You can paint a shower floors, but you must sand and prime it before applying the paint. Sanding removes the existing finish and creates a rough layer, while primer enhances paint adhesion.
To paint over concrete shower floors, remove the existing paint finish, clean the floor, apply primer, and apply paint.
To paint over tiled shower floor, clean the tiles, cover the edges with tape, sand the floor, apply primer, and apply paint.
Does Paint Adhere to Shower Floors?
Paint does adhere to shower floors made from materials that allow paint penetration and adhesion, such as concrete. Paint doesn’t adhere to shower floors made from tiles or non-porous materials unless you sand or prime them.
Before applying a paint coating, the shower floor must be dry and free of stains, water, or soap. Paint won’t adhere and can peel off if the floor is wet or riddled with stains.
If the floor is sealed, remove the moisture-resistant top layer before applying paint.
Which Paint Types Can You Use Over Shower Floors?
Use high-gloss oil-based paint over shower floors because it has a glossy moisture-resistant coating that prevents water penetration. Seal the paint with a water-resistant sealer, such as polyurethane or varnish, to increase its durability.
A sealed high-gloss oil-based paint protects the shower floor from constant water, moisture, and other elements that can damage it.
Don’t use water-based paint over shower floors as the paint doesn’t have protective additives and gets washed off if exposed to constant water. However, you can seal the water-based paint to increase its durability and help it last longer.
How To Paint Concrete Shower Floors?
To paint concrete shower floors, do the following things.
- Remove the Existing Paint Finish.
- Clean the Floor.
- Apply Primer.
- Apply Paint.
The tools you need for this project are listed below.
- Epoxy Paint
- A paintbrush
- Wire brush
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Concrete paste
- Detergent and buckets of water
- A scrubbing brush
- Rags
- A paint mixer, scraper, and stripper.
1. Remove the Existing Paint Finish
If the concrete floor is already painted or sealed, remove the existing finish before applying the new paint. The new paint won’t penetrate the surface or adhere to it if you don’t remove the existing finish.
To remove an existing paint finish from concrete floor, do the following things.
- Apply a paint-stripping paste over the surface.
- Wait around 30 minutes.
- Use a scraper to remove the paint-stripping paste and the paint comes off too.
- Re-apply the paint-stripping paste over leftover paint.
- Clean the floor with soapy water and allow it to dry.
If the concrete floor is damaged or cracked, use a concrete paste to fill and fix the imperfections. If the concrete floor is freshly installed, allow it to cure for 6 weeks before painting over it.
2. Clean the Floor
Clean the concrete floor to remove dust, dirt, or debris that can prevent the new paint from penetrating or adhering.
To clean a concrete shower floor, do the following things.
- Mix detergent with clean water.
- Apply the mixture to the shower floor.
- Use a scrubbing brush and wash the surface.
- After removing the grime, rinse the surface with clean water.
- Allow the shower floor to dry.
3. Apply Primer
Apply one (1) stain-blocking primer coating to enhance the paint adhesion. The primer covers the floor surface and creates a textured layer that the paint can penetrate and adhere to.
Applying a primer coating is optional as it covers the floor’s natural look.
4. Apply Paint
Apply 2-3 paint coats over the concrete shower floor. Wait until one coat dries before applying the next one.
Seal the paint finish with a water-resistant sealer to protect it from moisture, water, and scratches.
How To Paint Tiled Shower Floors?
To paint tiled shower floor, do the following things.
- Clean the Tiles.
- Cover the Edges with Tape.
- Sand the Floor.
- Apply Primer.
- Apply Paint.
The tools you need for this project are listed below.
- Sandpaper
- Painter’s Tape
- Paint
- Primer
- Detergent
- Sponge
- Buckets of water
Important: If you paint a tiled shower floor, you won’t be able to get the original look of the tiles anymore.
1. Clean the Tiles
Clean the tiles floor to remove dust, dirt, or debris that can prevent the new paint from adhesion.
To clean the tiles, do the following things.
- Mix water with detergent.
- Apply the mixture to the tiles.
- Use a sponge to wash the tiles.
- After cleaning the tiles, use a clean cloth or mop to remove the detergent residue.
- Allow the tiles to dry.
2. Cover the Edges with Tape
To prevent paint from getting underneath the tiles, cover the edges, corners, and lines between each tile with a tape.
If you want to design the tiles to suit your taste, use tape to demarcate different tiles areas.
3. Sand the Tiles
Sand the tiles with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit) to create a rough surface and enhance paint adhesion. Tiles are non-porous material and must be sanded before painting.
If the tiled floor is already painted or sealed use medium-grit sandpaper (100-grit) to remove the moisture-resistant top layer before applying the paint.
4. Apply Primer
Apply one (1) stain-blocking primer over the tiled floor to enhance the paint adhesion. Applying a primer is optional as it can cover the natural tiles appearance.
5. Apply Paint
Apply 2-3 paint coats over the tile bathroom floor using a paint roller, brush, or sprayer.
Seal the paint finish with a moisture-resistant sealer to protect it from moisture or water.
Does Paint Waterproof a Shower Floor?
Paint doesn’t waterproof a shower floor as it doesn’t have moisture-resistant qualities. Some paints do have low moisture-resistant levels, but they can’t protect a surface from constant water or moisture.
To waterproof shower floors, use a waterproofing sealer. The sealer produces a transparent waterproof layer (barrier) over the paint and floor and protect them from moisture, water, scratches, and other damage.
