How to Refinish Bathtubs & Showers
Between constant use and the chemicals from cleaning products, it is inevitable that your bathtub and showers walls will lose their luster over time. Although tubs and shower walls are made of different materials, the majority are ceramic. Replacing your ceramic bathtub and tiles in your shower walls is one option, but it's also an expensive solution. A real plus is that you can do these projects yourself with relative ease. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ammonia product
- Sandpaper
- Brush
- Cloth
- Ceramic paint
- Ceramic primer
- Steel wool
- Epoxy
- Polyester filler
- Sponge
- Paint roller
- Ceramic sealer
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Instructions
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Shower Tile
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1
Clean the tile and grout in your shower with an ammonia cleaner and water. Rinse the tile with clear water. Allow the shower walls to dry.
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2
Sand the tile with fine-grain sandpaper. Remove the dirt and dust from the sanding with a brush or cloth.
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3
Apply a ceramic primer to the tile with a brush. Allow the primer to dry and apply another coat. Allow the primer to dry.
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4
Spray on multiple coats of a paint made for ceramic tile. Give time for the paint to dry between each coat.
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5
Let the painted tile cure for at least 48 hours.
Bathtubs
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6
Remove any pieces of flaking or chipped paint with steel wool. Sand over the areas where the paint was removed with a fine-grade sandpaper.
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7
Apply epoxy to the areas you just sanded.
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8
Cover (or fill in) the areas where paint was chipped or cracked with polyester filler. Allow the filler to dry for an hour. Lightly sand over the areas where you applied the filler until the surface is smooth.
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9
Clean the tub thoroughly. Remove all dirt and debris. Sponge down the surface of the tub with water. Rinse out the tub with clear water and allow it to dry.
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10
Spray a coat of ceramic paint primer on the tub. Allow the primer to dry.
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11
Apply ceramic paint to the bathtub by spraying or using a paint roller. Apply the paint in even and long passes. Apply a second coat of paint after the first coat has dried.
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12
Seal the surface of your tub with a ceramic sealer. Allow the bathtub to dry and cure for 48 hours.
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1
Tips & Warnings
It is a great idea to do this project right before you go on vacation.
Keep your bathroom well-ventilated when working with the paint and primers. Wear a painter's mask to avoid breathing in fumes.
