What to Do when you Need to Paint Acrylic Tubs

Many people consider refinishing and painting acrylic bathtubs to be a cost effective alternative to buying a brand new tub or liner. Many people avoid this kind of work, but it is a lot easier than you may think and could take only a single afternoon to finish. It should only be avoided if your tub is in very bad shape and has a lot of rust. In order to get started you only need a few tools including a low pressure spray gun, face mask, palm sander, sandpaper, masking tape, epoxy paint, paper, and a chemical cleaner.

Before you can paint acrylic tubs there are a few things you have to do in order to prepare. First, use a chemical cleaning agent to give your tub a good scrub down. After you have finished rinse the tub off with clean water and wipe it down with a fresh cloth until it is dry. The next step is to sand the tub with a palm sander. Nobody really looks forward to this part of the job, but it is important because it will make painting acrylic bathtubs much easier. Finally, you should cover up any areas that you will not be painting by taping paper over them.

In most cases when you paint acrylic tubs, sinks, and countertops you will want to use an acrylic polymer coating because it offers a finish that will be both durable and strong. You have a wide selection of colors available to choose from as well so you will easily be able to find one that matches the tub’s original color. Or if you prefer you can find a color that better matches the décor of your bathroom. You may also want to use a polymer with a satin finish if you are going to do your cabinets as well.

When you paint acrylic tubs, it is important to follow the directions on the packaging of your primer to make sure you do everything correctly. Afterward you can pour your paint into the spray gun’s pot and then hook it back up to the gun. Before you begin, try out the gun on a piece of paper, cardboard, or plywood to test it out and make sure it is in proper working order. You can now begin spraying the paint on your tub in a gentle back and forth motion. Release the trigger whenever you reach the edge to avoid over doing things.

It can be time consuming, but when painting acrylic bathtubs you should do two counts of primer paint followed by 3 coats of top coating. Be sure to give it enough time to dry between each coat, which can take up to half an hour. After you have finished, allow it 2 to 3 days to cure before using your bathtub again.