How to Update a Cement Shower

Installing Shower Tile

• 1

  Allow your cement shower to air-dry completely. Vacuum the surface with a hose attachment to remove any dust or loose dirt.

• 2

  Mix all-purpose cleaner and warm water in a bucket according to the package instructions. Scrub the cement with a scrub brush and the cleaning solution to remove any oil or dirt that might inhibit proper installation of your finishing product. Rinse the shower with water and allow the surface to dry.

• 3

  Spread mastic over the cement surface with a trowel, covering one section at a time. Carefully press one shower tile at a time into the mastic. Space the tiles evenly to create uniform joints. Repeat this step until you've covered the entire cement shower surface with tile. Allow the tile and mastic to set for three days.

• 4

  Smooth grout with latex additive over the joints between the shower tiles. Use your trowel to push the grout into the joints and fill them completely.

• 5

  Dampen a sponge with water. Wring out excess moisture. Wipe off excess grout that's smeared onto the tile. Let the grout dry for three to five hours. Rub the tile with a damp cloth to remove any grout film. Buff it dry with another cloth.

• 6

  Apply caulk to the corners where two shower walls meet and on the top and bottom edge of each wall. Place the tip of the caulking gun at one end of the seam or edge. Squeeze the tube to make the caulk come out and draw the caulk down the seam or across the edge to seal the tile edges and prevent water from getting behind the tiles. Allow the caulk and grout to dry overnight.

Reglazing Your Cement Shower

• 7

  Vacuum the surface of your cement shower using a hose attachment. Remove oil and dirt by washing the surface with an all-purpose cleaning solution in a bucket. Scrub the cement shower with a scrub brush before rinsing it with water. Let the interior of your shower air-dry.

• 8

  Prepare the cement surface for reglazing by applying a thin, even coat of epoxy-based primer. Spray the primer on with a paint sprayer. Allow the primer to air-dry for five or six hours. Apply a second coat of epoxy-based primer and allow that coat to air-dry overnight.

• 9

  Paint the shower surface with an acrylic-based urethane paint. Fill your spray painter with the paint and apply one thin coat. Allow the urethane paint to air-dry for 12 hours. Once it's dry, add up to four more coats of the acrylic-based urethane paint, allowing each coat to air-dry for 12 hours, until your shower surface has reached the level of luster or color depth you desire.