You can drastically alter the appearance of your faded or plain-looking acrylic shower enclosure by applying a new finish. However, before you rush into this sort of do-it-yourself project, you must understand the proper preparation techniques, or you will end up with a messy-looking finish that will chip and flake, over time. In addition, because shower enclosures are subject to duress, you should choose a particular type of coating, capable of withstanding large amounts of moisture.
Things You'll Need:
- Coarse Sponge Or Plastic Brush
- Rags
- Palm Sander
- Roller Frame
- Heavy-Duty Cleanser
- 3- To 4-Inch Latex Paintbrush
- 2-Part Appliance Epoxy
- Shed-Resistant Roller Cover
- Heavy-Duty Fabric Drop Cloths
- Blue Painter'S Tape
- Acrylic Latex Primer
- 220-Grit Sandpaper
Scrub the acrylic shower enclosure clean with a heavy-duty cleanser of your choice, using a coarse sponge or plastic brush. Rinse the enclosure with wet rags and wait for the surface to dry.
Enhance surface adhesion by scouring the clean acrylic shower enclosure with sandpaper.
Coat the abraded acrylic shower enclosure with an acrylic latex primer, using a roller. Smooth the primer, using a paintbrush, manufactured for use with water-based paints. Wait three hours for the primed acrylic shower enclosure to dry.
Wash all painting tools with water.
Coat the primed acrylic shower enclosure with a two-part appliance epoxy. Smooth the paint just as you did the primer. Wait a full day before using the shower.
Tip
Protect areas beneath and adjacent to the acrylic shower enclosure by covering them with heavy-duty fabric drop cloths and low-tack painter's tape.
Load the sandpaper into a palm sander to ease the abrasion process.
Sand the acrylic shower enclosure until it feels rough to the touch.
Warnings:
- Do not paint over an acrylic shower enclosure unless it has been abraded, or the finish will fail. Do not paint over an unprimed acrylic shower enclosure, or the paint will peel.
Resources
Writer Bio
Ryan Lawrence is a freelance writer based in Boulder, Colorado. He has been writing professionally since 1999. He has 10 years of experience as a professional painting contractor. Lawrence writes for High Class Blogs and Yodle. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations with a minor in history from the University of Oklahoma.
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