Natural stone tiles make up slate floors, which come in various colors but lose their luster as they age.
However, it is still possible to change the color of your slate tiles by painting them.
To paint a slate floor:
- Clean the slate floor tiles and remove any uneven areas with sandpaper.
- Cover the tiles with the paint and coat them with the painter’s caulk.
- Prime the caulk with a thin layer of primer.
- Apply 2-3 coats of paint to the tiles and leave them to dry.
- Seal the color with a water-based sealant.
Below, we have written a comprehensive guide on how to paint slate floors since slate tile has a non-porous surface, and doing so requires a different technique and more effort.
Painting Slate Floors
Painting slate tiles on your own can give your floor a brighter and better appearance than most suppliers’ dull-colored tiles. Once done, the slate floor color and luster will last months or even years!
Let’s now discuss the complete steps to paint slate doors:
Step #1: Cleaning the Slate Tiles
Mix one cup of bleach with 4 liters of water in a bucket. Next, scrub the slate tiles in circular motions using a sponge or washcloth soaked in the solution to remove any visible dirt or grime.
Use air or a towel to dry the surface of the tiles.
Step #2: Making Surface Smooth
Next, smooth the surface by sanding down any bumps using fine-grit sandpaper. Finally, apply an epoxy sealant before painting tiles with dips or cracks.
Make sure you apply epoxy to the rest of the tiles with those you paint for visual consistency.
Epoxy is a long-lasting tile sealant that helps keep the paint smooth while holding the tiles in place.
Step #3: Covering Unpainted Parts
In this step, use painter’s tape to block out any parts of the tile that you do not want to paint. Next, cover the floor surrounding the tile with a plastic tarp, securing it with tape or weights if you only paint certain slate tiles.
Wear gloves to keep your hands clean and dry, and use safety goggles for eye protection.
Step #4: Coating the Slate Tiles
Painter’s caulk improves the adhesion of the primer and paints to the surface of the slate. Moreover, the painter’s caulk doesn’t require any time to dry.
Apply translucent painter’s caulk to the tile surface by squeezing and spreading it until you get a thin and even coat.
Step #5: Priming the Caulk
Cover the tile from one side to the other using a paintbrush or a spray can. For an even coating, use thin, long strokes of the primer. Leave the coat to dry for half an hour before applying the paint.
Use primers specifically for painting tiles or slate floors for the best results.
Step #6: Painting Slate Floor Tiles
Start painting the slate tile flooring in long, even strokes with a paintbrush or roller. Ensure that the entire slate is covered with a thin coat of paint with minimal overlap.
For best results, using epoxy or latex paints for tiles is better. If the paint is hard, add a little thinner for consistency.
Step #7: Applying Additional Coats
Following the same method used for the first layer, apply additional layers of paint after letting each dry for 30-60 minutes. Adding more coats will make your slate floor’s color appear brighter and more opaque.
Step #8: Leaving the Paint To Dry
After finishing the last paint coat, leave the slate floor to dry undisturbed for two days or 48 hours.
Avoid walking or touching the tiles. However, if you have accidentally touched the wet floor, check for any smudges.
Repaint the damaged area and leave it to dry for another two days.
Step #9: Sealing the Color
Lastly, remove the painter’s tape from the surrounding painted slate tiles with a paintbrush or roller, and apply a water-based urethane paint sealant with long, even strokes.
Apply another coat after 30-60 minutes of the adhesive dry-out period.
Recoat the slate floor with the sealant about every six months to keep the luster of the tiles intact and protect it from damage.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve discussed how to paint slate floors without professional help with step-by-step instructions.
Though you will love the results of painting the slate floor yourself, the beautiful tile paint is not permanent, thus, requiring frequent touch-ups to sustain the shine and color.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Paint Colors Are Suitable for Slate?
Almost any color goes well with slate floors as a neutral. Add a pinch of color to your palette, like orange, and combine it with neutral hues for a modern appearance.
If a specific variation of slate has blue or purple undertones, mix it with the same shade.
How To Make a Slate Floor Look Good?
You can brighten up the color of your slate with a sealer if you don’t want it to remain dull and chalky.
An enhancing water-based urethane sealant will add a bit of shine and maintain the look of wet tile flooring.
Do I Need To Maintain My Slate Floor?
Compressed sedimentary layers under the ocean form slate. A rigid composition prevents it from fading, scratching, and even being damaged by chemicals.
Slate tiles can last a lifetime with regular sealing, but frequent maintenance is essential.
