If you live in an older home, chances are you have dated fixtures in your bathroom, and they may be showing their age. Whether the finish is cracking from years of use or it just doesn’t suit your style, there is a way around it that won’t break the bank or even require a plumber.
If your faucet functions well, but just looks old and outdated, you can paint it instead of replacing it. Today, most home improvement stores carry refinishing kits in a variety of colors and styles. Here’s what you can expect when you pick one up.
Before you paint: Turn off the water to the bathroom in question, and don’t turn it back on for at least two days. Your new finish has to cure in order to look great and last.
Second: Make sure you protect your eyes and nose, especially if you are working in a small space.
- Turn off the water.
- Tape off the area – if you don’t want to or aren’t able to remove the fixture to paint outside, protect your surfaces, and tape the area around the faucet and handles to get the best lines.
- Clean the fixtures, sand them to a dull shine, then wipe them down again.
- If your faucets have a lot of limescale, soak them in white vinegar overnight, then wash them.
- Consider going over the surface with steel wool to dull the rest of the shine and smooth out rough edges – get it all even.
- Apply self-etching primer – this will help the paint adhere.
- Spray paint or use a sponge brush to apply the paint. A sponge brush will not leave streaks.
- Let the paint sit for 4 hours, then lightly sand with fine grit sandpaper and wipe away the dust.
- Spray paint or use a sponge brush to apply another coat of paint.
- Allow each coat 4 hours to dry, then sand, even if you apply more than one clear coat.
- Once you apply the final clear coat, let the fixtures cure for two days. Avoid touching them, and don’t turn the water back on. This will help give you the best, longest-lasting results.
That’s it! Update old chrome fixtures to look like brushed nickel, copper, or even dark steel. You can achieve whatever look you’re going for with a bit of patience and some paint. For your larger painting projects, reach out to our team to help you get it done. We’ve served the north metro Atlanta area since 1991, are licensed and insured, and always offer free estimates.
Updated: December 2023