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Oconomowoc, WI

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I have a window in my shower.

The casing is painted metal, and the sil/ outside of it around the window is wood. I painted it with an enamel paint that the hardware store said would work, but we still put a shower curtain over it. That looks HORRIBLE. What can I paint the sills with to be waterproof for the shower?

8 Comments

Dan's of Central Florida,... Clermont, FL

Hi Shelly,
I've found a good, high quality, semi-gloss latex works well in bathrooms and is water resistant. If you don't want/ need to stay with latex, a high quality oil based paint will work on both the metal sill and the wood (oil and water don't mix.). Before you paint with either type product, sand the surface real good and prep it. Make sure, whether you use oil or latex to use a high quality ...»
primer, like KILZ. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

on Aug 12, 2011 · Like 1
Shelly L Oconomowoc, WI

Thanks Dan!!! I will try it!!!!

on Aug 12, 2011 · Like 0
Dan's of Central Florida,... Clermont, FL

No problem at all there Shelly. Also remember to seal up any gaps with a good quality caulk so the water doesn't run through there. Using a paintable caulk would be best for aesthetics (it will specifically say that it is paintable on the caulk tube, if it doesn't say it is paintable, assume it is not). Good luck!

on Aug 13, 2011 · Like 1
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

What about measuring it out and going to a granite tile supplier and have them cut a few sections of stone that will replace the wood? Simply silicon the sections into place and caulk carefully around the window and you end up with a nice place to hold your shampoo and looks good as well.

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 1
Kimberly Lacy Snellville, GA

Shelly keep in mind that you cannot paint silicon based caulk. So don't use it places that need to be painted over. Replacing the wood with tile as Woodbridge Enviromental suggested is a good way to go.

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 1
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

There is some silicone products that will accept paint, but the whole idea is not using any paint in first place. Clear silicon would be used along the joints around the window. The seams where the stone would connect would be seamed with the sealant to prevent any leaks at the joints.

on Aug 20, 2011 · Like 1
Harold M Franklin, NC

Shelly unfortunatley having a window in a shower is never a good thing. But I realize you got to "dance with the one you brung" You'll just have to keep up with it. Does the shower have an exhaust fan over it to get rid of the steam. If not, you might want to consider putting one in. Somthing else you might consider is tile the window opening. You can go right over the wood if its in good shape.

on Aug 20, 2011 · Like 1
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

If you decide to paint it again in this harsh environment, scrape and sand any loose coating off, wash with clorox to remove mildew, then prime with an oil base primer and finish coat with two coats of oil base paint. These products are impervious to water as long as you've done a good prep job.
Best, Charles

on Aug 20, 2011 · Like 0