OK all you home improvement gurus...have you ever

[mrsv98]

painted a bathtub? Our main bath is a lovely 1970's harvest gold, tub, toilet, tiles, the works. I don't have the budget to redo the bath as I want so as a stop-gap, I am thinking of painting the tub and surrounding tile white. I could then at least paint the walls and add some new accessories to brighten it up. Any experience with this type of project? TIA!

 

[dandave]

I never have. I had considered having a tub refinished before we sold our last house, but my realtor talked me out of it. I would think that just painting it wouldn't work.

 

[tnkrbell]

No I havent But.. I dont think I would. Those colors are comming back big time!!!!!!!
Harvest gold,avacado green ect.......
I would go and look for stuff to update what you have. You may be surprised at how cute it could look with a new shower curtain,towels and some cute accesories!! Green goes great with that yellow.
Also maybe change towel racks ect.. try some chrome! Good luck!!

 

[dennis99ss]

Painting it is difficult. The paint will flake, peel off the tile, etc. The problem is that you are painting a porcelin (?) surface, which does not take to paint to well. However, that being said, I believe there are some paints that can be used, although I don't know of them off hand. Try a Home Depot, plumbing/bath supply house, or paint store.

There may be some type of stain that is available, but, once you paint over the grout, it will be extremely hard to clean, as the acid wash would probably take the paint off as well.

I have never done it, but, have seen the results in some places that have. They were not very good things to look at.

You may want to pull the tile down, and relay tile of your choice. A job, but not all that difficult once you get the hang of it.

 

[tnkrbell]

Oh I have another idea!
You could do a faux finish on your walls!! I have seen alot with gold tones that look GREAT!! If I can find a pic I will post it for you!! I LOVE to decorate!!!!

 

[WillyJ]

I've never painted a bathtub before, but I'm sure what you'll need is an epoxy. . . and it is an expensive and hard to work with material. . .

Try a couple paint stores first, and if you don't have any luck try a plumbling supply store. . . epoxy usually comes in two seperate components you have to mix, and it drys really fast so just mix up a little at a time- and wear old clothes because once it gets on something, it's there for good!!!

Good luck with it. .

 

[GeorgeG]

I've never done it, but I do recall seeing it done on one of the home improvement TV shows a number of years ago. I'm pretty sure it was a special paint for ceramics and possibly some sort of sealer.

 

[mamajoan]

Hi.. In our old house we had the tub and the shower stall floor both refinished by a professional... and it was worth every dime we spent. I do not suggest tackling a project like this on your own. If I remember correctly the smell of the chemicals they used was horrid. I remember the guy had to wear goggles and face mask. We enjoyed the new finish and it was much cheaper than putting in a new shower base and a new tub. The originals were in good shape even tho they were 30 years old.
Good Luck!

 

[jipsy]

If your tub is porcelain or cast iron, you should look for someone in your area who can reglaze it.

You can also find someone who does bathtub liners - they put a completely new acrylic bathtub over your old one.

Either way you can pretty much have any color you want.

Don't just paint your tub - it won't last long, and the old color will bleed through and the paint will peel and float in your bathwater.

See a site like this:

http://www.bathtub-refinishing.com/

also go to www.google.com and search for bathtub remodel.

 

[mrsv98]

Thanks everyone, I knew that I had to use a special paint, I just hoped it wouldn't be too difficult. I think I will look for a professional to do it, as I can't STAND that color! LOL (sorry tnkrbell ) I definitely wan't to keep the tub, it is one of those nice cast iron ones, not the flimsier (at least to me) fiberglass models, plus I think it would be a fortune to have it removed. I can take out the tile myself and relay new stuff, I have done that a bunch, backsplashes and such, I am just looking for the most cost effective way. That reminds me, I have to check the FL lottery from last night, we bought 6 months worth of tickets on our way home last month. Maybe we are millionaires and I can have the bathroom done after all!