Bathtub made of plastic are often durable and easy to paint.
The gloss and lustre of your plastic bathtub will eventually deteriorate from soap accumulation, hard water, and other residues, making it look dirty, dull, and worn out.
While replacing your tub might be tempting, the process is time- and money-consuming.
A plastic bathtub can be painted to help repurpose or update it.
Painting a bathtub can give it a new sense of hygiene since, over time, it accumulates oils that our bodies naturally release.
Alternately, paint it a certain colour to give your bathroom a brighter, more tranquil atmosphere.
I’ll cover how to paint a plastic bathtub in this article with the best techniques, time requirements, recommended colours, and other information.
Best Ways to Paint a Plastic Bathtub:
Painting your bathtub is a really useful alternative, but it calls for specialised paint.
You cannot simply use the paints that are still in your cellar or storage shed after completing prior DIY projects.
Since you know your bathtub will be mostly filled with water, you’ll need water-resistant paint to prevent peeling.
Unfortunately, ordinary paint won’t be able to accomplish this.
Purchase a particular kit designed for refinishing plastic tubs, which will include water-resistant paint to use, or look for a water-resistant paint of your choosing as a solution.
These are typically available at your neighbourhood hardware store, supply store, or online retailer.
You can locate a tub refinishing kit on the market that will work for you because there are many different refurbishing kits accessible.
These kits contain a variety of components that are compatible with the material of your bathtub.
The ultimate objective is to forge a strong attachment to the current finish, but you can choose which steps to take.
For plastic and fibreglass, epoxy is advised; another choice is acrylic enamel. Do your research to determine what fits your budget.
Additionally, when utilised, every refinishing kit will release dangerous fumes, so take the necessary precautions before undertaking this painting project on your own.
Using a Restoration Kit to Paint a Bathtub:
As was already indicated, using a pre-made kit will nearly always be necessary to change the paint colour of your plastic bathtub.
These kits are available at your neighbourhood hardware shop or internet retailers, include a chemical ingredient that will restore the finish of your bathtub.
A finishing kit typically contains the following items:
- Refinishing paint in quantities of 8 to 16 ounces.
- It’s a liquid primer.
- Cleaner for etching hardeners
- Sandpaper and a rag
- Rolling trays
- Anti-slip substance
- Sponge brush
Steps to Take Before Painting Your Bathtub:
It is strongly advised that you put on a vented mask and keep the area you are working in well-aired before starting this job.
You must take these safety measures since the paint emits poisonous vapours.
Additionally, make sure to fully clean and properly sand your plastic bathtub because doing so will help you avoid having to repaint, which will ultimately save you a lot of time and money.
Time Required to Paint a Plastic Bathtub:
After spending about 4 hours stripping the old bathtub’s finish, painting a plastic bathtub can take one to two days for the paint to fully cure.
Remember that the more time you spend sanding and cleaning the current surface before painting it, the better the paint will last.
10 Easy Steps to Paint a Plastic Bathtub:
You’re ready to paint your old bathtub and transform it into an entirely new bathroom fixture once you know what the best paint to use on it is and what safety measures to take.
Let’s walk through the procedure for this project step by step:
1. Use your usual cleaner to remove dirt, grease, and soap scum from the surface of your plastic bathtub paint.
2. Scuff-sand the surface with 200-grit sandpaper to improve paint adhesion. Sand until all of the sandpaper is gone. After that, wash the sand dust from your tub with warm water to remove it. Don’t rush the drying process.
3. Fill holes, cracks, and dents with epoxy filler, and then use a putty knife to smooth them out. Give the epoxy 24 hours to dry.
4. To keep the primer from touching adjacent knobs, tiles, and other fixtures, use paper tape.
5. If you’re using paints designed to stick to plastics, you can skip priming the surface. because you don’t need to sand or prime the plastic surface using their super bond solutions.
6. The final step before painting is to apply a priming or bonding agent. To get a great finish, this will be essential. Before applying your selected colour, give the primer at least 2 to 3 hours to dry.
7. Pour a third of the paint into a plastic paint tray once it has been thoroughly mixed and shaken. Make sure to adhere to all mixing directions.
8. Use a brush to apply the paint in hard-to-reach places. This applies to fittings’ fittings, corners, and drains.
9. Utilizing a roller, paint the remaining areas of your bathtub. Apply three coats, allowing each to dry for one to two hours in between.
10. Take off the paper tape, then let your tub air dry. Use your newly renovated tub after two full days have passed for it to thoroughly dry out.
Also read: Can You Store Paint Outside?
FAQ- Can You Paint a Plastic Bathtub:
Q1. What type of paint sticks to plastic?
When applied over plastic, standard exterior gloss paint looks good when combined with the right undercoat and primer.
Both acrylic and oil-based glosses are available in a variety of colours.
The most common application techniques are brush, roller, and spray.
Q2. How do you paint a mobile home’s plastic bathtub?
We must sand the tub in order to paint it.
You should receive the appropriate sandpaper in your refinishing package for roughening up the surface.
If you didn’t get a refurbishing kit, 120 grit will do.
Sanding the surface gives the tub a solid grip, which helps the paint adhere.
Q3. Is it possible to change the colour of a plastic bath?
Fortunately, you may change the colour of your bathroom tub by applying a new layer of paint.
Regardless matter whether the tub is made of porcelain, fibreglass, or acrylic, the technique for altering the colour is largely the same.
However, you must get the proper refinishing supplies for the task.
Also read: How To Paint a Bathroom?
Conclusion:
The good news is that your plastic bathtub can absolutely be painted.
Many people have discovered that painting plastic bathtubs at home can help breathe new life into an old bathtub after paint.
This is a terrific way to cover over stains from the past and give your bathroom a new look.
But you must be careful to follow each step precisely, beginning with correctly cleaning and sanding the surface before applying primer.
Additionally, make sure that all three coats of paint are applied evenly, and let the tub completely dry before using it.
