How to Re-Glaze Wall Tiles Yourself

Glazed wall tiles get that trademark shine through a firing process before you install them on the walls. If the tiles have lost their shine over the years, you can't duplicate the firing process but you can restore the shine in another way. Polyurethane, the clear gloss used on wood floors, can go on the tiles to effectively ``re-glaze'' them. The new gloss won't stick to the surface unless you get it dull and free of shine.

Hand-held belt sander
Aluminum-oxide sanding belt (fine abrasion)
Dry rags
Polyurethane
Finishing paintbrush
Regular sandpaper (extra-fine abrasion)

Instructions

- 1
  Go over the surface of the wall tiles the belt sander and aluminum-oxide sanding belt, to dull the existing tile glaze, just enough so it's dull rather than shiny.
- 2
  Wipe down the wall with dry cloths to remove the dust.
- 3
  Use your finishing paintbrush to apply polyurethane over each tile. Brush it on a smooth, thin coat, starting at the top of the wall and working your way down. Brush it on the tile surfaces only, not the grout lines.
- 4
  Let the polyurethane set 12 hours.
- 5
  Use your extra-fine sandpaper to hand-sand the dried polyurethane, very lightly, to de-gloss it so the next coat will stick. Wipe it down with dry cloths.
- 6
  Brush on a second coat of polyurethane in the same manner as the first. Let it set 12 hours. De-gloss it with extra-fine sandpaper.
- 7
  Wipe off the dust. Apply a third coat of polyurethane. Let it dry 24 hours.

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