Cork Wall Tiles Any Hope Of

[brenda]

smartening these up a bit?

Tiles are on a small wall in my kitchen, they have been there 20 years, and I like them.

In the past have wiped them over and varnished them with a light coat of clear varnish

They are now looking very tired indeed , and I realise that they are out dated and completely unfashionable, but so what?

Would I be able to emulsion over them?

Any ideas welcome Thanks Brenda.

[The Builder]

Interesting question, Brenda. First off, water-based paint won't take to a surface sealed with varnish.

You could try priming with PVA, then perhaps emulsion would take. Or, give them a couple of coats of oil-based eggshell or Satinwood.

I'm really only guessing. Some of the others will have a better idea than I. They may be on later.

[Old_Geezer]

If they're that tired looking remove them and stick up some new ones.

[ukbod2015]

Very retro consign them to history

[ummmm]

O-G...have you ever tried to take them off?

[Khandro]

It's a matter of taste I guess, but varnished cork does sound a bit yucky and removal will lead to swirls of adhesive which is difficult to deal with. Builder is right to warn about emulsion paint, and being in a kitchen it might be prone to having picked up some airborne grease as well.
Whatever you do I would first wash it with sugar soap (can you still get it?) or detergent and when dry give it a coat of an oil-based undercoat and paint in a cheerful colour using a roller to avoid brush marks.

[ummmm]

Yes you can get it Khandro.

[tonyav]

brenda, if you decide to remove them it isn't gonna be easy.
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/Removingcork.htm

[melv16]

Get some more cork tiles and tile over them. Wash down the original tiles and give them a coat of PVA first.

[Old_Geezer]

I've taken cork tiles off a floor. Not a big deal. Tends to come off in bits though, and you need to remove the glue too.

[brenda]

Goodness---what a dearth of suggestions and help--thanks all. Have decided will wash them them with detergent, if sugar soap not available, let them dry and then have a splash about with oil based undercoat and then paint with a roller. will let you know the outcome--thanks again all.

[tonyav]

Best of luck, brenda. Hope they turn out alright.

[Canary42]

Sugar soap, as ummmm said, is available - B&Q and Wickes both stock it for example.

[Khandro]

Power to your elbow Brenda!

[Litlmissbuttons]

I would probably make flower pics on them with nail varnish.

[Litlmissbuttons]

You could glue some spices(such as cardomom, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, lemongrass and a bayleaf or two)to them.

[Litlmissbuttons]

How about putting some dried flowers/grasses/tiny fir cones on them? Or even odd buttons/earrings.

[Litlmissbuttons]

If you're really stuck for ideas, you could always get the marker pens out and invite some children to draw pictures on them!

[SirOracle]

If you really like cork tiles brenda then I would go with Melv's suggestion and use new cork tiles over your faded ones.

I once took off cork tiles and it was one hell of a job and the result was not really satisfactory,despite many,many hours of hard labour.