Forum Discussion

jfb1969's avatar
jfb1969
Explorer
Sep 24, 2015

Plastic tub refinishing - any suggestions?

I am embarking on a remodel of my TT and the tub is in some need of some TLC. It's still in great shape (no cracks, etc...), but the color has faded and I would like to refinish it to freshen it up a bit.Last year I had to take the tub out due to a cracked P-trap and I did a little test on the underside to see if it could be painted.

I scuffed an area on the unserside with some sand paper, wiped it down with some isopropyl alcohol and have it a couple coat of rustoleum white paint for plastic. I allowed to to cure and was very disappointed when I could pretty easily scratch the paint off.

So does anyone out there have a suggestion for a durable way to refinish my tub?
  • oldmattb's avatar
    oldmattb
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2015
    http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-7860519-Refinishing-2-Part-White/dp/B000PTSBKW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1443107359&sr=8-2&keywords=tub+paint

    Used it dozens of times with good results - make sure the tub is very clean.

    Matt B
  • wing_zealot's avatar
    wing_zealot
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2015
    oldmattb wrote:
    http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-7860519-Refinishing-2-Part-White/dp/B000PTSBKW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1443107359&sr=8-2&keywords=tub+paint

    Used it dozens of times with good results - make sure the tub is very clean.

    Matt B
    That products says it's for ceramic, porcelean and fiberglass. OP said his tub was plastic.
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Sep 24, 2015
    Why not just buff it out using rubbing compound followed by a polishing compound much like you polish a car, boat or RV? No worries about the paint peeling, no toxic fumes or overspray to deal with.

    B.O.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Sep 24, 2015
    I would recommend hiring this out to a PROFESSIONAL Bathtub "re-finisher", they will KNOW what proper paint is needed.

    They will do all the proper prep work and use the proper primer AND paint and make the job look like a new tub when done..

    Most likely they will get the job done faster than you could with spray bombs..

    Spray "bombs" not so much as far as professional looking NOR will they "last"..

    Not really a good DIY item if you really want it to look right.
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Sep 24, 2015
    Gdetrailer wrote:
    I would recommend hiring this out to a PROFESSIONAL Bathtub "re-finisher", they will KNOW what proper paint is needed.

    They will do all the proper prep work and use the proper primer AND paint and make the job look like a new tub when done..

    Most likely they will get the job done faster than you could with spray bombs..

    Spray "bombs" not so much as far as professional looking NOR will they "last"..

    Not really a good DIY item if you really want it to look right.


    I agree that unless you do a lot of prep work and have practiced on other plastics before then it will be tough to spray paint it and get it to look right.

    But, for what it would cost to get it professionally done you could just buy a new tub. There actually cheap. And, you can often get free shipping.
  • kevden's avatar
    kevden
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2015
    I polished the plastic tub and surround in our house with rubbing compound, car polish, toothpaste, and car wax using a random orbit buffer. The toothpaste worked best. It was a lot of work. I was able to remove some deep scratches by wet sanding them. It took about 5 days to do it working 4 to 6 hrs/ day.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Sep 25, 2015
    CavemanCharlie wrote:
    Gdetrailer wrote:
    I would recommend hiring this out to a PROFESSIONAL Bathtub "re-finisher", they will KNOW what proper paint is needed.

    They will do all the proper prep work and use the proper primer AND paint and make the job look like a new tub when done..

    Most likely they will get the job done faster than you could with spray bombs..

    Spray "bombs" not so much as far as professional looking NOR will they "last"..

    Not really a good DIY item if you really want it to look right.


    I agree that unless you do a lot of prep work and have practiced on other plastics before then it will be tough to spray paint it and get it to look right.

    But, for what it would cost to get it professionally done you could just buy a new tub. There actually cheap. And, you can often get free shipping.


    If it is a one piece tub with surround it most likely will not be an easy feat to replace.. Pretty darn good chance a new tub will be larger than the door or window openings and in many RVs even the act of getting it through a bathroom door my be an exercise of futility.

    Things like tubs are put into place before the walls on pretty much all RVs with perhaps Airstream and some Motor Homes..

    Better measure twice, then a few more times before demolishing the old tub and ordering a new one..
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Sep 28, 2015
    Gdetrailer wrote:
    CavemanCharlie wrote:
    Gdetrailer wrote:
    I would recommend hiring this out to a PROFESSIONAL Bathtub "re-finisher", they will KNOW what proper paint is needed.

    They will do all the proper prep work and use the proper primer AND paint and make the job look like a new tub when done..

    Most likely they will get the job done faster than you could with spray bombs..

    Spray "bombs" not so much as far as professional looking NOR will they "last"..

    Not really a good DIY item if you really want it to look right.


    I agree that unless you do a lot of prep work and have practiced on other plastics before then it will be tough to spray paint it and get it to look right.

    But, for what it would cost to get it professionally done you could just buy a new tub. There actually cheap. And, you can often get free shipping.


    If it is a one piece tub with surround it most likely will not be an easy feat to replace.. Pretty darn good chance a new tub will be larger than the door or window openings and in many RVs even the act of getting it through a bathroom door my be an exercise of futility.

    Things like tubs are put into place before the walls on pretty much all RVs with perhaps Airstream and some Motor Homes..

    Better measure twice, then a few more times before demolishing the old tub and ordering a new one..


    I see. I'm used to older TT and the ones I've had don't have a one piece tub. The tub is just mounted below the surround and it is held in by a few screws. I helped change one out for my brother and it was quite easy. It fit through he door too.

    I change my recommendation. Check out what type of tub you have. Some of them are easy to change and cheap.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 18, 2025