Ways to Paint a Fiberglass Shower Enclosure

Surface Cleaning

• To prepare the enclosure for painting, thoroughly clean the surface with trisodium phosphate, also called TSP, and warm water. The TSP gently removes dirt, mold and mildew, all of which will deter paint adhesion if left behind. If you take time to thoroughly cleanse every inch and cranny on the enclosure, the new paint should last for several years.

Caulk Removal

• Remove the old caulking around the edges of the enclosure and around the fixture holes with a straight edge razor tool available at hardware stores. Run your hand over all the edges to make sure no old caulking is left behind, as old caulking residue will cause dips, bumps and rough unsightly surfaces underneath the fresh paint.

Repairs

• Before proceeding to the next step, check the enclosure for chips and cracks. Shallow stress cracks and chips that don’t penetrate the enclosure can be evened out with epoxy specially formulated for fiberglass refinishing. Cracks that go all the way through the shower walls typically require a professional to repair them so they are invisible after the paint is applied. This normally involves filling the cracks with thick epoxy glue and restoring the finish on the interior of the enclosure to match the surrounding areas.

Sanding and Rinsing

• Fiberglass shower paint will not properly adhere to glossy surfaces, so you have to sand the walls of the enclosure to remove the factory-installed finish. To ensure the smoothest sanded surface, use sandpaper with grit between 300 and 600. An electric belt sander can be used for large surfaces, but corners and other junctures require hand sanding. After the sanding is complete, rinse the walls with cool water to ensure all the dust is removed.

Painting and Recaulking

• Use an epoxy-based paint specifically designed for fiberglass restoration. Apply the paint with a brush or paint sprayer. The latter will give the enclosure a glossier finish. Depending on the quality of paint used, you need to apply one to two coats for maximum coverage. After the paint has completely dried, use a caulk gun to seal the outside edges, and repeat the caulking process to prevent any water leakage into the walls behind the enclosure.