I will paint anything. Really. But being totally honest, I was nervous to spray paint my bathroom faucet and tub fixtures. Thankfully, it was a HUGE success, and I can’t wait to show you the best way to spray paint a faucet and bathroom fixtures for a lasting finish!

I completed this tub fixture painting project months before writing this post so I could be sure the process actually works. I didn’t want to give you bad advice about spray painting faucets (or any other bathroom fixture, for that matter)!

I stand behind this process and the products used, and I believe this inexpensive painting project can be an integral part of updating any bathroom!

Spray Paint a Faucet: Supplies Needed

This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

To spray paint my bathroom fixtures as I show you in this post, these are the exact supplies I used.

• Lime-A-Way cleaner
• Comet cleaner
• Sponge
• Rubber gloves
• Sandpaper (I used 150 grit)
• Tack cloth
• Painters tape
• Masking film
• Rustoleum spray Automotive Primer
• Rustoleum Matte Finish Custom Shop automotive spray paint

How to Spray Paint a Faucet or Bathroom Fixtures

After I painted this bathroom’s bath tub, the tub fixtures looked even dingier and gross than they did before. I was hesitant to try and remove them because they were strongly caulked in place, and I was worried about disturbing old plumbing and causing problems for myself.

I worked up the courage to paint the tub fixtures, including the faucet, and I’m so glad I did! I was concerned that I’d accidentally get spray paint on my newly-painted tub or the shower tile, but it all worked out.

Step One: Clean the Faucet and Fixtures

As with any painting project, one of the most important things to do is clean the surface properly!

In this case I scrubbed the faucet and fixtures with Comet cleaner, and then followed up with Lime-A-Way to remove the calcium and lime buildup from the pieces.

The tub overflow plate was especially gross with tons of buildup, so I put that in a Ziploc bag and let it sit. The Lime-A-Way ate through the bag, but luckily I had it sitting on a plate so it didn’t ruin the table I had it sitting on! Just be careful if you use Lime-A-Way as it seems pretty caustic.

Step Two: Sand the Bathroom Fixtures

Once the fixtures were clean, I lightly sanded them with 150 grit sandpaper and then removed all of the dust with tack cloth.

Step Three: Protect the Surrounding Area

Next to cleaning the fixtures, protecting the surrounding surfaces is probably the second most important thing to do!

For this, I hung masking film from the shower ceiling and sides, and then carefully cut small holes to push the tub fixtures through. Once the fixtures were through the masking film, I taped up the rest of the film on the opposite wall.

Then I draped masking film over and into the bath tub, and taped that to the masking film on the walls.

This was sufficient to protect everything from overspray – thank goodness!

Step Four: Prime the Faucet and Fixtures

Now it’s prime time! For this step I sprayed the faucet, trim valve / handle, shower arm, and overflow plate with Rustoleum Automotive Primer. (Instead of painting the shower head, I purchased this matte black shower head, which I added to the shower arm after the fact.)

It dries very quickly, and I topcoated it (next step) within one hour of application. Note that if you don’t apply a topcoat within an hour, you’re supposed to wait 48 hours before topcoating.

Step Five: Spray Paint the Faucet and Bathroom Fixtures

And here is where the magic really started to happen! I spray painted the faucet and fixtures with Rustoleum Matte Finish Custom Shop spray paint in black.

I applied a light coat to everything, and recoated almost immediately. Unlike other spray paints I’ve used in the past, this spray paint allows you to recoat at any time.

Two coats of the automotive spray paint did the trick and covered the faucet and fixtures perfectly.

I let this dry for two days, which is longer than the spray paint can recommended. I figured better safe than sorry!

The spray painted finish is holding up absolutely perfectly on the tub faucet and fixtures. My kids use this tub/shower two times daily, so the paint finish is definitely getting a test.

Cleaning Spray Painted Faucets and Fixtures

Part of the secret to maintaining painted faucets and painted bath fixtures is using gentle cleaning products on them.

I clean both the painted bath tub and the painted fixtures with a mix of hot water and Mr. Clean concentrate, and apply with a sponge cloth. I wipe off water spots with a soft cloth and avoid using paper towels to clean these surfaces, as the paper fibers could scratch them (maybe?).

If these spray painted fixtures ever start to chip or flake, I will update this post. For now, everything looks amazing! If you’re looking to give your bathroom a low-cost update, consider spray painting the fixtures!

If you’ve got a blank wall and kids who love making art, then this pegboard for kids is just what you need!

With some inexpensive pegboard and some colorful paint, you can make an adorable art pegboard that gives your kids a place to create their masterpieces, and keeps all of their art supplies neat and tidy.

I chose to make my art pegboard station in the garage, but you could do this anywhere you have an empty wall!

Let me show you what I started with – a beat up piece of wood attached to my garage wall and a piece of pegboard that was so old it was literally crumbling upon being touched!

My garage was pretty nasty, and this eyesore was not doing anything for it. My kids LOVE playing outside, so that’s how I came up with the idea to transform this neglected wall space into something fun and useable!

Supplies Used to Create an Art Pegboard for Kids

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

• Pegboard
• Pegboard hooks
• Pegboard accessories (like baskets, larger hangers, etc.)
• Acrylic paints in various colors
• Chalkboard paint
• Paintbrushes
• Buckets
• Screws
• Drill

How to Make an Art Station Pegboard for Kids

Since I couldn’t reuse the pegboard that was already installed, I purchased new pegboard and ATTACHED IT MYSELF! Yep, I found the proper screws, got out the electric drill, and put that baby up all by myself. I definitely high-fived my five-year-old daughter when I finished and shouted “GIRL POWER!”  (Note: since writing this post back in 2016, I have done a lot more with power tools!)

Since this is for my kids, I decided to go a little crazy with the paint colors. I taped off a design and got to work painting rainbow color stripes all over the pegboard.

Then I patched some holes in the wood below the pegboard and lightly sanded to even out the surface somewhat.  Then I painted that with chalkboard paint.

Once the pegboard paint dried, I removed the tape to reveal this fun pattern that my kids LOVE!  I added some pegboard accessories and filled them up with some of my kids’ art supplies.

My favorite feature of the entire art station pegboard is the DIY banner paper roll that I made with pegboard hooks and a dowel!

Let me just say that the kids love this pegboard art station!

They even share and play nicely while using it!

Since the supplies are higher than they can reach (intentionally – I didn’t want them getting into the paint without supervision (PS those are my FAVORITE paint markers for kids!)), I added a little hook to the side of the chalkboard where they can hang a bucket of supplies during use. Once finished, I can just pop the bucket back up onto the pegboard.

Not gonna lie – I kind of love pulling into the garage and seeing all that pretty color now. My husband – not so much.

This art pegboard for kids is a really great way to let your kids use their creativity whenever they feel like it.  It’s nice for them to have a space of their own to create, and a way for you to keep their art supplies organized!  (Speaking of which, check out my Spinning Art Supply Caddy project if you’re looking for another great kid art supply organization idea!)

I’m in the middle of a modern vintage bathroom makeover, part of which included refinishing the almond-but-once-avocado-green bath tub.  Refinishing the tub made it look BRAND NEW, but the project was not without its challenges! I’m going to show you how to paint a tub with Rustoleum Tub and Tile, an epoxy tub paint, and give you tips to make your project as smooth as possible.

The Bath Tub Before Refinishing

The bath tub had already been reglazed or refinished at some point in the past.  I guess the owners decided that avocado green was no longer their style!  Unfortunately for us, that finish had started wearing off, leaving the tub with a very ugly, splotchy appearance.

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

The original green tub finish was appearing on the inside more with every day that passed.  Everything about this bath tub looked dirty.  I decided to paint the tub with the Rustoleum Tub and Tile Kit to see if I could improve it, and figured I would hire a pro to refinish it if I failed.

Spoiler alert: with some bumps along the road, it ended up turning out beautifully!  I’m so glad I can share my experience and instructions for how to paint a tub with you – I really think it will help!

Things to Consider Before Painting a Tub Yourself

Before you jump right in and start painting your tub, there are a few things you should consider.

First, the Rustoleum Tub and Tile Kit has terrible instructions.  I was amazed at how inadequate they are.  They do have a somewhat helpful video about repainting a tub, but otherwise the instructions are just bad.  Reading blog posts like this and customer reviews on sites like Amazon and Home Depot may be very helpful to you.

Next, you need to consider the timing of this project in terms of weather conditions and your availability.  With respect to weather, you must do this project when the weather is good: not too hot and not too cold.  I explain that later in this post (in the “Ventilate the Bathroom” section).

As for your availability, each step of the tub painting process needs to happen within specific timeframes, and there is a three-day period once you finish painting where you can’t use the tub.  You’ll need to plan out how you can accomplish the painting and the waiting period so that this doesn’t happen when you have a house full of guests arriving and no tub available.

Finally, understand that there is more cost involved than just one painting kit.  Rustoleum makes it seem like you buy one kit and you have a brand new tub, but it doesn’t work quite like that.  As I explain later in this post, I needed two Tub and Tile Kits.  I also purchased primer and then all of the supplies like paint brushes, etc.  I still came out way ahead of having someone else paint the tub for me, but it was more expensive than the cost of one paint kit.

Supplies Needed to Prep a Tub for Painting

Now that you know a bit more about what to expect when painting a tub, let’s talk about what you need to thoroughly prep the bath tub.  These are the supplies I used to get the tub ready to be painted:

• Comet powder cleaner
• Lime-A-Way cleaner
• ScotchBrite Heavy Duty Scour Pads
• Caulk remover tool (or utility knife)
• 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Rubber gloves, mask, protective eyewear
• Optional: vacuum

How to Prepare a Tub for Painting

For this project, I did all of the prep work the night before I planned to paint the tub.  It took around two hours to complete this portion of the project.  The reason I prepped the night before was to ensure that the tub would have enough time to completely dry before priming and painting.

Clean with Comet

I started by giving the tub the best cleaning it’s ever gotten.  I scrubbed it like crazy with Comet powder cleaner, and then rinsed all of the nastiness down the drain.

Remove the Caulk

Next, I used a caulk remover tool to take out as much of the caulk around the tub as I could.  I didn’t do a perfect job, but I got most of the old caulk out.

This was a harder job than I expected!  Once I finished with this part, I used a little industrial vacuum to suck up all of the caulk bits.

Clean with Lime-A-Way

We have well water and a whole ‘lotta minerals in our water, so I made sure to do a second sweep with Lime-A-Way.  I sprayed it on, let it sit for five minutes, and then scrubbed the tub again.  It looked so clean I couldn’t believe it!

Even if you don’t have a lot of minerals in your water, a second cleaning is a really good idea.  You need the tub to be spotless when you paint it.  Any residue left on the tub will cause adhesion issues with the paint, so cleaning is key!

Sand the Tub

I wiped down the tub with a towel, and then sanded the entire thing with 400 grit wet or dry sandpaper.  400 grit sandpaper is a very fine grit sandpaper, and it helps to slightly rough up the surface before painting (giving it something to hold onto), and also to remove any flaking paint from a previous refinishing job.

Remove the Dust

Finally, the last tub painting preparation step is removing the dust.  I washed everything down the drain, dried the tub, and then went over it with tack cloth to get any fine particles that were left.

Once I finished this, I let the tub dry overnight and poured myself a nice glass of wine.  (Okay, maybe two glasses.)

Supplies Needed to Paint a Bath Tub

The next day I was ready to paint the tub and begin the beautification process!  Here are the supplies I used:

• Tub Cast primer
• Rustoleum Tub and Tile Kit (NOTE: get two kits. You will probably need to use two.  If you end up only needing one, you can return the other.)
• 4″ foam rollers (at least 4)
• 4″ roller tray
• 2″ foam brushes (at least 4)
• Painters tape
• Microfiber cloth
• Stir sticks
• Paper towels
• Drop cloths
• Disposable gloves, mask, protective eyewear
• Recommended: air purifier and fans
• Tub caulk

How to Paint a Tub

As I mentioned above, the timing of this project is really important in terms of both weather (don’t do it when you can’t have the windows open) and product application (each coat needs to be applied within a certain timeframe).  So keep that in mind if you decide to do this yourself!

Ventilate the Bathroom

The biggest drawback of this tub and tile paint is the terrible smell.  Think of an awful smell and multiply that by ten.  It’s really bad.

I highly recommend doing this job in a window of time where you can have the windows in the bathroom and the rest of the house open for at least two days.  Do not attempt it in the middle of winter or the dead of summer.  Please.

Also, make sure to have a fan going and wear a ventilator or N95 mask.

If you can swing it, consider using an air purifier while painting a tub, too.  I was gifted this Mi Air Purifier 3C and have loved using it during this bathroom makeover.  The carbon filter helps remove odors, and the HEPA filter removes 99% of pollutants in the air (including bacteria and viruses).  An air purifier pulls double duty because when I’m not using it for my DIY projects, it’s amazing for my daughter who has terrible seasonal allergies.

Apply the Primer

Tape off around the edges of the tub with quality painters tape so you don’t accidentally get paint where you don’t want it.

Then, apply a coat of wipe on TubCast primer with a microfiber cloth.  The Rustoleum Tub and Tile Kit does not come with primer and it does not say that you need to use primer.  I have painted enough tricky surfaces in my day to feel like primer is a must have, so I researched and found this product, which has been tested with Rustoleum Tub and Tile paint.  You can skip this step if you just want to apply the Rustoleum epoxy tub paint alone.

If you do apply the TubCast primer, it only takes twenty minutes to be ready for topcoating, so you don’t have to wait long at all!  You just wipe it on – it’s not even like paint.

Mix the Rustoleum Tub and Tile Paint

Once the primer is dry (if you chose to do that step), it’s time to mix the Rustoleum Tub and Tile Paint components.  You will mix Part A and Part B for two minutes each, and then pour Part A into the Part B container, and continue mixing for two minutes.

On the package instructions it says that there is no need to wait to use the paint once it’s been mixed.  However, my experience was that the paint, as mixed, was extremely runny at the top of the paint can – almost like really thin milk – and that the runny part at the top would not blend with the thicker paint at the bottom of the can.

Apply Two Coats of Rustoleum Tub and Tile Paint

So, for the first coat of tub paint that I applied, it was practically transparent and – to be frank – awful.  It was very runny and streaked all down the sides of the tub.  I worked quickly with the foam roller to smooth out streaks and do the best I could.

The instructions said the second coat needed to be applied within six hours, so I left the first coat and the rest of the paint in the can, and took a two-hour break to pick up my son at camp and eat lunch.  When I came back, the paint seemed to have thickened in the can, so I was hopeful that the second coat would apply thicker.

Indeed, it did!  The second coat was much more opaque and provided more coverage than the first coat of paint on the tub.  I again applied small parts of paint in the corners of the tub with the foam brush, and rolled the rest of the tub.  The paint self-leveled nicely and I did not have an issue with streaks, drips, or runs with the second coat of paint.

Apply a Third Coat of Tub and Tile Paint

Because the first coat of paint was so thin, it was clear that I needed a third coat of paint on the tub.  Because the paint, as mixed, has to be used within six hours, I had to use a second Tub and Tile Kit on the next day to get a third coat of paint.

Learning from the runny paint experience the day before (or so I thought), I mixed the paint per the package directions and let it sit in the can for about 1.5 hours.  When I came back to get to work, it still seemed runny to me at the top, so I poured about half of the paint into a disposable plastic cup and set it aside on the vanity.

I then used the thicker paint that was at the bottom of the can to apply the third coat of paint to the tub.  As with the day before, it went on nice and thick, and the third coat gave me the coverage I needed.

When I finished painting the tub, I got up and could not believe my eyes: tub and tile paint was all over the granite countertop, in the sink, and running down the front of the vanity I’d just painted.  The epoxy paint had EATEN THROUGH THE CUP and gone EVERYWHERE.  It was a disaster and I freaked out.

Thankfully my husband was home, and he heard me screaming so he ran in to help.  We got most of the epoxy off of the granite and floors.   I had to repaint the vanity and order new hardware, but it could have been much worse!  Moral of the story: do not transfer this paint to any other container.  It is extremely caustic!  I really think Rustoleum needs to add this as a warning to its product information.  This was a terrible experience!

Remove the Painters Tape

I was traumatized from the “epoxy on everything” experience, so I forgot to remove the painters tape from around the tub within an hour of applying the last coat.

I removed it about six hours later, and it was fine. Phew!

Caulk Around the Tub

The next day, once the paint was totally dry, I caulked all around the tub with DAP Kwik Seal Plus tub caulk.  This made a perfect transition between the tub and tile, and tub and wall, and was the cherry on top of the tub paint job.

Let the Tub Paint Cure for Three Days

Finally, I let that tub paint cure and harden for at least three days.  There was no way I was going to ruin this beautiful paint job after all the hard work and tears that went into it!  As Tom Petty says, “the waiting is the hardest part” and that is true! Sharing a tiny bathroom with my kids while this paint was curing wasn’t the most fun, but it was worth it!

In the waiting period, I spray painted the tub fixtures (I will have a tutorial on that soon), to freshen up this bathroom even more!

The DIY Painted Bath Tub

In the end, the results of this project exceeded my expectations! (You can see how I spray painted the faucet and the tub/shower fixtures, too!)

This bath tub looks BRAND NEW.  Really.  I’m not just saying that because it was a tricky project.

I saved around $200 doing it myself, and absolutely love the results.  The kids have been using it for about three weeks now, and there are no signs of chipping or flaking.

I’m optimistic that with gentle cleaning, this painted tub finish will last for several years.

If you’re scared to paint your tub, I totally get it.  Think about this: what’s the worst that can happen?  I think the worst thing happened to me (paint everywhere!), but you won’t make that mistake because I filled you in!  You can do this – give your tub a brand new life and look.  You’ll be so happy you did!

It took me several paint color selection fails to finally learn that buying paint samples before painting an entire space is definitely worth it!  I can attest to the fact that many color disasters have been avoided this way.  But with all of those little paint jars comes the after-the-fact question of what to do with leftover paint samples?  Here are 5 ideas for leftover paint samples that will have you even happier you bought them in the first place!

1.  Donate Sample Paint Pots

If you don’t want the clutter associated with keeping sample paint containers, donate them!

Some organizations will accept donations of sample paint pots.  Certain Habitat For Humanity ReStore locations collect latex paint and recycle it into new paint colors offered for sale to the public.  Before heading out to any donation spot, make sure to check their requirements first.

School art departments may also be grateful for your donations of paint sample pots.  Check with the teachers or administrators first.

And finally, neighbors, friends, or people in your Facebook resale group may want the paint samples!  I am always amazed how people would scoop up paint sample pots from me when I’d list them in my old town’s Facebook group.  This was an incredibly easy way to get rid of paint samples and do good for others.

2.  Make Chalk Paint with Leftover Paint Samples

Another great idea for sample paint is to turn it into chalk paint!  (In case you don’t know what chalk paint is, it’s thick, fast-drying paint that doesn’t require you to sand or prime before use.  Check out my post on how to update cherry furniture with information on when you might want to prime a piece before chalk painting it.)

Did you know that you can make your own chalk paint?  It’s really easy!  Here’s my favorite recipe for homemade chalk paint:

• I cup of paint
• 2 tablespoons of calcium carbonate powder
• 1 tablespoon of water

Watch my TikTok video to see how easy the process of making your own chalk paint is!

Mix well and apply! I refinished this two-tone dresser with homemade chalk paint.

3.  Paint an Accent Wall with Sample Paint 

Patterned accent walls and handpainted “wallpaper” are a huge trend in decor currently.  It’s not surprising as these accent walls are an easy way to add some personality to a space, they don’t take a lot of time to do, and they’re inexpensive as compared to the cost of some wallpapers.

Painting an accent wall with leftover paint samples is a brilliant use of these paint pots!  I painted a grid accent wall in my foyer with craft paint, but this same project easily could have been done with paint samples.

There are so many patterns you can paint on a wall with paint samples: dots, stripes, crosses, sponge painted shapes, arches . . . the list goes on and on!

4.  Create DIY Art with Leftover Paint

As I say over and over and over again, art is so expensive!  I wish I could have “real” artwork for my home, but I’ve got too many other things to spend money on.  Because of that, I like to make my own artwork, and it’s totally doable with leftover paint!

Update a thrift store painting with paint samples, or create new artwork with paint samples and fancy wrapping paper.  Those are two easy ways to get custom art without any talent – ha!

5.  Update Home Decor with Paint Samples

Finally, a perfect idea for using up paint samples is to update home decor with them.  These tiny pots of paint give you just the right amount to try things like painting a mirror frame to give it a new look, giving baskets a fresh new color with paint, or even painting a lampshade like I did in my son’s bedroom makeover!

Using up sample paint pots is a great way to save money and it’s also better for the environment than pouring it down the drain (don’t ever do that!).  Let me know if you have any other great ideas of ways to use leftover paint samples in the comments below.

-Bre