What Paint Won't Peel Off a Painted Cement Shower?

Prepare the Walls

• Regardless of the type of paint that you use, before painting a cement shower, you should ensure that the cement walls are clean and ready for painting. Accomplish this by washing the walls down with a solution of soap and water or with a cleaner labeled for use before painting, and allow the surface of the walls to fully dry. Once the walls have dried, brush a primer labeled for use on cement onto to the walls, and allow the primer to cure for at least 8 hours.

Paint the Walls

• To paint a cement shower, you must use a waterproof paint to prevent the moisture and water pressure from causing the paint to peel off the walls. Waterproof masonry paint offers a waterproof paint option that adheres well to concrete and is safe to use on an indoor shower. Masonry paint should be applied to the wall with a textured roller and using a soft-bristled paintbrush at the edges of the walls and around fixtures. Use two to three coats of paint for the best result.

Seal the Paint

• Though the paint itself provides some water resistance, waterproof masonry paint still benefits from sealing. Apply a waterproof sealer, such as polyurethane, over the paint on the cement shower walls in a thin layer with a paintbrush, and allow the sealer to dry. Then, sand the sealed surface lightly and apply a second coat of sealer. The waterproof sealer repels water, which prevents moisture from reaching the painted wall surface.

Epoxy Paint

• Epoxy paint offers many of the same benefits as waterproof masonry paint, including adhering well to concrete. Epoxy paint provides a harder, more water-resistant surface than standard waterproof masonry paint, and generally won’t require a secondary sealer. However, the epoxy has a glossy finish that can prove slippery in showers, so if you paint the floor, you must use some form of texturing or put down a good rubber mat to prevent slipping.