Can You Paint Grout? Learn How to Refresh Grout Step by Step
Painting grout is one of the popular methods of its restoration. It's necessary when the grout joints begin to look unsightly. Contrary to the popular belief, it's not difficult to do – so everyone can do it with ease. Check how to refresh grout. Learn what grout paint and equipment to use.
When do you need to refresh grout joints?
Grout joints typically have to be refreshed after a few years from making them. Depending on how the surface is utilized and what products are used on it – this period might be different in each case. If the surface is heavily utilized, it might turn out that grout has to be restored after only 2 years. In other cases, apparent damage or breaking appear after 4-5 years.
Can you paint grout without a professional help?
Many people think that grout restoration is a complicated process. As it turns out, it’s not true at all. While it might be demanding and requiring some patience, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to do it yourself.
Regardless, grout restoration doesn’t always end with a success. Sometimes, the results might be less than good. But note that it usually is not a result of lack of experience or the process being complicated. Typically, wrong products are the main culprit of the renovation going badly.
What is the best grout paint?
Special grout paint is the basic product that allows renovation, or visual refreshment of this element. Why can’t it be any other paint? Mostly because such products:
- perfectly cover the surface,
- are highly adhesive,
- are resistant to water and humidity,
- endure intense usage,
- are immune to abrasion.
Grout refreshed with special paint is more resistant to mechanical damage and looks perfect for a very long time.
In addition, the market offers special gadgets such as grout pens. They are equally effective, and are much easier to use.
Painting grout joints with a grout pen
Using such products for grout restoration is not a complicated process. Painting with a grout pen doesn’t require preparation. The only thing one should do is clean the surface from dirt – after which you can begin painting. Apply the product directly to the surface to eliminate:
- discoloration,
- faded spots.
Thanks to a grout pen, you can also improve the color of the grout joints, or change it completely. Note that a pen can only change a brighter color to a darker one.
Restoring grout with special paint
Painting grout joints with a special product is a bit more complicated than using a grout pen. It’s mostly because this method requires additional accessories such as a brush of an adequate thickness. One also has to watch the amount of the applied product. If you apply too little, the effect might be too transparent. With too much paint on the grout joints, they won’t look too appealing, either. One also have to be very precise and make sure not to paint over the tiles.
How to quickly restore grout color?
If you want to just refresh the color of the grout joints, you don’t need paint, a grout pen or a filler – of course, provided that their surface is free from damage. You can use one of the several proven methods. We recommend:
- baking powder, which is also a great remedy when cleaning an oven – combined with lemon, it brings astonishing results,
- baking soda and vinegar – it’s a go-to mixture for removing dirt and discoloration from grout joints (plus it happens to be a savior if you want to whiten your lace curtains).
Both mixtures should be prepared and applied to the cleaned surface, using a toothbrush or a cloth. After a few or more minutes (depending on the dirt) – wash everything off. The best results can be achieved on bright grout.
Painting grout – how to change grout color?
Painting grout is a perfect way to change something in the interior after a few years of looking at the same design. As it turns out, even such a small detail might make a great difference. Changing color of grout joints is a fantastic idea, although one should keep in mind that in most cases it’s only possible to change bright colors to their darker shades. You can also decide on a more radical transformation. For instance, if the color of the grout in your Scandinavian kitchen is bright, you can change it to e.g., dark grey or black. This way, the entire interior will look completely different. You can decide on something similar in a Scandinavian bathroom. Some products are resistant to water, humidity and various temperatures. Thanks to this, you don’t have to worry about the durability of the new color.
📍 Why painting grout joints?
Grout painting can be done for various reasons – usually aesthetic ones. Thanks to this, one can improve the appearance of old and discolored joints. It's also a great idea if you want to change their colors.
📍 Is it a good idea to refresh grout yourself?
Refreshing grout might be difficult, which doesn't mean it's not possible. Make sure to pick high-quality products and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Also, if you want to achieve a truly aesthetic result, be patient.
📍 How can you restore grout?
Grout restoration is a process depending on the condition of this element. Most people decide only to paint the joints. Special paint or a grout pen fills minor irregularities and masks cracks. If the damage is substantial, the grout has to be filled first, and then it can be painted over.
📍 What grout colorant is typically used for grout painting?
Grout painting requires special products. The most popular are either classic grout paint applied with a brush, or a grout pen. The latter solution is quicker and more convenient.
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