Have you decided to use the Homax Tough for tiling or refinishing your tub?
Generally, it provides a protective and hard finish to refinish tiles on different surfaces such as tiles, sinks, and bathtubs. Knowing the Homax Tough as tile problems can help you decide whether you should use it in your household or not.
Though Homax Tough is an incredibly affordable option to provide a refinishing coating, users have complaints about some common things about this product. In this article, we will mention the common problems people face and how to fix them.
Let’s begin!
An Overview of Homax Tough As Tile
Before diving into what can go wrong, let’s look at what the product is supposed to do:
- One-part epoxy acrylic formula bonds to many surfaces
- Creates a glossy, waterproof finish
- Resists staining, scratches and moisture damage
- Available in white or almond tones
- Covers up to 100 sq ft per kit
- Can be applied with brush, roller or sprayer
When used properly on compatible surfaces, Tough As Tile lives up to its name and provides a durable, tile-like finish. But several factors can cause the application to underperform or fail.
Problems Regarding Homax Tough As Tile
Customers have mentioned a lot of problems while using them. Here are some of them.
- Long Curing Time
Since Homax Tough is one type of spray paint, it is mandatory to give enough time for drying and curing.
However, that doesn’t mean they will take so long. Several verified reviewers had to wait at least seven days to make a perfect tiling.
Some had to wait more time to ensure 100% cure of the refined tiled. This is really inconvenient when you are in a hurry or don’t have much patience.
- White Dirt Or Residue Build Up
Be careful while using Homax Tough as it often leaves white dirt or residue on the painted surface.
You may struggle to remove the dirt ring even after using a mild detergent. You may have to go for the second coating to remove the residue build-up.
- Takes Long Preparation
Before tiling your desired surface, perfectly preparing the surface is important.
You may have to spend several hours sanding the surface. This will assist you in achieving a smooth surface.
Additionally, it may be necessary to use a primer if you are creating any coating on the stainless steel or metal surfaces.
Also, check out the instruction on whether you need to use anything such as rough and fine steel wool or wet sandpaper.
- Not Compatible With All Surfaces
Before using this Homax Tough, it is always best to know whether the product is suitable to use for your tiling surface.
You can directly contact their customer care to learn its compatibility with the particular surface.
Otherwise, you may end up having a messy, non-glassy, and damaged surface that doesn’t worth the money and time you spend to create the texture.
- Can Be Messy
Homax Tough can be messy to apply if you don’t follow the instruction manual properly. This type of spray paint is prone to float quickly, which can go up to 6 feet through the air.
Thus, it is important to cover all the important items that the Homax Tough can’t touch. Otherwise, you will notice enormous paints residue on the floor and mirror. If not removed on time, you will have to several days to remove them.
- Moisture Issues
Trapped moisture is the most common culprit behind bubbling. If the surface isn’t fully dry before application, vapor can become encapsulated under the paint.
As the moisture evaporates, it forces its way through the coating, creating bubbles.
- Incompatible Materials
Applying Tough As Tile to certain materials like laminate, vinyl, or varnished wood can block vapors from escaping, leading to bubbling. The product can have adhesion issues on non-recommended surfaces.
- Contamination
Soap residue, grease, silicone caulks and other contaminants can interfere with proper bonding if not fully removed prior to painting. This allows moisture underneath to push up through the compromised paint layer.
- Scratches Easy If Not Careful
The coating of Homax Tough is pretty sensitive, and you have to give enough to let them cure. Just because they dry quickly doesn’t mean you will touch them right away.
Touch the surface before proper curing may lead to a huge mess. You will notice a huge mess because of it.
- Strong Smell
Do you have allergies? Or, Can’t you withstand strong smells? If you are too sensitive to a strong smell, you may don’t the scent come out while spraying it.
Wearing a well-guarded mask will be necessary to protect your nose. Plus, you may not come to the painted area for at least 2 hours. Let the spray paint smell go away and then enter the room.
- Dripping Head
Many customers complained that their spray paint has dripping issues even after shaking it properly for several minutes.
The nozzle keeps dropping tiny paint drops even when you are not using it. Thus, you have to be more cautious while spraying the paint. Otherwise, it will ruin the painted surface. You won’t have a consistent result.
- Requires Advanced Skills
It might be possible to achieve a fine tiling surface from many spray paint with some basic spraying skills. But don’t expect this from Homax Tough.
You must have decent knowledge regarding how to spray this paint from beginning to end. Plus, you should not only rely on the instruction manual.
You may need expert help to apply it for tiling perfectly. That’s why many professionals recommended handling this product only by pros.
- Prone To Become Light Yellow Color
Does the surface you want to use have direct sunlight exposure? Then you may want to rethink it before using the Homax Tough.
Generally, this type of product is prone to develop yellow if direct sunlight is exposed.
Solution On Problems Of Homax Tough As Tile
Though the problem people face using Homax Tough for tiling a particular is not uncommon, you can prevent or minimize the issue if you follow some effective solutions.
- Clear The Surface Properly
When it comes to cleaning, we all become lazy. Make sure to remove all Soap, grease, and r silicone-based residue from your desired surface.
Otherwise, these unwanted things will prevent you from achieving a fine and generous coating.
- Stick To The Instruction Manual
Just because you have used spray paint several times in the past doesn’t mean you have become a master of spray paint.
Some crucial details might be there to use the product correctly. Thus, never overlook the information.
- Take Enough Time For Preparation
Hurried things are always given inconvenient results. First, you have to prepare the tiling surface precisely to achieve the finest result.
Using sandpapers, primers, and other additional things might be necessary to ensure nothing is missing.
More importantly, it is crucial to know whether the surface you want to tile is appropriate for the Homax Tough or not. Otherwise, everything will go in vain.
- Don’t Use It If You Are Newbie
Are you applying spray paint for the first time? Then, avoid doing it independently. Homax Tough is more tricky to use than typical spray paints.
You must need a helping hand who has extensive knowledge about painting. Hiring a professional will be more appropriate if you have a decent budget.
- Use A Fan To Cure Faster
One of the most common problems many users complained about is that Homax Tough takes a considerable time to cure. Using a fan can reduce the curing time.
But make sure the paint is properly dried, so nothing will blow away. And the fan speed should be kept low for smooth airflow, which won’t create extra pressure.
How to Prevent Bubbling with Tough As Tile
Follow these tips for a bubble-free Tough As Tile finish:
- Allow surfaces to fully dry 72+ hours after cleaning before painting
- Always check compatibility and avoid using on laminate, vinyl, wood or previously painted surfaces
- Thoroughly remove all grease, soap scum and existing caulks beforehand
- Apply thin, even coats allowing proper drying time between each
- Maintain room temperature between 50-90°F throughout the application process
Catching and troubleshooting the source of bubbling right away improves your chances of a successful Tough As Tile finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can remove Homax Tough from a particular surface using a paint scraper. But first, apply a mixture of paint stripper and sand and apply the paste on the surface where you want to remove the tile layer.
Then use the paint stripper to remove the paint after one hour of drying time.
Generally, they take around 48 hours to become fully dry.
Homax Tough can last for several years if you apply them properly with a perfect finish.
Bubbles in Tough As Tile are usually caused by trapped moisture, painting over incompatible materials, surface contamination, applying too thickly, or extreme temps during application.
A rough Tough As Tile finish can stem from poor surface prep, overly thick application, additives, spray technique issues, or curing disruptions. Proper thin coats and ideal conditions are key for smooth results.
While Tough As Tile dries within hours, it takes 3-5 days before light use, 5-7 days before normal use, and up to 2 weeks to fully cure and achieve maximum durability. Have patience!
Conclusion
Have you decided to purchase after learning about Homax Tough as tile problems? Yes, you can use them when you know the right application method and have enough patience to wait for perfect curing.
Talking with a pro appears to be a better decision if you use it for the first time. This will ensure a better result.
