No, you cannot stain ceramic tile. If you try it, the grout will take the stain but not the tile. Painting ceramic tile MAY work. I wouldn't try it on a counter top, but wall tile may take the paint ok. I read that there are special paints that work best on tile but have never tried them.
Posts: 12118 | Location: Eagle, CO USA | Registered: Sep 18, 2002
It can be done, but it isn't easy. Ceramic tile is glazed and you have to acid etch the glaze to get any stain to take. The same acid used to etch concrete for staining can be used but in at least double concentration. You could also sand blast the tile to de-glaze the surface if you are afraid of using the acid. After that, concrete stain will take on the surface but it will not look the way you will expect - you will have to work with it to get it looking the way you want it. After the stain is well dried and set, clear coat with two coats of concrete, brick and tile sealer.
Posts: 1 | Location: United States | Registered: Jun 08, 2012
You're talking about hydrofluoric acid, a specific acid used for etching porcelain and glass - and you should not ever use it the way proposed here. This stuff is extremely dangerous, and it's totally irresponsible to suggest any diy tile projects with it on areas of wall/floors.
On top of it, the staining project will fail anyway.
Glad to see that someone is responsible and will not tell people to just go ahead and DIY. There are some things which should never be attempted on your own, no matter what any tv show or salesperson says to the contrary.
Posts: 2611 | Location: Ohio | Registered: Feb 25, 2006
