How To Paint A Bathtub: An Easy, Inexpensive Bathroom Update

Learn how to paint a bathtub with this step-by-step guide. See how we refinished an old cast iron tub in one of our flip houses on a budget.

Painting a bathtub is one way we have saved money when updating bathrooms in our flip houses. When we bought this house, it had an old yellow cast iron bathtub that immediately made the bathroom feel dated.

The tub itself was in good shape. The problem was the color.

We could have removed and replaced the bathtub, but a heavy cast iron tub isn’t something you casually decide to haul out of a house. There was also no reason to replace a perfectly good bathtub just because we didn’t like how it looked.

So, we decided to paint it.

This ended up being a much easier and less expensive bathroom update than replacing the tub, and it made a huge difference in the finished bathroom.

We’ve painted more than one bathtub in our flip houses over the years, so this isn’t a project we tried once and hoped for the best. We’ve learned that the most important part of painting a bathtub is the preparation.

If you have an old, dated bathtub that is still in good condition, bathtub refinishing can be an option worth considering before you decide to replace it.

Can You Paint a Bathtub?

Yes, you can paint a bathtub, but you cannot use regular wall paint.

A bathtub needs a coating specifically designed for the type of surface you are painting and for an environment that is exposed to water and regular cleaning.

For our flip house bathtub, we used a tub and tile refinishing kit. The product you choose will determine which surfaces it can be used on, how you prepare the tub, how many coats you apply and how long you need to wait before using it.

Always read the current instructions for the product you purchase before starting your project.

The good news is that painting a bathtub can completely change the look of a bathroom without replacing the tub.

That was exactly what we needed in this flip house.

Why We Decided to Paint the Bathtub

When you’re flipping a house, every project must make sense.

We aren’t interested in replacing things just because they’re old if they are still functional and can be updated in another way.

This bathtub was a perfect example.

It was a yellow cast iron tub. It wasn’t broken. It wasn’t falling apart. It was just very, very yellow.

And the yellow wasn’t exactly helping our bathroom makeover.

Instead of spending the money and time to remove it, we decided to refinish the bathtub and give it a fresh finish.

My dad had also painted bathtubs in some of his flip houses, so I had seen firsthand that this was something that could work.

After this flip, we painted another tub in another flip, too.

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How To Paint A Bathtub – Supply List

• Tub and tile refinishing kit
• Comet cleaner
• Scour pads
• Lime cleaner
• 400-grit sandpaper
• Painter’s tape
• Paint roller
• Paint brush
• Plastic sheeting
• Gloves
• Appropriate respiratory protection
• Good ventilation

Your supplies may be different depending on the refinishing product you use, so use the manufacturer’s instructions as your final supply list.

The important thing is to have everything ready before you start. Once you are working with a bathtub refinishing coating, you don’t want to stop halfway through because you forgot something.

 

How to Prepare a Bathtub for Painting

If you are wondering how to paint a bathtub, don’t skip this part.

The prep work is probably the most important part of the entire project.

It is tempting to clean the tub quickly, grab your paint, and start painting.

Don’t.

A bathtub has years of soap, dirt, mineral deposits, and other buildup on it. The new coating needs a properly prepared surface.

Clean the Bathtub Thoroughly

We started by scrubbing the entire bathtub with Comet and scrub pads.

We wanted to remove all of the dirt and buildup before doing anything else.

This is not the time for a quick wipe-down.

Really clean the entire surface, including the areas around the drain and fixtures.

Remove Lime and Mineral Buildup

Our bathtub also had lime and mineral buildup, so we used a lime cleaner to tackle those areas.

If you have hard-water stains or mineral deposits on your tub, take care of them before you start sanding.

The surface needs to be as clean as possible before you move on to the next step.

Sand the Bathtub

After cleaning, we let the bathtub dry completely and sand the entire surface with 400-grit sandpaper.

The goal is not to remove the bathtub’s existing finish.

You are preparing the surface for the new coating.

Make sure you follow the preparation instructions for the refinishing product you are using because different products can have different requirements.

Remove the Dust

After sanding, you need to remove all of the dust from the surface.

We used a damp cloth/tack cloth to clean the bathtub after sanding.

The surface needs to be clean and dry before you begin applying the coating.

This is one of those boring steps that doesn’t look like it’s accomplishing much, but it matters.

How to Paint a Bathtub

Once your bathtub is completely clean, dry, and prepared, you can start applying the refinishing coating.

Protect Everything Around the Bathtub

Use painter’s tape to protect the walls, floor, fixtures, and anything else around the bathtub.

We also covered the surrounding areas with plastic.

You will be very happy you did this when you get to the painting part.

Make Sure the Bathroom Is Well Ventilated

This is an important part of any bathtub refinishing project.

The products used for refinishing can have strong fumes, so make sure you have appropriate ventilation and follow all safety instructions on the product you are using.

Open windows when possible and use fans as directed.

Wear the personal protective equipment recommended by the manufacturer.

And please don’t skip the safety information just because you are excited to get to the fun part.

Prepare Your Bathtub Coating

We used a Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit for this project.

If the product you purchase requires multiple components to be mixed together, follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly.

Don’t guess at mixing ratios or changing the manufacturer’s process.

This is one area where the product instructions win over anything you read on a blog, including this one.

Apply the First Coat

We used both a paint brush and roller when we painted our bathtub.

I preferred the brush because I felt like I had more control over the application.

The coating is thinner than regular paint, so you need to pay attention as you work.

Apply an even coat and watch for drips and runs.

Don’t try to pile on a thick coat because you want to cover the original color in one pass.

Thin, even coats are the way to go.

Let the First Coat Dry

Follow the recoat time listed in the instructions for your specific product.

Do not assume that the drying time from another bathtub paint or an older version of the product is still correct.

For example, current Rust-Oleum guidance recommends allowing the first coat to dry for 1–2 hours before applying a second light coat.

Apply the Next Coat

Once the first coat is ready for recoating, apply the next coat.

Continue to watch for drips and runs as you work.

The number of coats you need will depend on the color and condition of your original bathtub and the product you are using.

We’ve had bathtubs in our flip houses that needed two coats and another that needed three.

If you can still see the original color coming through, you probably need another coat.

How Many Coats Do You Need When Painting a Bathtub?

There isn’t one magic number of coats that works for every bathtub.

For our flip houses, we’ve had tubs that looked good after two coats and another that needed three.

The condition of the original surface and the color you are covering will make a difference.

Instead of focusing on a specific number, focus on getting an even finish with complete coverage.

And always follow the manufacturer’s recommended application and recoat instructions.

How Long Does It Take to Paint a Bathtub?

The actual work of painting the bathtub didn’t take us very long.

This project took us just under three hours.

The cleaning, sanding, and preparation are a big part of that time.

Then you have to wait between coats and, most importantly, wait for the coating to fully cure before the bathtub is exposed to water.

This is where I would tell you to be patient.

Dry and fully cured are not the same thing.

The cure time depends on the product you use.

For example, current Rust-Oleum instructions say to allow the coating to cure for three days before exposing it to water.

Always follow the cure time listed by the manufacturer of the product you are using.

Even if the surface feels dry, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is ready for normal bathtub use.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Bathtub?

When we completed this project in our flip house, we spent less than $50 to paint the bathtub.

Obviously, product prices change over time, so your cost may be different.

But this was still significantly less expensive than replacing the bathtub and dealing with all the work that would have come with removing the existing cast iron tub.

That’s one of the reasons I love projects like this when we are flipping houses.

We aren’t trying to make every room brand new.

We’re trying to make smart decisions about where our money will make the biggest difference.

Tips for Painting a Bathtub

After painting multiple bathtubs in our flip houses, these are the things I would keep in mind.

Don’t rush the prep.

Seriously.

Clean the bathtub thoroughly and follow the manufacturer’s preparation instructions.

Sand the entire surface.

Don’t just sand the areas that look bad.

Prepare the entire area you are going to coat.

Use the right product.

Regular paint isn’t going to give you the same type of finish or durability as a product designed for bathtub refinishing.

Apply thin, even coats.

Don’t try to cover everything with one giant coat of product.

Watch for drips.

Because bathtub refinishing coatings can be thinner than regular paint, keep checking your work as you go.

Ventilate the room.

Follow the product’s ventilation and PPE requirements.

Let it cure.

This is probably the hardest part because once the bathroom looks finished, you want to use it.

Don’t.

Wait until the manufacturer’s recommended cure time has passed before exposing the surface to water.

Be gentle when cleaning the finished tub.

Once you’ve refinished the bathtub, avoid abrasive cleaners and scrubbers that can damage the new finish.

Use the cleaning products and methods recommended for your particular coating.

Does a Painted Bathtub Hold Up?

We’ve painted multiple bathtubs in our flip houses, and our experience has been good when the bathtub is properly prepared and the product is applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

But I don’t want to make it sound like painting a bathtub is the same thing as installing a brand-new tub.

It isn’t.

The finished surface needs to be treated appropriately and cleaned without harsh abrasives.

The quality of the preparation also makes a huge difference.

For us, though, it has been a great way to update a bathtub that was still perfectly functional.

If you would like to see this project done in real time, head over to my YouTube Channel HERE. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE when you are there. I am uploading new videos every week! 

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