Faux Mexican Tile

Enjoy the look of an expensive custom tile floor in your home for a fraction of the cost of a real one. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E  REAL VIDEO How to create faux tile floors

Materials:

trisodium phosphate (TSP)
Kilz stain blocking primer
Breakthrough acrylic paint in various colors to match decor (3 to5 colors)
pencil or invisible marker
paintbrush or foam sponge brush
detail brush
polyurethane

Steps:

1. Clean existing vinyl floor well with soap and water.
2. Prepare it for painting by cleaning with TSP to remove the gloss from the vinyl , following the manufacturer's instructions. Carefully follow any recommended safety measures including wearing rubber gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask.
3. Apply Kilz to the floor according to directions. This is a primer that prepares the vinyl to accept paint. Let it dry thoroughly. The smell can be strong so open the windows and close the room off from the rest of the house while using this product . You may want to use the new Kilz-Ultra with low odor--especially if you tackle this project in the winter. Let it dry thoroughly.
4. Next, paint the tiles with acrylic paint as shown (figure A). We chose brick red to create the look of terra cotta. Be sure to leave "grout lines" visible around each tile (figure B). To create the illusion of primitive or handmade tiles, allow the edges to be soft, as shown. For a formal look, use tape to mask the tiles before painting. Let the paint dry thoroughly.
5. Shade the outer edges of the tiles to give them depth and texture with black, gray or brown acrylic paint (figure C). First dampen a detail brush with water , then dip it in your shading color. If you apply too much paint, dilute it with water and remove excess moisture with a soft cloth (see video at right). Repeat this process on all of your tiles and let dry.
6. Draw the decorative patterns you have chosen on the floor with a pencil as shown (figure D). Then, using acrylic paint and a small brush, create your designs with bright colors (figure E). Let dry.
7. The final step is sealing the paint. Apply three coats of satin or high-gloss polyurethane for the best results and durability.