A fireplace can be a beautiful focal point for a room...or, it can be the stumbling block in your re-decorating project. Porcelain tile can be difficult to remove and costly to replace, but there are other ways to change the look of your fireplace. As long as the tiles are securely installed and unbroken, you can very simply paint porcelain tiles around a fireplace to completely change the look of your decor.

Prep the Porcelain Tiles

Before you apply paint to the tiles, you'll need to thoroughly clean them. Paint won't stick well to dirty surfaces, so pick out a standard household cleaner (something that's mildly abrasive), and use a cloth to scrub the tile and surrounding grout carefully. It doesn't matter if the porcelain tiles become slightly scratched in the cleaning process, because paint sticks better to rougher surfaces. Make sure the porcelain tiles and grout are completely free of dirt, oils, soot and debris before you begin painting. If the porcelain tile is extremely smooth even after the cleaning process, use sandpaper to roughen the surface by hand.

Apply Primer

It's best to apply one to two coats of primer to your porcelain tiles before you start to paint around the fireplace. The primer will adhere to the tiles, creating a strong base for the paint to grip once it's applied. Primer will make it easier to apply the paint, and help keep the original color of the tile or grout from bleeding through.

Paint the Porcelain Tiles

After the primer has thoroughly dried, apply the sandpaper again to create a rougher, scratchy surface. Once this is complete, you can start painting around the fireplace. Oil-based paint will grip the tile surface best, making your home improvement job a little easier. Paint with a semi-gloss or gloss finish will create a great-looking finish around your fireplace area. Paint the tiles in thin coats, using as many coats as it takes to achieve the desired effect. Allow the porcelain tiles to dry thoroughly before adding one to two coats of urethane to seal and protect your work.

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