As a homeowner, maintaining the integrity of your bathroom fixtures is very important. The steam from many showers and the constant use that your bathroom endures can lead to mildew and hard water stains, as well as general wear and tear. No one wants to try to take a nice relaxing bath in a stained and scratched bath tub. If your old scratched-up tub has seen better days, refinishing a bathtub on your own can be a great weekend project.
- Rubber gloves
- Mask
- Metal scraper
- Degreaser
- Cleaner
- Sandpaper
- Bathtub paint
- Paint sprayer
- Painters tape
- Caulk
- Caulking gun
Start by thoroughly cleaning the tub. This may be an enticing step to skip, but it is very important to remove any of the remaining grime and dirt. Scrub out the tub with a strong and abrasive cleaner. Look for any product that is meant to remove lime scale and mildew. You can also use an abrasive scrubbing pad to help do the job. Also, make sure your remove any anti-slip decals on the bottom of the tub. Then remove any residue that they may have left behind. Also, remove any caulking around the tub. Many bathtub refinishing kits come with a degreasing agent that will get rid of tough residue.
Sand all surfaces of the bathtub. Sanding the tub will roughen up the surface and allow paint to adhere more securely. It will also scrape off any dirt or stains that have been left after cleaning. The cleaner itself may have also left behind a residue or haze. The sanding process will help remove this before painting. When you are done sanding, rinse the tub thoroughly to get rid of any dust that is left from sanding. Wait for the tub to dry completely.
When the tub is dry, use painter's tape and paper to seal off any areas of the surrounding wall and tile that will not be painted. This will protect these areas from inadvertently being splashed with paint.
The dry tub is ready for a base coat. This specialty paint can be found at home improvement stores. Check the safety warnings and instructions before applying the coat. Different types and brands may have different application methods. These products almost always contain noxious fumes. Make sure you have the proper safety equipment to protect your skin and lungs. Gloves and a mask are recommended and even a respirator may be a good idea. Apply a thin base coat with a paint brush or use a spray gun for a more even finish.
Wait at least 30 minutes for the base coat to set and dry. Check the label to see if you should wait even longer. Now apply a top coat with the sprayer. The spray gun makes a tremendous difference and eliminates the brush strokes that may remain from a regular paint brush. Make sure that all areas are properly coated and let the paint dry.
When the paint is completely dry, remove the tape and paper. Then use a caulking gun to replace any caulking around the tub. Allow the caulk adequate time to dry.
