A review of Rustoleum Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit, plus how to paint a sink, countertop, tub, and shower for $100.
I get asked two questions pretty frequently…
- How is your painted sink/countertop/tub/shower holding up?
- How do you make paint splattered yoga pants and T-shirts look so dang good?
I’m lying about one of those. Can you guess which one? 😉
It’s been 8 months since finishing our upstairs bathroom (that Olivia mostly uses but it’s also for guests). So I figured that was long enough to give our DIY painted surfaces a good beating to see how they would stand up over time.
If you don’t remember or you weren’t around during the makeover, this is what our sink/countertop looked like before…
(Some affiliate links are provided in this post.)
And our tub/shower combo…
I was not a big fan of that beige faux marble, but we had bigger issues to deal with in our house, budget-wise, than this bathroom, so I went the quick, cheap, and easy route with a Phase 1 makeover until we were ready to take on a full gut job.
So I painted all of the beige with a Rustoleum Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit (4 of them to be exact, since 1 box will only go so far).
It was a suuuuper stinky, fumey process, so I definitely won’t be trying this project in our other bathroom now that I’m pregnant. For a timing reference, it took me 1 Saturday to paint the sink/countertop and 1 Saturday to paint the tub/shower.
You can read about the full process here with all of the tips you’ll need.
That first coat really terrified me, but it got better.
But maaaaaan those results were worth it!
We knocked out this entire bathroom makeover for just under $500 without any need for plumbing, electrical, tile or construction work.
So now here’s how it held up.
8 Months Later…
Still awesome!!!
Our countertop and sink still look brand spankin’ new.
The only minor problem is the drain could use some love. I never really could get it to shine up to begin with since some of the paint seeped under the painter’s tape, but it was rather old to begin with, so I can’t complain much.
And there is a slightly pink stain in the sink bowl from Olivia’s toothpaste that sat too long. I’m switching her to a white/clear brand now that I know it can cause stains.
I originally had a planter pot sitting on this spot on the counter that caused two small chips in the paint.
But I’m still very happy considering Olivia climbs up on this countertop all the time to brush her hair or brush her teeth or have pool parties with her Barbies in the sink and everything else a 5 year-old girl does.
The tub and shower have fared really well too.
Olivia scoots her toys around in here every night at bath time, and we’ve given the dogs a bath in this tub a few times.
The only damage to report so far is a couple of scratches in this one spot at the bottom.
All in all, I’d spend 2 Saturdays painting it all over again. Not bad for a $100ish DIY job, right? I’m just glad I don’t have to look at the beige anymore.
In case you’re wondering, the painted tile grout has held up beautifully too.
I hope to go back around the house every so often and share other projects we’ve done with you guys to see how they’re holding up.
Next on my list to update y’all on is definitely our laundry room vinyl peel and stick floor since that’s another one I’m asked about pretty often… besides how to make DIYer mama rag clothes look fancy. 😉 Har har.
Do you have any other places in our house that you want updates about? Ask away.
If you want to save this post for later, you can pin it here:
What do you use to clean the bathtub? I assume nothing gritty, but what about strong chemicals to clean up soap scum/mildew?
I use Mrs. Meyers Tub and Tile cleaner. Works great! It’s not super harsh but has gotten up all of the icky stuff just fine. 🙂
Pinned because we neeeeeeed to do this something awful in one of our bathrooms but I’ve always been so scared I’d ruin it. Thanks for the post/update! And I LOVE LOVE the new look of your site and logo!
I love to read your posts because not only are you very talented, but also, I love your sense of humor!!
Thanks for sharing the updates! For your grout, have you cleaned it at all since using the grout pen? Just wondering if it seems to stay cleaner longer now? I guess if it got bad again, you could just do another round with the grout pen. Definitely going to try it out in my bathroom and probably kitchen.
P.S. I’m also due in October 🙂 Hope you are feeling great!
I haven’t had to scrub the grout at all! It’s stayed white longer painted like this than our freshly grouted powder room floor downstairs with real white grout. Thinking I can just use grout paint on the real grout and call it a day. 😉 Haha! Easier than scrubbing.
there you go, you did it again. You took something that already looked great and made it look fabulous. I love thes new look/changes. WOW!
May I ask where you got the bamboo blinds? I’m looking for some to hang in my bedroom and I love the ones you have in that bathroom. .
Hi Abbey,
They are from Home Depot. The link with the exact one is here: https://www.blesserhouse.com/kids-guest-bathroom-makeover-reveal/
Hi thanks for this great idea! I am also painting the bathroom cabinets. Which order is best? Painting cabinets and then the sink?
Thank you
Lara
I would paint the sink first so that if it drips onto the cabinets, it won’t mess up your paint job. 🙂
Your bathroom counters look great. I stumbled upon your posts, when searching how to paint counters and have subscribed. ?. I noticed you have jets in your tub….did you paint the jet covers with the same paint or did you already have white jet covers? I am going to try painting my counters soon….wish me luck ??
Thanks, Stacy! Yes, I painted the jet covers as well. We have never used the jets since we moved in a year ago though, mostly because we’re terrified of what horrible shape they’re likely in. This was a temporary fix until we can gut this bathroom in a couple of years anyway. So full disclosure, I’m not totally sure how it would all hold up with jets running.
What was the original material of your sink and tub?
It was acrylic.
What color paint is that? Love it!
On the walls? It’s Magnolia Home Weekend. 🙂
Well done, it looks fantastic. Have you painted kitchen counter tops?
Not personally, but we aren’t against it! 😉 We have lots of friends who have done it successfully. I’m sure a quick search on Pinterest for ‘painted kitchen counters’ would give you some great results and inspiration.
I enjoy your sense of humor, tool. Also all your tips, contacts, and materials. You open my eyes. Thanks, Lauren.
We had our downstairs guest tub refinished professionally last year and love it. However now I need to do the countertop. It, like yours is the marble acrylic. Ours has horrid bright pink streaks thru them including the sink. (All 3 bathrooms and tubs too!). Willing to test this in the guest bath. Rustoleum said they do not recommend their product for this. Odd! I’ve bought it and am waiting for our plumber to remove the faucet and drain. This has inspired me to try. I did buy acid to etch the surface though and am hoping the paint will adhere better. Thank you for inspiring me. I can do this now with your support. Thank you!
Will report back when it’s done.
Does it have to be a foam roller? Or will a regular paint roller work?
Foam rollers are typically better with a project like this!
Great post! Bar Keepers Friend works wonders on polishing the drain if you want to give it a try!
I’m a regular subscriber though I don’t often comment. I absolutely hate my bathtub, strong words I know, but I never feel clean enough even though I’d just scrubbed it. I too had one redone professionally and I loved it, only it cost $500. I just ordered some of this from your Amazon link cause I decided that even if I screw it up, $25.oo isn’t too big of a loss, haha! Wish me luck and thanks for the idea! Dee Dee
Woohoo! Yay! You’ve got this! I will say to definitely open a window for ventilation and wear a mask. It’s a stinky job with fumes but it absolutely pays off. At least it did for us. Hope all goes well!
It looks great! How long did it stink in the house? We’re putting the house up for sale next weekend, and don’t want the smell to distract buyers more than the harvest gold tile! 🙂
I’d say the smell was gone in about 3 days.
Beautiful job. Do you think this could be used on a kitchen counter top as well ?
I’m not sure how it would hold up, but there’s also a product called Giani countertop paint that I’ve heard excellent things about. Home Depot carries it. That might be one to look into that’s better suited for kitchens.
Hi there! I’m considering painting my tub and shower with this stuff and am curious about one thing. The shower surround is a series of panels, which have caulk lines at the seams. Does this stuff stick to caulk, or would it probably flake off the caulk over time?
Thanks!
Great question Gina. This is definitely a quick temporary fix. It will not last permanently over the caulk lines. However, it should hold up for a substantial amount of time to enjoy the project and makeover.
Hi Lauren,
I just found your website a few weeks ago while we started looking for help in doing home projects. Love the site! And all your advice. I am planning to remake the second bathroom, and one problem I have is what to do with the countertop sink. It has a metallic band around each sink. I was going to paint the sink white. Would it be good to paint the metal white as well? Or paint around it?
Hi, Manny!! It is totally up to you. We have painted hardware in one of our bathrooms.