Need to remove old, chipping, or flaking paint before refreshing? Learn about paint removal costs in this guide to see how much you should budget.
How to Remove Paint From Tile in 4 Easy Steps
Get your tiles looking good as new with a little elbow grease and a few household supplies
Get quotes from ceramic tile pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from ceramic tile pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
1 hour
COST
Up to $25
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Razor blade or utility knife
- Cleaning cloth
- Toothbrush (optional)
- Heat gun or hair dryer (optional)
- Safety goggles (optional)
SUPPLIES
- Soap
- Water
- White vinegar, baking soda, or commercial paint remover (optional)
Perhaps you’ve just repainted your kitchen, and you notice a few drops of paint on your backsplash. Or, maybe you recently bought your first home and discovered vintage wall tiles concealed by a layer of paint. Either way, if you want to restore your tiles to their former glory, you’ll need to know how to remove paint from tile. Let’s break down the process.
Prepping to Remove Paint From Tile
Before trying to remove any paint, clean the entire tile surface with soap and water. Alternatively, you can use a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water if you have ceramic or porcelain tiles—but don’t use vinegar on natural stone.
If you live in an older home and have any suspicion that you might be dealing with lead paint, don’t try to remove it yourself. Instead, call a lead paint removal professional.
How to Remove Paint From Tiles
Once the surface is clean, you can move on to the paint removal phase of the project. Whether you’re dealing with a few splatters or a fully painted-over tile floor, here’s how to remove paint from tiles.
Scrape the Paint From the Tile
In a best-case scenario, you’ll be able to remove paint from tile using just a sharp tool, like a razor blade or utility knife. To do it, hold the tool at a 45-degree angle and scrape the paint gently. Work slowly and use small strokes so you don’t damage the tiles. If the glaze starts flaking off or you accidentally scratch the tiles, stop scraping and go to the next step.
Use a Paint Removal Solution
You can also use a natural or chemical paint remover to get rid of paint on tile. But before you use one of these solutions on a large surface, test it out on a small area first. If it causes any discoloration or damage, don’t use it.
Vinegar
Best for small drips and spots, vinegar is a natural paint remover that works on many types of tile, including ceramic, porcelain, and glass. However, due to its acidity, it’s not suitable for natural stone tiles like marble, granite, or limestone.
To use this method, soak a cloth in vinegar and lay it over the paint for a few hours to soften it. Then, scrape off what you can (but be careful not to scratch the grout).
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another natural option for removing a few splotches of paint from tile. To use it, combine it with water to create a paste and apply the mixture on top of the paint. Gently scrape off the paint with your razor blade or utility knife while steering steer clear of the grout.
Commercial Paint Remover
For larger areas or thick layers of paint, you may need to use something stronger—like a commercial paint remover. When shopping for these types of products, look for a formula that
Before using one of these solutions, put on your protective gear (mask, goggles, and gloves). Then, apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and scrape or wipe it away.
Apply Heat
Direct heat softens paint, which makes it easier to remove from tile. Hold a heat gun or hair dryer over small sections of tile, continually moving it around to prevent overheating. When the paint goes soft, use your sharp tool to scrape it off. Wipe the area with a damp cloth, then move to the next section.
Combine Methods
Depending on how much paint you’re hoping to get rid of, you may need to mix and match methods to remove it all. For example, if you need to remove paint from tiles that have been painted, you could start by applying heat and scraping the paint, then use a removal solution on any remaining paint.
No matter how you choose to soften and loosen the paint, you’ll probably have to scrape or scrub it—either with a razor blade, utility knife, or toothbrush—to remove it fully.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Removing paint from tile is a simple and straightforward DIY project, especially if there are only a few drops here and there. However, if your project spans multiple rooms or involves antique tiles, it’s safer to contact a local tile repair pro to make sure the paint removal is done correctly. And if you think the paint could contain lead, you should definitely call a professional.
Hopefully, you or the pro can remove the paint without damaging your tiles. But if not, you may need to spring for new tiles. On average, tile installation costs $400 to $4,250, depending on the size of the project, type of tile, and other factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ceramic tile services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.6★ avg. • 42 total reviews
- Sue B.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors - Manoj K.
It was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring Solutions - Bob T.
We were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTile - Stephanie S.
For several months I was looking for somebody to tile a wall in my master bath and move lighting fixtures, and could not find anybody who was responsive. I contacted Rowe through Home Advisor and within days they came by to assess the job and provide an estimate. The cost was very...
Rowe House Development - Timothy C.
It went very well! The end product was amazing and we keep getting a lot of compliments from friends! M&E were very professional and they made sure we were happy with the product before leaving. They met with us in our home and at the tile shop to make sure we were okay with our tile and...
M&E Remodeling - Kendrick V.
Involved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLC - Locke M.
Very pleased with the service and level of professionalism. Courteous and very unobtrusive in performing service. Unlike several other companies, Bradford Xteriors was willing to perform work on a three story home with a clay tile roof. <br />
Bradford Xteriors - Jeffrey B.
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling - Gary D.
He did the tile work and he was good at it. He used other subcontractors for the rest of the work (like putting in the cabinetry) and they were okay but not great. He was a great guy! He was easy to work with and had a good eye for the detail of his work. There were a couple of things that I...
Brian Miller Custom Remodeling - Michael S.
I was very impressed with Miller Cantrell! I live in an old home in which the sewage line that runs from my home to the sewage system is a line of clay tile. These eventually collapse and need to be replaced - an expensive problem and sure to happen at the worst time. I told them that my...
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