How to Spray Paint a Bathtub

Scrape all soap scum from the bathtub surface with a razor blade.

Wipe down the tub surface with an alkaline emulsifier using a clean rag. Wipe it down with an acid-based citric cleanser to neutralize the emulsifier.

Scrape away the caulk between the bathtub and wall with a putty knife.

Clean the tub with an abrasive cleaning powder and a sponge. Rinse it to remove all debris and cleaner.

Dry the bathtub with towels. Wipe it down with denatured alcohol and a rag.

Pull out the drain cover with your hand. Mask all faucets and other fixtures with painter's tape.

Fill all cracks and scratches with putty from a repair kit for fiberglass or other materials. Smooth it into place with a putty knife. Wipe away all excess with a rag.

Sand the tub with 36- and 80-grit sandpaper. Wipe down tub with a rag to remove dust.

Put on an air mask and open the windows to ventilate the area.

Remove the cap from the paint sprayer tank. Fill the tank of the paint sprayer with the selected bathtub refinishing paint.

Apply three coats of paint to the tub using the spray-gun nozzle. Allow the paint to dry for 10 to 15 minutes before applying each additional coat.

Wet a piece of 1000-grit sandpaper and smooth over any imperfections when the paint is dry.

Dry the bathtub with paper towels.

Hand buff the tub to smooth over any imperfections using a soft cloth and polymer-glaze car wax.