Home Garden

DIY Rustic Bathtub

If you have a bathtub in your home that you would like to appear more rustic, then you can repaint it using a rustic color -- such as a beige, tawny, pink, blue or even red. Depending on the color theme of your bathroom or home, you will want to select a rustic color that complements and brings out the charm in your space.

Things You'll Need

  • Drop cloth
  • Razor utility knife
  • Latex gloves
  • Respirator
  • Muriatic acid
  • Bristled scrubbing brush
  • Tape
  • Plastic drop cloth
  • Acid etching paste
  • Sponge or soft trowel
  • Air gun paint sprayer
  • Paint and top coat made for the bathtub
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on long-sleeved clothing.

    • 2

      Spread a drop cloth around the tub.

    • 3

      Scrape away the silicone caulk from around the borders of the tub with a razor utility knife, making sure not to scratch the tiles.

    • 4

      Put on latex gloves and a ventilator. Clean the inside and outside of the bathtub with muriatic acid to release and remove oils from the bathtub surface. Scrub the acid with a bristled cleaning brush.

    • 5

      Tape a plastic drop cloth over the tiles with tape to protect them from the bathtub paint.

    • 6

      Keep your latex gloves on. Spread an acid etching paste over the tub using a sponge or soft towel. The paste helps the primer bond better. Allow the paste to set for 15 minutes and then wash it down the tub.

    • 7

      Fill an air gun paint sprayer with the primer made for use on a bathtub. Spray the entire tub with the primer and allow it to dry. Once the primer has dried, apply the top coat in a rustic color of your choice using the air gun paint sprayer.