How do I paint a fiberglass tub surround

Question

I have a fiberglass tub surround and need to repaint the bottom.  What product can be used?

Hannah V · Answer

I know @Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating did this! Maybe she can help? Here's her post! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/bathroom/diy-painted-bathtub-988152

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

@Lisa Safford a fiberglass tub surround and tub has a coating on it called a Jell Coat. This finish once scratched and dull can be restored using buffing compound and finish with a auto wax. Normally the bottom of the tub becomes worn and dingy looking with soap scum filling the tiny scratches that are created by using abrasive cleaners. As the tub becomes older more abrasive cleaners are used to help clean it. The result is deeper scratches and damage to the Jell coating that is applied over the fiberglass to give it a smooth shiny finish. If the Jell coat has not been destroyed using a white auto body polishing compound should remove the scratches and clean it up. Once done you will need a good wax to fill any deeper scratches that were not polished out. 
Use a good amount of compound with enough water to keep it wet enough to prevent it from drying out. As you polish the compound will have a tendency to work itself into the polishing pad. Keeping it wet will help prevent this. If the tub is really bad you can start with a orange rubbing compound that is more aggressive and will remove surface material faster. A buffing machine or a small palm sander with a buffing pad attachment should do the trick. As it fills with compound be sure to remove and clean it well. Or it will become to abrasive and scratch the surface even more. 
This process will take a few hours to do, but the results should be a like new finish. Painting the tub will only result in peeling paint later on and making it even more difficult to fix. In any case both methods will take about the same amount of time to complete, only the polishing method will allow you to use the tub as soon as your done and will look much better overall.

Lisa Safford · Answer

It's just a few tiny spots that need painting. Want to replace it but not in the budget yet so I was looking for something to touch it up

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Nothing will stick to the finish without a lot of work. And touching up just a few spots will only result in everything else looking poor. Is the finish chipped or just really dirty and difficult not able to clean? If its chipped, there are fiberglass jell coat repair kits that will fix smaller areas on a fiberglass tub. HD sells them. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Aquatic-Gel-Coat-Repair-Kit-35RKWH/100177610

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How do I paint a fiberglass tub surround

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