Due to various factors, most toilet seats’ gleaming glossy finish and paint will undoubtedly wear off over time.
Bleach or acidic agents we use daily to clean our toilet seats are some of the factors that negatively affect the surface of a toilet seat.
Furthermore, constant contact with water can deteriorate the paint and varnish on most wooden toilet seats. If the surface of your toilet looks dull, greyish, or stained, you may be thinking of replacing it.
But did you know that you can easily paint your toilet seat with a few simple steps that will make your toilet seat and lid look brand new?
A repainted toilet seat can retain its glossy white finish and last more than a year, which will be less expensive than purchasing a new toilet seat. Keep in mind, however, that you can only paint a toilet seat made of wood or plastic.
In this post, we will cover:
- How to pain a wooden and plastic toilet seats.
- How to clean a painted toilet seat.
- Which toilet seats cannot be repainted?
- Can you paint a toilet a different color other than white?
- Does bleach ruin toilet seat?
Table of Contents
How to Paint a Wooden and Plastic Toilet Seats
Before painting your toilet seat, choose a paint that can withstand constant exposure to water, adhesion, and friction.
Here is a comprehensive guide to learning more about the best paint for plastic toilet seats.
It is also necessary to properly prepare your toilet seat so that the paint adheres to the surface and you do not have to deal with chipped or peeling paint.
If you can, you should paint your toilet seat outside instead of indoors to reduce your likelihood of inhaling the hydrofluorocarbons paint odor.
Before painting your toilet seat, you will need to collect the following items:
- Personal protective gear (goggles, gloves, and a ventilation mask if you will be working in an enclosed space).
- Multi-Surface Painters’ tape.
- Fine-grit sandpaper.
- Paintbrush or spray paint.
- Rugs or old newspapers.
- Primer.
- Spray Paint.
- Scrub brush and a disinfectant cleaner.
Wooden and plastic toilet seats are the easiest to paint and do an overall toilet seat makeover because most paints adhere easily to these surfaces.
Follow the instructions below to paint your wooden or plastic toilet seat.
Step 1: Remove the toilet bolts and nuts and place them on a rug or a piece of old newspaper.
Step 2: Clean the removed toilet seat and lid with toilet cleaners and a soft scrub brush to remove any dirt that might have been stuck in any crevices.
Ensure that you rinse the toilet seat well and dry the surface with a rag. You could also opt to sanitize the toilet seat with a disinfectant if it has not been cleaned recently.
Step 3: Using the painter’s tape, cover any parts of the toilet seat and its lid that you do not want to paint. This might include the hinges, bolts, or any other areas on the toilet seat part that you don’t need to paint.
You could also use painter’s tape to create a design if you are using more than one paint color. While this might be additional work, it could end up looking like a worthwhile DIY project.
Step 4: Using fine-grit sandpaper, sand down the toilet seat and lid. The process will remove any dirt, paint, or glossy coating from the surface of the toilet seat, making it easier for the new paint to adhere.
Ensure that you wipe the surface of the toilet seat and the lid with a damp rag or sponge. This will remove all the paint particles on the surface of the toilet seat.
This will reduce the risk of dealing with texturized surfaces caused by painting over tiny pieces of paint particles.
Step 5: Spread out a few newspapers on the floor or the surface where you will be painting to avoid spills. Then place the toilet seat and lid cover on the newspapers.
Step 6:
Painting Wooden Toilet Seat
A spray primer is the best choice for this project because it is compatible and quickly penetrates the cracks and crevices in a wooden toilet seat.
Start by shaking the spray can then spray several coats on the toilet seat. Ensure you spray both sides of the toilet seat and the lid with the primer.
Spray from different angles with a back-and-forth sweeping motion to ensure that all crevices are covered. After spraying one side, you can wait a few minutes before turning the seat and lid to spray the other side.
Allow the painted wooden toilet seat to dry in an open area for an hour or more. Then reattach it to the toilet bowl, and there you have it, your beautifully painted toilet seat that looks brand new.
Painting Plastic Toilet Seat
Repeat the previous step stated above with the plastic toilet seat, lightly spraying the lid and seat with paint. Allow the primer coat to dry completely before applying another coat of paint. This will make your plastic toilet seat appear clean and new.
You can spray two coatings for proper coverage. Avoid over-spray painting the surface, as this will create a “cakey” look that will be susceptible to chipping.
Allow the toilet seat to dry in a well-ventilated area. This will allow the paint to adhere properly to the toilet seat surface.
Finally, reassemble the seat on the bowl with the bolts and nuts.
Read: Toilet Seat Replacement
How to clean a painted toilet seat
Now that you’ve painted your toilet seat and it looks great, you might be wondering how to care for it so that it keeps its gleaming brand-new look for a more extended period of time.
A painted toilet seat, like many other toilet items in your bathroom, requires special handling and cleaning in order to last longer and serve you better. The proper way to clean a painted toilet seat is with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
To remove all dry spills and urine stains, wash the toilet seat on the top surface and underneath where the bumpers grip are. Clean the toilet seat’s top lid and hinges as well. After thoroughly cleaning the seat, allow it to air dry completely.
This cleaning should be done once a week to ensure that your seat does not stain from hard water, urine, or dirt.
Which Toilet Seat Types Cannot be Repainted and Why?
Toilet seats with padding cannot be painted. The paint will not adhere to the vinyl padding on the toilet seat. This means that if you paint a padded toilet seat, the paint may chip. You will most likely notice cracks on the toilet seat a few days after painting it.
If you have a padded toilet seat, you can apply measures to protect the toilet seat. You can use neutral or mild soap with a damp sponge to clean the toilet seat.
You could also use clean water and a soft cloth to wipe the toilet seat after cleaning it with soap and water. This will eliminate any residual soap that might have accumulated on the toilet seat.
Can you paint a toilet a different color other than white?
Toilet seats can be painted in a variety of colors, including white, tan, light blue, green, off-white, and yellow, to name a few. However, white is the most common color on most toilet seats.
Any color can be used as long as it complements your bathroom’s interior design.
Can bleach ruined a toilet seats?
This is a debate that has raged for a long time. Yes, bleach will discolor your toilet seat’s glossy white surface. The bleach’s agents are so potent that they will destroy the white surface of the toilet seat and lid.
The best and most recommended method for cleaning your toilet seat is to use a non-chemical cleaner or mild soap that is strong enough to dissolve all of the dry stains and dirt on the surface.
Conclusion
Repainting your toilet seat can significantly prolong the longevity of your toilet seat and eliminate the need to replace the seat after you have used it for a few years. It is important to use the right kind of primer and paint to ensure that you obtain great results.
Another tip is to wait until the end of the warranty of your toilet seat before repainting it. This will ensure that you do not break the terms of the warranty.
Recommended:- How to Repair a Cracked Toilet Seat
How do you fix a discolored toilet seat?
I understand how horrible an unclean or stained toilet seat might appear, as it ultimately reveals to any visitor using the restroom the type of person you are.
So we always do our best to keep the toilet, toilet seat, and lid clean at all times; even if there is a small stain on the surface of the seat, we do our best to remove it.
That is why it is critical to understand some of the most straightforward techniques and tricks for cleaning soiled or discolored toilet seats.
Here are some basic DIY (Do it yourself) ideas and tricks to help your stained toilet seat and lid preserve their glossy appearance and surface.
Regular cleaning of the toilet seat and lid is necessary to avoid dirt, hard water stains, and urine stains from forming on the surface of the toilet seat.
Suppose the surface of your toilet seat is stained and discolored due to urine and hard water stains. In that case, the recommended remedy is to use vinegar and baking soda, which are very successful at removing any stain on the surface of the porcelain or plastic toilet seat.
This remedy can do wonders and eliminate all the stains and discolored on the surface of the toilet seat with a measurement of one cup of vinegar, two tablespoons of baking soda, and two cups of water.
Simply apply the solution to the discolored area and let it soak for an hour or more to soften the stain, then rub gently with clean water to remove all of the loose stains. Do this every week to remove any stubborn stains and prevent more from forming.
How long is a toilet seat supposed to last?
Toilet seats have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years if properly cared for; however, cheap toilet seats will not last more than a year due to the material and toilet seat mechanism, both of which play an important role in the longevity of the toilet seat.
The best toilet seat has essential functionalities that not only make it last longer but also improve the user experience.
These are:
Slow close mechanism
Most modern toilet seats have an inbuilt slow close mechanism, which allows the lid to close gently and prevents it from slamming into the toilet. This not only protects the toilet seat from potential breakages, but also prevents finger pinching, which is common when youngsters close the toilet after usage.
Stain and UV light resistant
The toilet seat has a glossy finish that prevents germs and dirt from sticking to the surface of the toilet seats, as well as being UV light resistant. The glossy surface makes cleaning the seat and lid easy, as one can clean all the germs and dirt sticking to the surface of the toilet seat with wet soft clothe.
Material
Toilet seats are readily available in plastic or wood. Although more expensive, hardwood toilet seats tend to last longer than plastic-made toilet seats and can last for more than 7 years.