to
I painted some tile edges around a tiled "door" in the bath panel with grout reviver paint which did a good job and soaked in just the right amount. It ended up looking like the biscuit was white.

You could also use tile paint which may match the tiles, although I'm sure a seam would still be visible.

Simon.

Andy Bartlett

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 12:14:07 PM4/19/12
to

"GMM" <Han...@dsl.pipex.com> wrote in message
news:71196721-46f4-428b...@f17g2000yqj.googlegroups.com...
For a really neat finish I have used Hammerite white enamel in the past.


bolt...@mailbolt.com

unread,
Apr 22, 2012, 5:32:03 AM4/22/12
to
On Thursday, April 19, 2012 11:17:37 AM UTC+1, GMM wrote:

> I'd love to find a source of edge tiles but haven't seen them for
> years. Edging strip is a bit of a pain and doesn't seem to be
> particularly cheap to me but the reason for not using it here is about
> the dimensions and keeping a number of different edges in line.

The plastic stuff is very cheap at 3 or 3 quid for 2.5m, but looks it.

I don't quite get what is stopping you using it though. The L shaped stuff (as opposed to the quadrant or box section stuff) only adds a couple of mill to the edge, but it isn't clear what the issue is.
0 new messages