Can I paint a new wooden toilet seat?

Kathryn Zomer
by Kathryn Zomer
I recently bought a new toilet seat. it is white painted wood and looks icky with the bone toilet. is it worth my trouble to paint or faux finish in some way. its a good quality seat and only came in white.
  13 answers
  • Victoria Larsen Stencils Victoria Larsen Stencils on Jan 23, 2014
    Hi there. Because it's wood, yes you can! Simply use an electric palm sander (or hand sand) the glossy finish off the wood. Use Zinsers Premium Pro Primer in the gold and white can (found at all home stores, Walmart, Kmart and paint stores). Now, paint it your favorite color. After it dries, seal it with two coats of clear, non-yellowing polyurethane to protect the paint finish. Tah Dah! A new, decorator toilet seat. Have fun!
  • Have you thought about trying to find a bone toilet seat on EBAY? yes they do have them. That would be a whole lot easier than trying to paint a toilet seat which will see a lot of "butt traffic" LOL
  • Shari Shari on Jan 23, 2014
    Yep, if I were doing this, I would do just as @Victoria Larsen suggested. DEFINITELY seal with a protective finish, even on the underneath side--not only to keep the paint from chipping or wearing away but also to seal the porous nature of wood and paint from bacteria. I think a protective finish will keep it a bit more sanitary and make it easier to wipe down with bleach, or whatever type disinfectant you typically use.
  • Victoria Larsen Stencils Victoria Larsen Stencils on Jan 23, 2014
    Good point Shari. I hadn't even thought about bacteria
  • Jane Seaver Jane Seaver on Jan 23, 2014
    My brother-in-law worked as a painter at the naval air station near here, and every year they refinished the toilet seats. They liked to use varnish but paint would work too AND don't forget to seal them
  • toilet seats cost 15 bucks is it really worth your time materials and gas to do a half a__ job. Pardon the pun. Sand with 150 grit paper wipe clean with solvent, apply 2 coats of oil based paint to all sides. Allow to dry in a hot dry area for 36 hours. Presto you have now spent more than 15 bucks and waisted 1.5 hrs including driving time and gas.
  • Van Randall Van Randall on Jan 25, 2014
    I'm in the same predicament. Our toilet color is just a little off from any seats that we've found.
  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Jan 25, 2014
    sure... you can paint a chair, you can paint a toilet seat. I would prime it, and after you paint it seal it with a poly-acrylic.. Thanks for the inspiration, I never thought about painting ours.
  • Cindy tustin Cindy tustin on Jan 25, 2014
    Do you have a replacement while all this sanding painting and sealing is going on?
  • Kathryn Zomer Kathryn Zomer on Jan 26, 2014
    Yah, I still have the old one, but, y'know, I think I'm gonna keep looking online. Thanks everyone!
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Jul 20, 2015
    Spray paint with Krylon Fusion or Rustoleum 2x.
  • Qua28716232 Qua28716232 on Aug 03, 2017

    Just for those who keep saying toilet seats are $10 or $15. Maybe the ones you use are, but I buy pretty good quality with some features like "slow close" and easily removable for thorough cleaning...so it only makes sense to repaint instead of adding more to the landfill...

  • Tawny Leste-Carlson Tawny Leste-Carlson on Nov 13, 2020

    I am 57 and we just downsized to a home with 2 bathrooms ~ one for stinky messy hubby šŸ˜„ and one JUST FOR MEEEE! (between living at home as a kid, sharing apartments in my late teens/ early 20s, getting married, having kids, having kids MOVE BACK HOME, I've always shared one, so I get to do WHATEVER I WANT (I sound like a selfish brat ha) and I want a pink bathroom full of bling and pearls and shiny and glittery and I'm even going to paint my toilet seat PINK! Thank you very much for providing the instructions! I just have to make sure not to sand the seat itself TOO roughly