Tumbled limestone tile is limestone tile that has been turned repeatedly in a drum with sand or gravel to give it a smooth and weathered look. It usually is covered in sealant or gloss before or after the tiling process. If you want to change the color of tumbled limestone tile, it's not easy, but it's not impossible. The trick is to get the paint to stick to the hard, slick surface.
Instructions
1. Dull the surface of the tumbled limestone tiles with the pad sander and aluminum-oxide sandpaper. Sand it just enough to take the shine off the surface. Brush off the dust.
2. Apply primer to the tile surface with a paintbrush, brushing it in a thin, smooth layer with the brushstrokes in one direction. Don't prime the grout lines.
3. Let the primer dry for 24 hours.
4. Apply paint to the tiles in the same way you did the primer, again keeping it all in one direction.
5. Let the first coat set for 24 hour. Apply subsequent coats in the same manner. Let each layer set for 24 hours before applying the next one.
6. Brush a layer of oil-based polyurethane onto each tile, keeping it thin and smooth. Don't cover the grout lines. Let the polyurethane set for 24 hours.
7. Lightly sand the polyurethane by hand with extra-fine sandpaper to de-gloss the shine. Brush off the dust.
8. Brush on a second layer of polyurethane, keeping it in a thin, smooth layer and off the grout. Let the polyurethane dry for 24 hours.
9. Lightly sand the tile. Brush off the dust. Apply a third layer of polyurethane. Let it set for 24 hours.
