Paint the Bathtub
Bathtubs can become discolored with age. Fiberglass tubs get scratched and yellowed, and cast-iron tubs get chipped and rusty. Whether you have a fiberglass or cast-iron bathtub, you can save money by painting a tub instead of purchasing a brand new one.
Contents
Steps
- Prepare to paint a bathtub by cutting away old caulk with a putty knife and removing the drain cover.
- Protect areas that you don't want to ruin when painting a tub. These areas might include the faucets or the tile around the tub. Use painter's tape and masking paper to protect the walls and cover the floor with a drop cloth.
- Put on rubber gloves and safety glasses.
- Refinish a fiberglass or porcelain tub by scrubbing it with a heavy-duty cleaner, such as trisodium phosphate, and a course brush.
- Rinse the tub out with cold water.
- Allow the tub to dry.
- Scrub the tub with 150-grit sandpaper until it feels gritty. Wipe out the tube with a tack cloth.
- Paint fiberglass bathtubs with acrylic latex spray paint.
- Hold the can about 8 inches (20.32 cm) from the tub while spraying.
- Move the can slowly from side to side while painting a tub to get an even coat of paint.
- Allow the latex paint to dry for 6 hours.
- Cover the fiberglass tub with appliance epoxy spray paint, using the same method as you did with the latex paint. Wait at least 8 hours before utilizing the bathtub.
Paint Cast-Iron Bathtubs
- Wipe an alkaline emulsifier on the surface before you paint a bathtub made of cast-iron.
- Apply an acid-based citric cleanser that will neutralize the emulsifier.
- Rinse and dry the tub. Rub it clean with denatured alcohol applied to a rag.
- Trowel fiberglass putty into chips and scratches. When the fiberglass hardens, sand it with 36-grit paper and then smooth it out with 80-grit sandpaper.
- Wipe everything down with a tack cloth. You can spray paint a bathtub made with cast iron by using an oil-based, rust-resistant primer on to the surface. The primer will ensure that the paint will adhere and prevent the tub from rusting.
- Let the first coat dry for 4 hours when painting a tub.
- Repeat the wet sanding and wipe the tub clean.
- Paint a bathtub with spray on oil-based enamel in your desired color. Let the paint dry completely.
- Use a wet piece of 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper. Sand the surface of the tub gently until it feels smooth.
- Apply a second coat of enamel when painting a tub to ensure a professional look.
Tips
- Some epoxy paint manufacturers advise you to wait 5 days before you use your bathtub.
Warnings
- Check the directions on the paint and cleaners you use when you paint a bathtub. Some companies will suggest that you to wear a face mask.
Things You'll Need
- Putty knife
- Painter's tape
- Masking paper
- Drop clothes
- Rubber gloves
- Safety glasses
- Heavy duty cleaner, such as Trisodium phosphate
- Course brush
- Cold water
- 150-grit sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Acrylic latex spray paint
- Alkaline emulsifier
- Acid-based citric cleaner
- Denatured alcohol
- Rag
- Trowel
- Fiberglass putty
- 80-grit sandpaper
- 36-grit sandpaper
- Oil-based, rust resistant primer
- Oil-based enamel
- 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper
