Ugly tub surround
The main problem is that it looks like the wrong adhesive was used when it was installed. It seems to have bled through the plastic and in some places has eaten all the way through. I'm afraid if we paint it, you will still be able to see these lines. Any suggestions? Oh, it's in our downstairs bathroom which we will never use to shower in. The tub is used mostly for watering large plants, cleaning large items and filling buckets.
-
Kathleen Mckirkle on Dec 14, 2015I think if it were me, I would strip it off completely. You may be left with bad walls, but repairing the plaster underneath and a quick paint over with washable paint wouldn't cost very much. If you are not using it, other than what you say, that should be enough to keep the splashes from sinking into the wall. Just an idea...........Helpful Reply
-
-
Suzan on Dec 14, 2015They have at Home Depot were you can get just that part and they do not cost a lot, put it on top of yoursHelpful Reply
-
-
Lynn on Dec 14, 2015My upstairs bathroom tub surround was really ugly and worn (Marlite) up so I painted it...just too ugly...I bought some marked down solid vinyl wallpaper and glued it down with carpet glue thinned out. I haven't used the shower yet but if it peels off I'm not worried there is Marlite underneath. The money is tight with us too.Helpful Reply
-
-
Janet Pizaro on Dec 14, 2015I found this site. addicted2decorating.com how to paint a surround tub.This could be your solution.Helpful Reply
-
-
Maidena on Dec 14, 2015You could also try smoothing it out with durabond 90 or something and spraying it with that stone finish spray. It goes on thick and if you get gray and it would look like a concrete surround.Helpful Reply
-
-
Pat whitmus on Dec 14, 2015I've seen wallpaper used and it was successful. It requires about 3 coats of verathane to seal it well. You can find headboard wallpaper on line for about $30 as an example.Helpful Reply
-
-
Pat whitmus on Dec 14, 2015sorry...word was "beadboard"....not headboard! spell check rewrote my intended word!Helpful Reply
-
-
Cathi on Dec 14, 2015Thank you for the input everyone! I've got a few ideas now, I just need to absorb them all and make a decision. I didn't think painting it would work since it would still show through, but the stone finish is certainly a possibility. If that doesn't work, I may just try to tear it down and put up some real beadboard. Decisions, decisions...Helpful Reply
-
-
Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot on Dec 14, 2015wow. painting would be like putting lipstick on a pig! If you're up for doing the work yourselves, it wouldn't cost too much (depending on what you go with). I would pull it down and put up hardi-board. Even if it takes a few months to save up. Do everything yourself and you could tile it for a few hundred. And yes, you could do a beadboard too, providing u aren't going to shower in it. You can find some great deals on Craigslist for people that have leftover tile, board, grout, wood, everything. Check it daily. But no way would I bother painting that. Put the money to better use.Helpful Reply
-
-
Cathi on Dec 15, 2015Yes, we've been doing everything ourselves. We're new at all of this, so I've been doing a LOT of research and trial and error. So far, things have worked out very well. We're in our 60's, so there are some physical limitations as well. Plus we both work full time, so it's going to take years to do everything that needs to be done. It's been quite difficult at times, but OH, so satisfying!Helpful Reply
-
-
Marion Nesbitt on Dec 15, 2015Just clean as best you can and put on the bottom of the to-do list. I think this project will be a gut and redo one. Just save up for it in the meantime.Helpful Reply
-
-
DarWat on Dec 17, 2015If you are not going to use it to bathe and shower, why not hang a beautiful shower curtain to cover it.Helpful Reply
-
-
Dianne on Dec 17, 2015I would suggest putting a colored glass panel that they are making for bathrooms. i personally would love to have them over my tiles but they don't come cheap, they come in very large sheet. I am having mine sprayed, along with the bathtub & sink, I have wall to ceiling cream tiles. Good luck with your decision.Helpful Reply
-
-
Jean Myles on Dec 18, 2015How about contact paper? This will cover it up since nobody uses the tub or shower except you. It will at least hide the ugliness. I can relate my home built in 1946 and I am also in my sixties with more projects than will ever get done in my life time. Some projects are permently on the bottom , some times a job just drives you crazy . So cover it up and at least it looks nice to you. Good luck & enjoy!Helpful Reply
-
-
Nancy on Dec 20, 2015A nice curtain and put a plastic shelf unit inside the tube for temp. storage if not using. My folks saved up and had the whole tub removed and a low profile shower floor with wall grab rails installed instead. It came with a one piece per wall unit and with hand held shower unit makes it disabled easy access for now and future. and the guy did it in one day. It cost them about 5,000, but it was worth it for a safer, bathing area. We are thinking about replacing garden tub with walk in tub at our house since we both have back issues and can't use a regular tub safely anyway. Good LuckHelpful Reply
-
-
Debi53 on Dec 23, 2015Check to see if you have a company in your area that does a chemical bonding process. We had this done in all of our bathrooms-tub surrounds and vanity tops 5 years ago. They are in and out in 2 days with no contruction and the results are amazing.Helpful Reply
-
-
Katie Lloyd Mansfield on Dec 23, 2015I would pull it off and use beadboard to cover the walls. If the tub isn't used for showers, beadboard with two coats of paint should hold up.Helpful Reply
-
-
Snapoutofit on Dec 23, 2015Get some quotes at Bathfitter or a similar company, you'll be glad you did: http://info.bathfitter.com/schedule/?&utm_source=ppc-nat-unbranded&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=surround%20tubs&utm_campaign=Portland,%20OR%20Corp%20US%20Search&cid=[cid]&st-t=ppc_unbranded&mkwid=sMmqw0CGB_dc|pcrid|104315444708|pkw|surround%20tubs|pmt|pHelpful Reply
-
Related Discussions
Vinyl plank flooring vs pergo (laminate)
I currently have stinky dirty carpeting in my living room and I want to replace it with a durable flooring that can stand up to dogs and kids.
How to remove popcorn ceiling that has been painted?
Does having a paint over a popcorn ceiling change how I'd remove the popcorn ceiling?
How to apply peel and stick wallpaper?
I want to spruce up my walls with peel-and-stick wallpaper. Has anyone used this before and can advise me as to how to apply it properly?
How to stain wood floor?
I've heard staining is a good technique for updating floors. So how do I stain my wood floor?
How to use marble as a surround over a cast iron tub?
I have a cast iron tub that is in an alcove. Wondering if it's possible to have a marble or quartz top placed on the top (with cut out of course) to make this tub lo... See more