How to Renew a Shower With Epoxy Paint

Remove Hardware

Remove metal drains and hardware, using the necessary screwdrivers and plumbing tools. Faucets do not need to be removed, but escutcheon plates and cover plates should be removed, and tub spouts should be removed to provide access to all surfaces.

Clean and Repair the Surfaces

Remove loose paint and rust with a wire brush or sandpaper. If any damage is present, repair any chips and cracks with a patching compound appropriate to the wall material, such as Liquid Steel or Bondo.

Remove any dirty or stained surfaces with an abrasive powdered cleanser and scrubbing sponge. Rinse with clean water and allow the surfaces to dry completely.

Scrub the surface with an abrasive pad and a mineral-dissolving product such as Lime-A-Way. Rinse the surfaces, and repeat with a second scrubbing if necessary.

Use a utility knife and putty knife or paint scraper to remove all caulk. Use isopropyl alcohol to clean surfaces that were caulked. For proper bonding, all surfaces must be perfectly clean of contaminants.

Scuff the Surfaces

Use 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper to thoroughly sand the entire surface. (Check the refinishing kit instructions; rougher sandpaper may be recommended with some kits.) This sanding roughens the surface and makes it possible for the epoxy refinishing paint to bond. This is arguably the most important and time-consuming step of the entire project; do it thoroughly.

Use a vacuum cleaner or clean cloths to wipe away sanding residue. Wipe down all surfaces with a tack cloth to remove the last traces of dust before painting.

Mix the Epoxy Paint

The process for preparing a tub/shower and applying the epoxy refinishing paint differs slightly between products. Rustoleum's Specialty Tub and Tile Refinishing kit is a typical product.

In general, though, you'll want to mix the two compounds—the resin and the catalyst/hardener—in a clean bucket. For best results, use a mixing bit on a power drill. If the paint appears too thick, it can be slightly thinned by adding no more than 10 percent of isopropyl alcohol. Once mixed, the paint will remain workable for about 6 hours under normal conditions.

Apply the Epoxy Paint

Apply a complete coat of paint to the tub/shower surfaces, using a good-quality fine-bristle varnish brush or 1/4-inch-nap roller. Brush in one direction to ensure a smooth surface, and feather the edges to avoid hard lines between brush or roller strokes. Avoid excessive brushing and rolling. The goal is a smooth, even coat; don't worry about thick coverage with the first coat.

Apply Second Coat

Let the first coat of paint dry for at least 1 hour, then apply a second coat. Let dry overnight. Clean up brushes using isopropyl alcohol.

Inspect the surfaces after the paint has dried overnight. If necessary, mix up a new batch of paint and apply a third coat of epoxy. Two coats are usually sufficient, but a shower in poor shape may require three.

Finish the Project

Allow the paint to cure for at least three days before reattaching all hardware. Conclude by applying new tub-and-tile caulk that matches the epoxy paint color.