---
title: "Prep Set Go! Tiling Over Painted Surfaces Ep. 7"
description: In this video we go through the importance of why paints should be removed before tiling, and the various tiling errors that could occur when leaving a painted surface as is, instead of removing it.
url: "https://www.rlapolymers.com.au/docs/prep-set-go-tiling-over-painted-surfaces-ep-7/"
updated: "2023-10-31"
category: "Prep-Set-Go Videos"
---

# Prep Set Go! Tiling Over Painted Surfaces Ep. 7

[YouTube video player](https://www.youtube.com/embed/z0z4Ca-dPvA?si=AeLzltqglhkRAfEP)

     Description   Transcript

## Description

In this video we go through the importance of why paints should be removed before tiling, and the various tiling errors that could occur when leaving a painted surface as is, instead of removing it.

## Transcript

0:04
 Hi everyone and welcome to another episode of Prep, Set, Go. For those who have joined us
 0:08
 previously we've been looking at tiling applications on different surfaces,
 0:13
 and in this short episode we'll be covering tiling over painted surfaces. So, let's jump
 0:17
 right in. Tiling over painted surfaces is something you'll often come across,
 0:22
 particularly in renovation projects - but can also occur in construction - and there are many
 0:27
 different types of paints you might come across, including water based acrylics, PVA paints,
 0:32
 polyurethanes, epoxies, oil based enamels, bitumen paints, and paving paints to name a few. Now while
 0:38
 the chemical composition, physical attributes, and respective uses may all be different,
 0:44
 they generally share the same common requirement when it comes to tiling... and that is that they
 0:49
 should be removed. So that's all for today's episode we said it be brief, thanks for joining
 0:54
 us. Now we're just kidding. Now let's explore why this blanket rule of removing paints before
 1:02
 tiling is applicable. Now firstly unless otherwise specified, paints are generally not designed to
 1:09
 carry any loadings, they are standalone finishes designed to support their own weight. Tiling
 1:14
 systems that include the weight of the tiles, adhesive, and grout, add significant strain on
 1:19
 the paint to support these additional loadings when they simply haven't been engineered to do
 1:24
 so. So there's an obvious risk of delamination of the paint from the substrate under load. Secondly,
 1:30
 if the paint isn't adequately adhered to the substrate or if it has a weak adhesion profile,
 1:35
 it could compromise the bond between the tiles and the substrate. Because remember the strength of
 1:40
 the tile bond is reliant on adhesion of the paint to the substrate, and not the tile adhesive to the
 1:45
 paint. Thirdly, glossy or oil- based paints tend to have a low porosity, making them inherently
 1:51
 difficult to adhere to. This impacts the chemical or physical bond of the adhesive to the paint and
 1:56
 increasing the likelihood of the adhesive and tiles to de-bond. Special primers and roughening
 2:01
 of the surface may assist to achieve a key, but there are still the other points we've just
 2:06
 covered to consider. Compatibility of the adhesive with the paint must also be considered. Can the
 2:12
 alkaline nature of the tile adhesive chemically affect breakdown or weaken the paint? Similarly
 2:18
 with water-based acrylics and PVA's, these have very low water tolerance - so contact with the
 2:23
 wet tile adhesive could result in peeling, softening, and breaking down of the paint,
 2:28
 and again the delamination of the tiles. So in summary, whenever faced with a painted surface
 2:35
 to be tiled, understanding and evaluating the associated risks would demand that removal of the
 2:40
 paint back to a surface more suited and capable of supporting the adhesion of the tiled finish
 2:46
 to be the more safer and prudent option. Sure it may require more work and added preparation,
 2:51
 but will eliminate potential risk and ensure the integrity and longevity of
 2:56
 the tiling system. Thanks for joining us on this episode, keep your feedback and comments coming,
 3:00
 we love hearing from you. And remember to like and subscribe, we'll see you next time.