Discover how to paint behind a toilet without removing the fixedness , giving your bathroom a unlined , mess - free refresh .
The privy is one of the most - used elbow room in any rest home , so keeping it clean and update is significant — and the latter does n’t have to entail amajor bathroom renovation . A new paint color is often enough to revitalize any space , but unlikepaint projectsin other rooms , you must consider how to paint behind a toilet in a lav . The space behind a privy is typically difficult to strain with a received hair curler or paintbrush , and because of this , the awkward crack is sometimes whole ignored during a bathroom rouge job .
luckily for anyone who ca n’t brook the idea of leaving a patch of unpainted bulwark , there are several method acting for painting behind a potty . Some experient DIYers may remove the tank or even the entire toilet to get at the wall , but this is an extra dance step you may not have the time or desire to complete . The proficient news is we ’ve discover how to paint behind a privy without removing the fixture , and we ’re apportion the steps for executing the project so you may seamlessly repaint your bathroom .
Credit: Blaine Moats
Safety Considerations
When working with rouge , consider the powerful chemical smoke let loose and take care to prevent fume intake . Keep your infinite well - vent by opening window , setting up devotee , and wearing appropriate respiration protection . Also , consider indue in low- orzero - VOC paint . Protective clothing prevents paint from getting on your hide and makes clean - up a flake easier , and safety glasses block paint drops and splatter from embark your eyes .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Paint Behind a Toilet Using a Mini Roller
There are two principal method acting for paint behind a lav without take away the tank . Using a mini blusher roller is the easiest of the two , though there needs to be a gap greater than 1 column inch between the tank and the wall for a mini roller to move freely .
Ventilate the Space and Put on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Ensure your distance is well - ventilated before you begin painting . exposed windows and doors , and set up one or more fans ( including thebathroom exhaust fan ) to help vent harmful chemicals .
tire PPE to stay on safe while you work , including shut - toe shoes , long pants , a long - sleeve shirt , gloves , a mask , and safety glass . pick out wear that you do n’t care too much about ( it will likely get paint - splattered ) and allows you to move freely . Safety glass will protect your eyes from stray key drips and splatters , while a right mask will limit the inhalation of toxic fumes .
Prepare the Area
The most crucial step in find out how to paint behind a toilet is prep . If you ’re painting the entire can , utilise painter tape to cover the edges of any area you do n’t desire paint , like the toilet counter , mirror , or baseboards . Even if you ’re only touching up the space behind the lavatory , it ’s a good idea to apply painters tape to the mopboard and any piping coming out of the wall .
expend one or more drop cloth cloths to protect the bathroom floor , then take the lid off the toilet and slide a drivel handbag over the tankful . Tape the garbage base close around the toilet to prevent it from getting in the way while you work . This handbag will protect the toilette from paint without block the space between the wall and the tank .
Insert the Mini Roller Behind the Toilet
Mini paint hair curler , about 1 inch in diam , are pecker for tight outer space . Before applying pigment to the mini roller , slide it behind the john to ensure it fits without touching the tank and to test which angle will be the most comfortable for you . adjudicate slide the mini tumbler in from the sides or top to shape which entry point is most accessible to act upon with .
Apply Paint in Even Strokes
Once you ’re quenched that the mini crimper go and know from which angle to utilise the blusher , stream a small amount of paint into the paint tray , dip the tumbler into the paint tray or employ a paintbrush to contribute paint to the crimper . If the roll is dripping rouge , roll it a few times over the flat part of the tray to remove the excessiveness .
slue the paint roll into the col between the toilet and the wall , then paint in even strokes . Do n’t rush the process . Work methodically from the top to the bottom to avoid missing any spots .
Apply a Second Coat, If Necessary
After apply the first coat , inspect the paint job and wait 4 to 6 hour for the paint to dry out . While it will likely take at least 24 hour for the paint to fully cure , giving it 4 to 6 time of day will allow it to dry enough to apply a second coat . Allow the paint to fully bring around before resume regular use of the bathroom .
A second pelage of paint is n’t always necessary . If you suss out the rouge job and conclude that the plot of wall is adequately covered , you wo n’t require to worry about a second or third coat .
How to Paint Behind a Toilet Using a Paint Pad
If the gap between your toilet and wall is narrow than 1 inch and you ’re wondering how to paint behind a potty with such a tight fissure , a key pad is the solvent . While you’re able to purchase a commercially - made paint pad , it ’s also comparatively easy to make your own with a long , slender stick , like a paint ado stick .
assure your space is well - ventilated before you begin painting . receptive windows and doors , and coif up one or more fans ( including the bathroom exhaust fan ) to help air harmful chemicals .
If you ’re painting the full bathroom , habituate painter tape to cover the edge of any areas you do n’t need painted , like the bathroom counter , mirror , or baseboards . Even if you ’re only touching up the distance behind the toilet , it ’s a upright approximation to enforce painters magnetic tape to the baseboard and any pipes total out of the wall .
Purchase or Make a DIY Paint Pad
If the gap between the toilet and the paries is less than 1 column inch , a mini paint roller wo n’t check . In this case , either grease one’s palms a rouge inking pad from a home betterment store or make a paint launchpad at home . For the latter , tape or glue a flimsy microfiber rag to the close of a long , slight piece of Grant Wood , like a paint stir stick . The rag will act as the paint pad and the slight joint will make it possible to apply pigment in the mingy space .
Slide the Paint Pad Behind the Toilet and Apply Paint
Dip the blusher pad into the paint pail or a tray of blusher to assimilate a small amount . or else , apply paint to the pad with a paintbrush for better control over how much paint is on the diggings . If the pad is dripping , remove the excess key before you begin .
Once the paint pad is impregnate with enough rouge , slue the tool behind the toilet tank car from the top . Gradually solve the paint pad of paper side to side to cover the unpainted wall . Take your time and proceed patiently so you do n’t omit any spots .
This process , while effective , wo n’t leave the suave texture behind — though , with a gap of less than 1 column inch , the grain is n’t potential to weigh much or even be noticed .
Apply Additional Coats, If Necessary
How to Choose the Right Type of Bathroom Paint
When selecting paint , consider that the wet and humidity levels in the bathroom are typically importantly bully than in any other room in the habitation . Because of this , the walls are vulnerable to weewee scathe , mold increase , and rot if they are n’t in good order seal with the right type of blusher .
An oil - free-base or latex water - based paint is best for the lavatory , though you will require to study the external respiration in the elbow room before deciding between the two . Oil - base paint tends to be high-pitched in fickle organic compounds ( VOCs ) and has knock-down fumes that make it knockout to utilise in a small place . Latex water - base key is a adept selection for bathrooms with pitiable airing .
For the best results — and to stick around dependable while you work out — look forpaints specifically made for the bathroom . rouge market as washable , mould - resistant , and low - VOC lean to have increase durability , have anti - microbial properties , and are safe to use than paints that emit powerful chemical fumes .
Frequently Asked Questions
While you certainly can slay your toilet tank to get better access to a bathroom paries in need of repaint , you do not have to withdraw the mend . To avoid motivate your entire sewer , slither a garbage bag over the tank and tightly tape the bag to keep it insure while you paint .
crude - based paint and latex water - base blusher can be remove with denature alcohol and a tag end . For paint that ’s stubbornly clinging to your potty , gently scrub it aside with an old toothbrush .
