Add Epoxy Coating to a Bathtub

A new way to add interest and a new surface to your bathtub is to use an epoxy coating. Not only can you hide scratches and worn surfaces, you can give your bathtub a fresh new color and possibly even a newly painted design. Just follow these 6 simple steps:

Things You'll Need:

• Bathtub paint kit
• Paint brushes
• Masking tape
• Muriatic acid
• Acrylic Paint
• Epoxy resin
• Paint drop cloth
• Face mask

Step 1 – Remove Deposits
Your old tub surface is likely to have lime and deposits. You will need to remove these deposits in order for the new coating to adhere to the porcelain. Apply muriatic acid to tub walls and scrub them with a bristle brush to help remove these deposits. Be sure to wear gloves and a face mask when applying this acid. Remember, it is hydrochloric acid and can burn your skin or eyes if it comes in contact with them.

Step 2 – Rough up your Bathtub Surface
Your bathtub's surface will naturally be smooth, and you will need to roughen it up a bit to give the new paint a surface that the new coating will stick to. You can achieve this by sanding the tub surface with coarse sandpaper. Don't be concerned about removing existing paint. You'll be covering it all with a new protective color coating.

Step 3 – Mask Walls and Fixtures
Protect walls and fixtures from both acid and new paint by masking those where they come in contact with your tub. Where you need to cover larger surfaces, use plastic sheets and drop cloths with their edges secured with masking tape.

Step 4 – Paint Tub Designs
If you wish to paint designs on your outside tub wall, this is the time to do it. With a variety of brush sizes that will allow you to paint figures and patterns, apply he paint, using acrylic colors of your choice. This paint, before being covered with the clear epoxy resin, will be vulnerable to scratches and scrapes, so be careful to avoid scratching it. When finished with painting your designs, allow the acrylic paint to dry before applying the epoxy paint.

Step 4 – Apply the Epoxy Paint
To apply the epoxy paint from the kit, begin brushing it onto the inside surface of the tub opposite the tub wall nearest you. To avoid breathing the fumes, wear a face mask. With your brush full of paint, begin brushing on the epoxy paint at the top of the tub wall, using downward strokes of the brush. When tub surfaces are completely covered, let the paint dry for at least 12 hours.

Step 5 – Finishing
When the epoxy paint has set, create a mixture of clear epoxy by combining 50 percent hardener with 50 percent resin, and apply a coat of this clear epoxy over the acrylic design you created, brushing it lightly and slowly over your figures and designs.

Step 6 – Clean up
Clean epoxy paint brushes with turpentine or acetone, remove masking tape and plastic sheets. If you dispose of any epoxy paint or muriatic acid, be sure to do it in accordance with EPA regulations.