The short version
- Yes, you can paint grout. Grout paint (sometimes called grout renew or grout colorant) is a tinted epoxy-acrylic coating that bonds to cement grout.
- Deep-clean the grout, let it dry 24-72 hours, then brush paint into the lines with a small stiff brush.
- Wipe paint off the tile faces within the time on the label - usually 1 hour, sometimes less.
- Our bathroom cost under $20 and took one afternoon plus drying time.
- Works great on floors and walls; avoid applying over cracked or crumbling grout - repair it first.
Our bathroom tile is original to the house, and honestly, the tile itself is fine. The grout was another story - uneven shades of gray and beige, darker in the corners, with a few spots that looked permanently dirty no matter how hard I scrubbed. Regrouting a whole bathroom is a big, messy job. Painting the grout? That's an afternoon and a podcast.
If you've ever wondered "can you paint grout?" - you can, and it's one of the most satisfying before-and-afters we've done.
What is grout paint?
Grout paint (also sold as grout colorant, grout renew or grout stain) is a tinted coating designed specifically for cement grout. It soaks into the porous grout, bonds to it and dries to a hard, water-resistant finish - basically re-coloring and sealing your grout in one step. Unlike wall paint, it's formulated to stand up to moisture and foot traffic.
Color tip: white looks amazing, but on a floor it'll show dirt again eventually. A soft gray or "delorean gray" type shade hides wear and still looks fresh against white tile.
What you'll need
- Grout paint / grout colorant (one 8 oz bottle did our bathroom)
- Grout cleaner or oxygen bleach
- Stiff grout brush or old toothbrush
- Small stiff artist's brush or the applicator in the kit
- Damp sponge and microfiber cloths
- Kneeling pad (trust me)
- Painter's tape for edges
- Good lighting / headlamp
How much grout paint do you need?
Grout lines add up fast - a 40 sq ft bathroom floor with 4" tile has around 240 linear feet of grout. Enter your tile size and area below to see how many bottles to grab; check your bottle's coverage and adjust the number.
Caulk & Grout Paint Calculator
Caulk
Grout paint
A standard 5 ft tub has about 14-16 ft of joint (back wall plus two ends, plus a little up each corner). Caulk adds a 15% waste factor. Grout coverage varies by brand and joint width - check your bottle and adjust.
Step 1: Deep-clean the grout
This is the most important step. Grout paint needs clean, porous grout to bond. Scrub the lines with a grout cleaner (or oxygen bleach mixed with warm water) and a stiff brush, rinse well and wipe up the dirty water. For really stained grout, let the cleaner sit 10 minutes before scrubbing.
Step 2: Let it dry completely
Give the grout at least 24 hours to dry after cleaning - longer in a humid bathroom. Run the fan. Painting damp grout is the number one reason grout paint peels.
Step 3: Paint the grout lines
- Shake well and work small. Do about 2-3 square feet at a time.
- Brush it in. Use a small stiff brush to work the paint down into each grout line. Don't worry about being neat - it's easier to wipe excess off the tile than to be perfect.
- Wait a few minutes, then wipe. After the time recommended on your bottle (often 5-30 minutes), wipe the tile faces with a damp sponge, moving diagonally across the grout lines so you don't pull paint out of them.
- Buff the haze. Once that section is dry, buff any haze with a dry microfiber cloth.
Don't let grout paint fully cure on the tile. If you miss a spot, scrape it gently with a plastic scraper or a melamine sponge as soon as you notice.
Step 4: Second coat (if needed) and cure
Going light over dark (dingy gray to white), you may want a second coat after a few hours. Then let it cure fully before mopping or showering - usually 3-7 days for wet areas. Check your product label.
Our cost: under $20
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Grout paint (8 oz) | ~$12 |
| Brushes | ~$4 |
| Grout cleaner (already had) | $0 |
| Total | ~$16 |
Grout paint tips we learned the hard way
- Use a headlamp. Missed spots are invisible until the next morning.
- Start in a closet or behind the toilet to get the hang of it.
- Repair cracked grout first. Paint won't fix crumbling grout - regrout those spots, let them cure, then paint.
- Finish with fresh caulk. Grout paint plus new tub caulk is the cheapest bathroom refresh there is.
Want to keep going? Here are more budget bathroom makeover ideas, including how we dealt with the wallpaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can grout be painted?
Yes. Cement-based grout can be painted with a grout colorant or grout paint designed for the job. It bonds to the porous grout, seals it and changes the color - from dingy to white, or to a darker color that hides stains.
How long does grout paint last?
In our experience, several years on walls and lower-traffic floors when the grout was cleaned properly first. Shower floors and entryways wear faster and may need touch-ups.
How do you get grout paint off tile?
While it's wet, wipe it with a damp sponge or cloth. Once it has dried, most grout colorants come off glazed tile with a plastic scraper, a melamine sponge or a little warm water and patience. Do small sections so it doesn't cure on the tile.
How long should grout dry before painting it?
Freshly installed grout needs to cure, typically 48-72 hours (check the grout bag). Existing grout that you've cleaned with water should dry at least 24 hours so the colorant can soak in.
Can you use grout paint in a shower?
Many grout colorants are rated for showers once fully cured - usually after 3-7 days. Check the product label, and give it the full cure time before it gets wet.
What's the difference between grout paint and a grout pen?
A grout pen is a marker with a fine felt tip - great for touch-ups and small areas. Grout paint comes in a bottle and is brushed on, which is faster and longer-lasting for a whole room.
