How to Refinish a Shower & Tub

Bathing in a dirty bathtub or shower can leave you with the lingering feeling that you are not completely clean. Unfortunately, the more you clean a tub or shower walls, the quicker they lose their luster. Shower tiles and bathtubs lose their shiny appearance because of chemicals in cleaning products and natural wear and tear. You can refinish your tub and shower yourself. Keep in mind this project will require some time, patience and elbow grease.

Things You'll Need

• Bathroom cleaner
• Sponge
• Water
• Steel wool
• Epoxy
• Sandpaper
• Polyester filler
• Ceramic primer
• Ceramic paint
• Ceramic sealer
• Ammonia cleaner

Instructions

Bathtubs

1. Scrub your tub thoroughly with a bathroom cleaning product, sponge and water. Rinse well and allow your tub to dry.

2. Rub off any pieces of chipped or peeling paint with steel wool. Sand over these areas with a fine-grit sandpaper.

3. Apply epoxy to the sanded areas.

4. Fill in any areas that had chipped paint with polyester filler. Allow the filler to dry. Gently sand over the filler until it is smooth to the touch.

5. Remove all debris from the tub. Scrub the tub with warm water and a sponge. Rinse out the tub with water. Allow the tub to dry.

6. Spray a layer of ceramic paint primer on the tub. (See references for examples of various ceramic primers, paints and sealers). Allow the primer to dry.

7. Spray a ceramic paint on the tub. Spray on a second coat of paint after the first coat has dried.

8. Apply at least two coats of a ceramic sealer to the tub. Follow the instructions for the recommended drying time between each coat.

Shower Walls

1. Scrub the tile and the grout with a sponge, water, and a cleaner containing ammonia. A solution consisting of 1 part baking soda mixed with 3 parts water will clean bathroom tiles as well. You can also clean the tile with a little dish washing detergent and bleach mixed with water.

2. Rinse the tile and grout with water. Give the showers walls plenty of time to completely dry. The grout will need more time to dry than the tiles.

3. Sand the tile with a fine-grit sandpaper. Brush off all the dust and debris from the walls.

4. Spray (or brush on) a ceramic primer to the tile and the grout. Allow the primer to dry and apply another coat. Check to be sure the primer is also on the grout.

5. Spray the tile with multiple coats of ceramic paint. Allow the recommended drying time between each coat.

6. Apply several coats of a ceramic sealer to the tile. Allow the sealer to dry between each coat.

Tips & Warnings

• It is best to clean a few tiles at a time. This makes the project go slower, but ensures you are doing the job right. You don't want to trap any dirt under the paint and sealant.

• Do not use your shower or tub for at least two days after completing this project. The surface of the shower and tub need time to dry and cure. Wear rubber gloves when working with ceramic primer and paint. Avoid breathing in any fumes from the primer and paint. Keep your bathroom ventilated by opening the window and sucking the fumes out with a window fan. Always make sure the tub and shower walls are dry. You don't want to trap any moisture under the paint and sealer.

References

• Bathtub Refinishing Referral Network: Do It Yourself
• Repair Home: Don't Neglect Your Bathroom
• Super Home Ideas: How to Repair or Resurface Bathtubs and Sinks

Resources

• Online Tips: How to Seal Tile Grout
• Thrifty Fun: Painting a Bathtub
• Target Woman: Bath Tub Restoration