Painting Your Tub Surround is Easier Than You Think

Is your tub surround looking a bit tired and dated? Before you go through the hassle and expense of ripping it out and replacing it, consider giving it a makeover with a fresh coat of paint instead. Painting a tile, acrylic or fiberglass tub surround is much more doable than you may realize. With the right materials and some simple prep, you can easily paint your existing surround for an updated, water-resistant finish that looks brand new.

Read on to learn just how easy and affordable it can be to give your tub surround a fresh new look.

Why Paint a Tub Surround?

There are several great reasons to paint your tub surround instead of replacing it:

• Cost savings - A new tub surround installation can run $1000+ in materials and labor costs. Painting gives a facelift for under $100.
• Instantly update look - Painting offers an immediate transformation to refresh the whole bathroom.
• Hide chips, cracks, stains - Paint camouflages any existing flaws or damage in the tub surround surface.
• Works for tile, acrylic or fiberglass surrounds - Nearly any existing tub surround material can be prepped and painted over.

What Type of Paint to Use

Choosing the right type of paint for your specific surround material is important to achieve proper adhesion and the most durable finish. Here's a guide to picking the best paint for different tub surround surfaces:

For Fiberglass Surrounds

Fiberglass tub surrounds should be painted with a high-quality fiberglass paint formulated specifically to bond well to the slick fiberglass surface. This type of paint can be found at home improvement stores or boating and marine supply shops.

For Acrylic Surrounds

The best paint for acrylic tub surrounds is an epoxy paint. Epoxy paints use a chemical bonding process to adhere extremely well to difficult surfaces like acrylic. The end result is a hard, durable finish that becomes part of the surface.

For Tile Surrounds

Painting a tile tub surround is also possible using either a tub and tile spray paint or a tub and tile formulated roll-on paint. Extra care must be taken when painting tile to avoid getting paint down in the grout lines.

Proper Prep is Key

While choosing the right paint is important, properly prepping your tub surround for painting is even more critical for success. Your prep work will dictate how well the paint bonds to the surface.

Cleaning

Thoroughly cleaning your tub surround first is a must. Use a muriatic acid-based cleaner to etch the surface and remove residue. This step helps the paint better adhere. Be sure to follow safety precautions when working with muriatic acid cleaners.

Rinse surfaces well after cleaning and allow to fully dry before attempting to paint. Check manufacturer instructions based on your surround finish material.

Sanding

Gently sanding your tub surround prior to painting serves several purposes. Light sanding will remove any glossy finish so the paint can grip better. It also allows paint to adhere inside any small cracks or imperfections. Use a fine grit sandpaper and be careful not to overly scuff or scratch your surfaces.

Additional Tips

In addition to thorough cleaning and light sanding:

• Remove any soap scum or hard water deposits
• Kill any existing mildew or mold
• Remove and replace any loose or failing caulk

Addressing these issues beforehand means your paint job will turn out smoother and last longer.

Painting Step-by-Step

Once you've properly prepped your surfaces, you're ready to start applying paint. Follow these steps for best results:

1. Lay down drop cloths in your bathroom and tape off any adjacent surfaces you don't want to get paint on.
2. Use painter's tape and plastic sheeting to carefully cover counters, the rim of your tub, flooring and fixtures.
3. Wipe down all cleaned tub surround surfaces to be painted with a tack cloth to remove any remaining dust.
4. Apply your first coat of primer, following the manufacturer's instructions for application and dry time.
5. Allow the primer coat to fully dry before adding your finish color coat (at least 8 hrs).
6. Apply at least 2 finish coats of your topcoat bathroom paint, allowing thorough drying between coats (usually 8-12 hours). The more coats, the more durable your finished paint job.
7. Let your final coat dry for at least 24 hours before removing painter's tape from adjacent surfaces to avoid pulling up any paint.
8. Re-caulk edges with a flexible, mold-resistant bathroom caulk if needed to avoid moisture issues behind the paint.

Achieving a Flawless Finish

Here are some additional tips to ensure your freshly painted tub surround turns out looking its best:

• Avoid drips by always applying multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat.
• Use high-density foam rollers to smoothly apply your topcoat over large flat areas.
• Don't rush! Quick-drying paints can dry too fast and leave unwanted brush strokes.
• Gently sand areas between coats if needed to remove debris or roughness before adding your next coat.

How Long Does it Last?

If done properly using the right paint and preparation methods for your tub surround material, a freshly painted surround should last upwards of 2-5 years minimum if cared for properly. An epoxy-based paint on acrylic or true fiberglass paint on a fiberglass surround tend to hold up the longest.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some final pointers to get the most out of your tub surround paint project:

• Use quality painter's tape with clean edges to create sharp paint lines and borders.
• Open windows and use exhaust fans during application and drying to ventilate the room.
• Work top to bottom when applying paint. Finish the ceiling first, then upper walls, then lower walls and tub surround last.
• Priming first helps hide small flaws and provides added durability under your color topcoats.

Painting a Ceramic Tile Tub Surround

Ceramic tile tub surrounds can also be painted to create a fresh new look. But it requires a few special considerations:

• Tiles must be thoroughly cleaned and dry before painting
• Apply a tile primer first for maximum paint adhesion
• Use a high-quality acrylic or latex paint designed specifically for use on tile and masonry surfaces
• Carefully cut-in all edges with a small paintbrush before rolling paint onto flat areas
• Allow each coat to dry fully before adding additional coats
• Seal painted tiles once fully cured with a tile and grout sealer to protect from moisture

It's also critical to ensure proper ventilation any time you'll be painting or using strong cleaning chemicals indoors:

• Paint and paint supplies can release potentially hazardous fumes and dusts
• Open windows and use exhaust fans during all stages of the prep and painting process
• Consider wearing a protective face mask to prevent inhaling vapors
• Keep small children and pets out of the room while working until paint is fully cured

Putting in place appropriate safeguards makes for a healthier painting experience.

As you can see, with the right approach, materials and a bit of elbow grease, painting a dingy old tub surround into a like-new showpiece is totally achievable as a DIY project. We hope these tips give you the confidence to add this easy, affordable upgrade to your own bathroom renovation checklist. Before you know it, you'll be enjoying a beautiful new tub surround - without the headaches or expense of a full replacement.