Can you replace the metal on a shower stall?

Question

I have an old 1970's shower stall with stainless metal trim. I've purchased oil rubbed bronze faucets and towel bars to update the bathroom. I can not change the shower stall because of my tile floor and marble trim around the shower.

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage · Answer

I have seen makeover where the metal is spray painted a matching finish!

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage · Answer

Here is a link :) http://www.addicted2decorating.com/d-i-y-project-how-to-paint-a-bathroom-faucet-shower-enclosure.html

Luci Hersey · Answer

I don't think that would work with my shower stall...But Thanks for your comment.

Windsor Designs · Answer

Luci - the shower enclosure can be changed without disrupting the existing tile. You may even be able to re-use the glass. Contact your local glass company for options and pricing.

Mary Insana · Answer

I think spray paint would work if you used a primer first. You would only be painting the part that faces out in the bathroom, not the inside. Cover the shower doors and any other glass with newspaper and secure with painters tape. make sure you cover everything else in your bathroom with drop cloths, old sheets or plastic drop cloths and spray away. It's not as hard as it sounds. I've used a product from Rustolium that gives a gun metal finish and it comes in about 5 colors. If you can find the color you need i think it would work out nice.

Designs by BSB · Answer

Since you have frame work that encases all the edges of the glass, it would not be cost prohibitive to just change out the metal. It would be very labor intensive to uninstall the enclosure, remove and clean the glass. If it was frameless - it would not be nearly as involved.

Hiline Builders Inc. · Answer

Hi Luci, Yes you can definitely change the metal. You can reuse the existing glass if you choose however the labor involved in carefully removing the glass and cleaning it up for reinstall may make it worth investing in new glass. It's not that expensive. One factor to consider is how good of shape the existing glass is in i.e., water stains etc. But there are some very cool glass styles available http://www.cardinalshower.com/enclosures/swing-door/cast-glass

Straight Nails Construction · Answer

Its hard to tell from this picture, but it looks like this might be a prefab version that you can find at your local home improvement store. If so, you might be able to just buy the top version, or if you know the manufacturer, you may be able to order just the glass and door portions. In any case, you can change the appearance of the existing metal, but usually it doesn't have the same clean look. I would suggest only oil based products for both the primer and paint, since that will hold up much better with the water usage. http://www.homedepot.com/Bath-Bath-Tubs-Showers-Whirlpool-Tubs-Showers-Shower-Stalls-Shower-Kits/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbza7/R-100168319/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UI1KUGfCn2Q

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Straight nails is on track with his answer. However I would be simply going to a glass shop that does shower surrounds and have a frameless unit installed. If your going with new hardware, you might as well put in the frameless system. It will change the entire look of the room and give you a much larger feel over all in the room. 
But if you cannot afford this, most likely what you have is an over the counter door unit that can be purchased with the newer metal color your looking to do. I would not however waste my time or money on refinishing. Way to much work for to little in return.

Luci Hersey · Answer

To Straight Nails, My shower stall is not prefab, It goes all the way to the floor on one end and sits on my tub on the other side. We bought the house from the people who built it, so I know it was not a prefab unit. Thanks for you input though. 
Woodbridge: I do love the idea of having a frameless unit, I do have a very limited budget, as my husband doesn't want to do any of this remodling in the first place! lol
I will have to go check on prices, but as I mentioned about to Straight Nails, My unit is not totally even on both sides, so it would have to be custom made.

Sharron W · Answer

@Luci Hersey W.E. and Straight Nails always have the best answers, LOL and even if yours is a custom unit, it CAN be retro fitted, The glass companies make clear silicon seals for some joints and custom cut the metal for others, if You're willing to do the UN-installation labor, you may be VERY surprised by how little it costs to have them measure and cut new metal pieces....You certainly will nnever know unless you ask...LOL and I'm feeling ya on the budget issue with hubby...I tried to explain what I wanted accomplished in the kitchen and he said, I don't want to know anything about it...and at that point I thought OK, then don't be surprised when the CC bill shows up...

Luci Hersey · Answer

Hi Sharron, you are very lucky that your husband said what he did! Mine wants to know every penney I'm planning on spending. He has no idea I want to do this to the shower stall yet. So far I've just purchased 2 new sink faucets, towel bars and toilet paper holder in the Oil Rubbed Bronze. I will still have to replace the faucet on the tub that is attached to the shower stall, do the trim on the shower, redo my walls, and get new lighting fixtures to go over a hugh unframed mirror that is over the two sink unit. I will have to do this very slowly. lol I will also have to hire someone to do the wiring etc. I'm sure he will fight me every step I take....He's a 71 year old retired man that is very tight with money, as he is worried he will run out.

Luci Hersey · Answer

God Bless your Great Aunt....She is right, but there is a difference between dying with money and not having enough to last until you die...lol
Right now my chalange is to find a good worker to do some of the things I can't do at a reasonable price...I'm sure someone will come my way. I'm not in a rush. I've been in this house for 12 years and I've been wanting to get this bathroom done since then, so I can be very patient.

Straight Nails Construction · Answer

I commend all of you for trying to update your bathroom/kitchens on your own. It will give you a sense of pride when it is accomplished, and kitchens and baths being updated sell homes when they are listed on the market for sale. Hopefully your hubbies will appreciate the finished product when you are complete. I would suggest to any reader to get professional bids before you start a project like this, then the conversation shouldn't be how much it cost, but how much you SAVED. Thanks for the compliments..just trying to do my part to help out.

Luci Hersey · Answer

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have one son that has his own construction business, but he is in TN and I'm down here in FL. There is no chance in getting him here to help out though. 
My older son is also very handy and able to do most things too, but he is in Maine. I just don't have any luck do I. lol

Dee · Answer

I have a friend who primed her metal enclosure with Rustoleum and then spray painted the metal. This was done over 3 years ago and it looks great. If you do not like using spray paint, Rustoleum makes a brush on paint as well.

Joan Gondeck · Answer

I used Rustoleum rubbed bronze paint directly over my faucet and shower overflow drain. That was over three years ago and it still looks wonderful

ROSIE · Answer

Thank you all. I have quite a bit to work with here.

Can you replace the metal on a shower stall?

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Can you replace the metal on a shower stall?

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