Expert: Leisha Hiester - 9/22/2008

Question
Hi. I have an old table and chairs where there were blue tiles on the table top. I have primed these and under coated today. tomorrow I plan to apply a satin coat to the tiles. then I want to seal this so that the paint doesn't chip as time goes on. I was told that I could apply a few coats of quick drying clear varnish. is this correct? Thanks for your help in advance.

Answer
Shelly,
Were the tiles fired? Are they glossy or finished with a glaze? Even matte glazed tiles will be difficult to paint over. Glaze is like a thin sheet of glass. If you painted a piece of glass it could be scratched off. I've never tried to paint over anything glazed that was going to be used for utilitarian purposes because of this. I suppose if you get it sealed very well with varnish it may work, but my best experience tells me that in time it will chip if there is a coat of glaze on them.

Leisha