How to Paint Your Toilet Bowl

Does your bathroom look worn out and uninviting? If it does then perhaps instead of redecorating your entire restroom, you might consider painting your toilet bowl. No matter what color you choose, a fresh coat of paint is a sure-fire way to update the decor in your bathroom. Just follow the simple steps outlined in this handy do-it-yourself guide.

Step 1 – Choosing Your Design and Color

When it comes to painting a toilet bowl, you should consider all the possibilities available before settling on a design and color. Try painting a piece of white poster board with your design and color, and put it next to the toilet bowl to see if you like it.

Step 2 – Cleaning the Toilet Bowl

Warning: Wear gloves, long sleeves, and other appropriate safety gear when using any harsh cleanser like trisodium phosphate.

Using a coarse toilet brush and a trisodium-phosphate, or TSP, cleanser, scrub the toilet bowl well to remove any dirt and grime. After scrubbing, rinse the toilet bow well with wet rags. Let the bowl dry for 1-2 hours. Don't forget to thoroughly clean your toilet-bowl brush when you're finished with it.

Step 3 – Turning the Water Off

Next, turn the water supply to the toilet off. Gather your supplies, and proceed to the next step.

Step 4 – Sanding Your Toilet

Once the toilet is dry, use 120-grit sandpaper to sand the toilet bowl down. Scour the surface of the bowl until it feels gritty. If you skip this step, the primer and paint won’t stick to the toilet.

Step 5 – Applying Primer

Warning: When using primer or paint, follow all safety precautions as provided on the products. Only use in well-ventilated areas.

Next, coat the toilet bowl with latex-acrylic spray primer. Hold the spray can about 8 inches away from the bowl. Let the primer dry for two hours. Do not paint or prime the inside of the bowl, or you could plug the holes from where the water comes out.

Step 6 – Painting the Toilet

After the primer is thoroughly dry, spray your toilet bowl with appliance-epoxy spray paint the same way you sprayed the primer. Never paint over a bowl that isn't primed or the paint with peel off. After you’ve coated the toilet bowl, wait at least six hours before turning the water back on and using it.

For a completely updated restroom, add some stylish bathroom accessories, like towel rings and toothbrush holders.