A lot of proud homeowners like to be hands-on and do their own repairs around the house rather than hiring professional help or simply replacing the old with the new.
One place that offers a lot of room for improvement is the bathroom and specifically, the bathtub. Depending on the type, they might get chipped or damaged in time so this is where you can jump in and fix it by following these several easy tips using epoxy acrylic paint for tubs.
First, can you paint a bathtub?
The quick answer is: Yes!
Repainting your bathtub is sensitive work and it’s something you’ll want to last a while, so there are a few things to consider before you start. Firstly, the type of paint you choose and the preparation you do will have a significant impact on the quality of work.
One of the keys to success here is prepping the tub surface. Next, really consider the difficulty and scope of work to be absolutely sure you can do it yourself. And lastly, be prepared for the final results that might not be entirely perfect, so somewhere along the way, a complete bathtub replacement may be required.
What kind of paint to use on bathtub
The first step is choosing the appropriate tub paint.
There are many products and manufacturers that offer paints specifically designed for bathtubs. What comes highly recommended is one or two-part epoxy paint done in two layers as any leftovers will not be reusable.
Spray can epoxy paint is also available and it can give you a smoother surface, but the downside is, if you’re not very precise and some of the spray paint ends up behind or under the masking sheets, it will be extremely difficult to remove it.
What is highly important here is never to use any kind of regular paint that is not designed for bathtubs as they are not water-resistant and will not withstand the constant water pressure.
Bathtub paint kits on Amazon
Renotub is a durable two-part modified acrylic isocyanate free coating specially formulated and designed to provide excellent adhesion, durability and colour retention in high moisture areas. It is ideal for use to renew cast iron, steel, enamel, ceramic porcelain, fiberglass, bathtubs, toilets, bidets and sinks. It is not for use on galvanized steel or flexible plastic.
How to paint a bathtub: the process
Before you start painting your bathtub, be sure to read the instructions for your chosen paint.
Hopefully, its premium epoxy paint will make your work easier and give an excellent outcome. You’ll need to mix two-part paint into one container, which is not required if you have the one-part paint.
Next, your tub needs to be prepped, so clean it thoroughly with water and soap. Remove the faucet handles, trims and the water spout. It’s also useful to remove the shower door as it’s one less thing to cover with masking sheets. You might also need to sand the tub with 200 to 600 grit sandpaper and clean it carefully with TSP.
Your next step is masking the areas that will not be painted, such as the tub edge and the drain. Then you begin painting using a small paintbrush for the edges and a larger brush or the roller for bigger surfaces.
Two coats of paint will be necessary and the drying time will depend on the type of paint you use. Wait until the recommended drying time passes before you apply the second coat and during this period, store the paint and brushes according to the instructions.
After the second coat of paint has dried, you can remove the masking and reattach all the parts you have previously removed, such as the faucets, drain and shower doors.
One thing to pay special attention to is the paint instructions for the recommended wait period for using the tub after it has been refurbished, so you don’t ruin the job well done.
All in all, this kind of DIY endeavour is very doable and manageable, as long as you understand that it will not last forever and that at some point, you’ll need to re-paint the bathtub again and, eventually, even replace it.
Until then, you’ll see that repainting is a perfectly acceptable alternative.
Bathtub epoxy paint reviews