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Shower tile painting using Rust-Oleum

Completed project.

So this lockdown I've decided to repaint the tiles in my shower. I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos and I know it can be tricky, so wanted to get some advice before I charge ahead.

Firstly - I've read lots of stuff about using Rust-oleum Tub and Tile, but I can't figure out the difference between Tub and Tile and Tile Transformations? They seem to do the same thing...?

Secondly, I'll be making sure those tiles are super clean before I begin (with a few passes of sugar soap), light sanding and final clean and dry. Is there anything else I need to do to prep the tiles/grout?

Just want to make sure I get this right the first time!

Thanks
Chris

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community Chris (@Chris_T). It's a pleasure to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about tile coatings.

The difference between the two products is that the Rust-Oleum Tile Transformations Tile Coating System is a textured finish and is suitable for shower stalls. The Rust-Oleum Tub And Tile Refinishing Kit is a smooth finish and unsuitable for high humidity environments, including shower stalls.

You should find this technical data sheet for the Rust-Oleum Tile Transformations Tile Coating System useful as it includes preparation instructions.

The following is taken from the preparation instructions:

Clean all surfaces thoroughly with a multi-purpose cleaner. Bleach is not recommended. Clean all grout lines with a stiff brush.

There is a packet of cleaner included in this kit. Dampen the included scrub pad and sprinkle the cleaner over it. Scrub the entire shower stall to remove mould, dirt and soap scum. Thoroughly rinse down the area, ensuring all residue is gone. Repeat the cleaning until the tiles feel clean and have a smooth surface.

Remove all silicone caulking inside the stall as the product will not adhere to it. This can be replaced after the painting is completed. Ensure you pay particular attention to any areas where the silicone could be smeared onto the tiles.

Inspect the grout between the tiles for any cracks, chips or holes. Repair grout first by re-grouting severely damaged areas.

Once cleaned, repaired and dried, remove any moveable fixtures. You can then tape off any adjacent walls with painter's tape.

There is no sanding process recommended before applying the Rust-Oleum Tile Transformations Tile Coating System.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

All comments

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community Chris (@Chris_T). It's a pleasure to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about tile coatings.

You should find this technical data sheet for the Rust-Oleum Tile Transformations Tile Coating System useful as it includes preparation instructions.

The following is taken from the preparation instructions:

Clean all surfaces thoroughly with a multi-purpose cleaner. Bleach is not recommended. Clean all grout lines with a stiff brush.

There is a packet of cleaner included in this kit. Dampen the included scrub pad and sprinkle the cleaner over it. Scrub the entire shower stall to remove mould, dirt and soap scum. Thoroughly rinse down the area, ensuring all residue is gone. Repeat the cleaning until the tiles feel clean and have a smooth surface.

Remove all silicone caulking inside the stall as the product will not adhere to it. This can be replaced after the painting is completed. Ensure you pay particular attention to any areas where the silicone could be smeared onto the tiles.

Inspect the grout between the tiles for any cracks, chips or holes. Repair grout first by re-grouting severely damaged areas.

Once cleaned, repaired and dried, remove any moveable fixtures. You can then tape off any adjacent walls with painter's tape.

There is no sanding process recommended before applying the Rust-Oleum Tile Transformations Tile Coating System.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Chris_T

Thanks @MitchellMc

I've completed the project and just thought I'd share some before and after pics! I used the Rust-Oleum and it has come out great!

IMG_6178 2 copy.jpg IMG_6253 copy.jpg

Jason

Wow, great result @Chris_T. Thank you so much for sharing some photos as I'm sure your handiwork will inspire others. It's certainly a popular project with the community.

Feel free to post anytime you need a hand or have something to share.

Jason

Prawns

Well done looks great 🙂

Marshall

@Jason Sorry to hijack this thread (will open a seperate one if needed) but I am looking at a similar project - only instead of a tiled shower I have a dated fiberglass shower cubicle I wanted to refresh in a clean white. And as you had recently provided very clear guidance regarding the products above I was hoping you might be able to recommend regarding what product would be best for this purpose ?

Many thanks in advance.

Also nice work to the original poster. Looks like a nice job.

EricL

Hello @Marshall

Thank you for joining the discussion and sharing your query about painting your fiberglass shower.

Painting a fiberglass shower is an involved process as the materials required need to bind to the surface of the fiberglass, and provide a tough durable surface for the base coat to adhere to. I recommend using a resin primer but I will need to get more information from the provider if the primer at the store is compatible with fiberglass.

It is recommended to use acrylic polymer paint over the resin primer. The Rust-Oleum Tile Transformations Coating System is rated for tile use, and am not sure if it is suitable for fiberglass use. Let me make some inquires for you about which paint and primer are suitable for your shower.

Eric

EricL

Hello @Marshall

I've just spoken to our providers and I'm sorry but the primers for the tiles are not compatible with fiberglass showers. I've also been informed that the paint will not work in a fiberglass shower environment. I'm so sorry but I currently don't have any products I can recommend for your fiberglass shower. I suggest considering replacing the fiberglass shower and tiling the area to give it a fresh new look. By tiling the shower in a white tile, you will probably need to re-grout once every five to seven years to give it a fresh new look. If you have any other projects we can assist with, please let us know.

Eric

Marshall

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the feedback - I was referring more to the second product the OP mentioned. Rust-Oleum Tub And Tile Refinishing KitI Not the tile transformation paint. In the description the Tub and Tile refinishing states it can be applied to: ceramic, porcelain or fibreglass so it appeared it would be suitable for the application I just wanted to verify first.

EricL

Hello @Marshall

My sincerest apologies, I thought you were referring to the first product. The quick answer is yes! The Rust-Oleum Tub And Tile Refinishing Kit is ideal to use on your fiberglass shower. My only recommendation when using this product is to make sure you have plenty of ventilation and to prep the area thoroughly as advised on the packet. If you need further assistance with your project, please let us know.

Eric

Laura7

Hi @MitchellMc @EricL

I am looking to do a very similar project to the above in my bathroom. Given that the entire Rust-Oleum range is out of stock online and across Bunning stores (it may have been discontinued?) are you able to please suggest an alternative that can achieve this result?

Thank you

Laura

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Laura7. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your enquiry about the Rust-Oleum tile coating system.

It appears that the Rust-Oleum Tile Transformations Tile Coating System is in stock at many locations. However, I apologise as it is not currently available for Click & Collect or delivery. I'll reach out via PM for details of your location to check on stock availability.

There are no other products suitable for use in a shower stall as our other tile paints are not suitable for this type of high humidity environment.

Mitchell

Chris_T

A quick update on the shower painting, which I felt worth sharing as a caution for prepping this kind of project.

I have discovered some of the paint has started to come off the soap tray area. It makes sense that I might have encountered issues in this area as it was the spot where a lot of soap debris gathered previously, and I clearly didn't clean it/sand it well enough for the paint to affix. So I guess the lesson is, really work on those spots that collect soap! I wonder if there was some other product I could have used to clean those surfaces better, or rougher sandpaper?

Anyway, now I'm considering how to address this problem. Can't really justify buying a full rustoleum kit for a touch up... Given it's a soap tray, I considered whether there is some kind of surface I could stick over the soap tray (like an anti slip material?) which would hide the defect and also be a practical addition?

Chris

IMG_7792 copy.jpg

EricL

Hello @Chris_T

I'm sorry to hear that some paint has peeled off near the soap tray. I suggest trying Dulux 1L PRECISION Maximum Strength Adhesion Primer White to touch up the affected area and spray the top with White Knight Squirts 310g Clear Gloss Spray Paint to give it that shine. Unfortunately, this is not tile paint and will not last as long as the Rustoleum kit. When the repair finally peels off, you can then put on a new coating over the area.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Chris_T

Hiya,

So after much procrastination, here's what I did...

I cleaned back the soap tray and removed all the peeling paint. I then filled the soap tray with white silicone and levelled it off with a plastic trowel and some methylated spirits (so the silicone didn't get caught to the trowel and be as smooth as possible.)

Now the paint edges are sealed (so hopefully no more peeling paint!), the soap tray has a bit of grip (from the silicone), and it looks more neat and even (if not a slightly different colour to the paint).

Chris

EricL

Hi @Chris_T

Thank you for posting an update on your soap tray. The silicone should provide an adequate seal and hopefully, there will be no more peeling paint.

Eric

alc123

Hi,

looks great!
are you able to give an update on how the tile paint is holding up 3 years on?

thank you 😊

JacobZ

Hi @alc123,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you join us.

Allow me to tag @Chris_T so they are notified of your question.

Hopefully they will be able to update you shortly.

Jacob

Chris_T

Hi @alc123,

I was amazed to realize that I did that shower refurbishment three years ago!

The paint is still holding strong and looking great after all that time.

There are two areas that had issues, and I attribute them to not being diligent enough with my prep. One was the soap tray, as noted above. I should have spent more time ensuring it was 100% free of soap residue. The lower soap holder was particularly difficult to prep because it’s concave and a narrow space – I probably should have used a wire brush or something to really scratch off the soap and roughen the surface.

The second area is to the left of the soap tray, which was an awkward spot to reach with my circular sander and is not easy to see as it is usually hidden in the shadow of the soap tray. There is a small amount of peeling there too. Screenshot 2024-08-05 at 12.12.28 PM.jpeg

Everywhere else is super solid!

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Chris

alc123

Thank you so much @Chris_T for the detailed response. It sounds like the product is holding up really well. You have done a wonderful job!

It’s great to get a first hand review, especially one 3 years on.

what cleaning products do you used on the tiles? Just wondering what the paint can handle… bleach? Mould spray? Natural products?

Thanks again!

Chris_T

I use a shower cleaner spray (I generally don't stick to a particular brand - at the moment I have Jif Bathroom spray) and occasionally mold spray. I don't use bleach, and I would be nervous about using anything too abrasive like actual Jif cream - and I haven't really need to do so anyway. To scrub I use a plastic bristled brush which takes off the soap scum / mold pretty nicely.

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