How to paint a ceramic soap holder?

Question

Hello. I am hoping to get some advice on painting a single soap holder tile to go in the shower in my new bathroom (which is currently being renovated). I am wanting to paint it a grey colour to stand out from my white tiles. Please see example photo of the tile soap holder attached. The soap holder is not attached to the wall yet, which should make the painting process easier. I know there are various options for painting tiles – Dulux Renovation Range, Rust-Oleum, White Knight Tile & Laminate – but I am reading mixed reviews on which is suitable for a wet area like in a shower.

Almico · Answer

Thanks very much @EricL, I will speak with Dulux to see if there might be a suitable option!

EricL · Answer

Hello @Almico

I've double checked with the Dulux customer service team, and the paint can be applied to tiles and shower bases. I explained your plan with the tile soap dish and they responded below.

"Coating is not suitable for areas that have ponding water, only areas that will drain away. A bath, basin or similar is not designed to channel water continuously like a shower base. The water can be held in the sink for a longer period with the use of a plug. This is a ponded water situation that may last for hours or days with deposit of soap scum and exposure to various stains and chemicals."

Should the drain hole of your soap dish become accidentally covered up with soap scum and residue or the body of the soap itself becomes a temporary plug over the drain hole ponding will occur in the soap dish. They've asked me to provide you with the Floor Tile Paint link and to click on the live chat button on the lower right hand of the page should you wish to get more information about the Dulux Renovation Range tile paint.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Almico · Answer

Thanks @EricL I'm really suprised and disappointed that there are no other colour options for painting my soap holder tile (the retro style soap holder is the look I'm after, not a modern one). On the following video from the Dulux website they show a woman painting the inside of her shower green. Is this false advertising by Dulux if it's not suitable for wet areas?

https://www.dulux.com.au/projects/interior-projects/bathroom/bathroom-tiles/?srsltid=AfmBOopUKN3k3LvUH3BJlsmnRvWI9yr2qub5v4_GVxgw_t1tWAmn_REF