Help me fix my bathroom please

11 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi Guys,

I've just moved into my first home and the bathroom needs some big TLC... I'm thinking of painting over the pink panelling? the only problem is I'm worried that the screws and beams that hold the pink panelling up will look tacky with paint over them>?? what do you guys think?? and what colours should I go if I do paint over it ??
look forward to your reply's. beginner

Featured Answer

carole

11 years ago

hi amber,does not look like there is a really cheap way to fix it,but while you are saving up to get it done properly,how about embrazing this "style" get a colorfull showercurtain and if possible a big mat or piece of vinyl for the floor

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Comments (68)

Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
yes I don't want to rip out cause theres a good chance it could be nasty asbestos!! if I could lay Spa Board over top that would make me very happy...do you think gluing extra board on top will work???
lucidos
11 years ago
You would have to contact the manufacturer and ask them if that would be viable. The issue is you want to insure the integrity of the wall behind before covering it further. I suggest emailing your pics to them and see what they have to say.
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I've had a think too (thanks to your thoughts @caitlinfurby). Would it work if the bath went down the end beneath the window (handbasin/end of bath currently there). The toilet stays where it is but the wall reduced to a pony wall. The linen cupboard on the right hand side as you enter the bathroom is removed, as is my sons bedroom wardrobe (a new wardrobe for his room can go on the wall in his room against the hallway). That new space is turned into a walk in shower. The cupboard on the left hand side can be widened a bit at that current entrance way to make a new linen cupboard. Around the corner from that, opposite the toilet could be where the handbasin goes or in between the bath and shower? The door can be a pocket/cavity door or just a barn style door to enter the bathroom off the hallway. The current door to the kitchen is actually hinged the other than the plans show but we could just re hinge it the same as the plans show. The first little box area on the plans to the right as you enter the kitchen will have to stay as that is where the fridge is. The window at the end of the bathroom is close to going all the length of the wall...don't really want window sill getting wet from shower hence why maybe bath could go there. Husband wants to have a separate bath and shower. Do you think these ideas could work? Means the plumbing can pretty much stay as where it is too. What to you think??
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User
11 years ago
lucidos and jdforney are trying gently and tactfully to say - don't cover it up until you know you are not putting a bandaid over a wound with gangrene. You may have a toxic mold or an Aussie species of termite eating your shower alive. Little leaks over time may have rotted wood under there that is waiting for a good excuse to collapse. Yes, you might get into asbestos. That's why you need to find out what the pink panelling is made of and what other products were used in conjunction with it. It would be worth the cost to get a contractor who remodels bathrooms or a home inspector to come take a look at your bathroom and give you a report of what he finds. Do more research into what you have. The reason I am so negative is that we started into a shower remodel and found rotten wood, mold and termites. The only thing we didn't have was asbestos. I sincerely hope you will not have any nasty surprises and that you have an easy job ahead of you. It's just better to know in advance what you are getting into :)
Amber Jade thanked User
sunnydrew
11 years ago
Exactly, you have to check the integrity of what you are gluing the new onto. Usually there are not screws. It simply is attached with glue and then caulked around top edges and all around the tub edge. If you do have any moisture already you will likely have mold behind the pink stuff. With help it is not that hard to rip it all down and do it right. You would then have to be prepared for any surprises.
Amber Jade thanked sunnydrew
User
11 years ago
Oh, and congratuations on getting your first home! I remember the excitement we felt when we purchased our first home! We raised our kids there and only recently purchased our second home. It will give you headaches but it will give you joy too! :))
Amber Jade thanked User
lucidos
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
@ Happyasaclam Thank you for that!

Ok AMBER do not get frightened here. Bang on the wall and listen. If there is no crumbly noises, unscrew a panel and look. If there is a solid wall there and no UNCLEANABLE yucky stuff your golden.

If it was screwed, screw it back on and call "the guy". Most likely your worst case scenario is the wall will need to be re-rocked with a cement board (which it should be anyway in a bath or shower area).

And yes, you guys can do that yourselves. If you can hammer and nail you can put that in. Most places will even cut it for you. When measuring the area, since this is an older house you want to measure L and W and do that in 3 places both ways to make sure the numbers are all the same on each flat surface. Such as the diagram below. Something can appear straight to the eye but be off just enough to cause you grief.
Amber Jade thanked lucidos
brickln
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
If everything is functional, I'd just try to decorate the problem away for now and start saving for a complete reno. Lots of pop color and some black- think Andy Warhol!
You might try decals or pinstriping- check with auto body suppliers because those would hold well and be waterproof.
I hope more decorators chime in because this is a true challenge! Industrial, garden, chic.
brickln
11 years ago
..
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
@lucidos.. great advice !!! @brickln great idea with the Andy Warhol ! that will work! thank you!!
PRO
MUST LOVE DOGS
11 years ago
Keep it funky and retro.. I would try to get a pink pedestal basin.. or a rustic open cabinet and paint it mint green, and nice shiny little white tiles on the floor… so cool, so retro, so chic! Oh and a pink plastic flamingo! Everybody needs a pink plastic flamingo.
Amber Jade thanked MUST LOVE DOGS
carole
11 years ago
maybe a new showercurtain and a decall will make the bathroom liveble for now!!like the warhol-idea!
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
@must love dogs!! im loving your idea! this is the look im going for thank you! I've just had quote on retiling shower floor and bathroom floor and its affordable!
shiny white tiles you think?? and love the pink flamingo idea
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
@Carole where did you find that shower Curtin with the lady in the bath!! love it?
carole
11 years ago
very annoying,but the french website onl;y says there are 26 different images for "shower curtain for girls" it does not give any links....sorry!!!i will try to find more info....
Amber Jade thanked carole
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
@MUST LOVE DOGS can you recommend any bathroom places I can pick up a retro/shabby chic basin & sink ?? ta
carole
11 years ago
hi Amber,sorry no joy on that showercurtain,did find this www.plowhearth.com,but....you could buy just a white bathcurtain and come up with your own design (one day,in the future,when you are not so busy ;-)
Amber Jade thanked carole
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
I purchased this of ebay yesterday???
Geneviève
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Nice shower curtain now lets work with it :) let me see if I can find an idea on here first .

Okay here I am :)
Looking at the bath tub I would consider painting the walls a very light blue or ivory /butter the pink can be easily covered ,to compliment the shower curtain replace the light fixture with a small chandelier preferable in black if I find another idea I will add to this

Elevated Elegance in the Panhandle · More Info

Black Wrought Iron Crystal chandelier Lighting with Pink Crystaleart · More Info

paint the vanity in black and add glass knobs .
Glass Door Knobs · More Info

Kassatex Le Bain Collection 6-pc. Towel Set, White/Charcoal · More Info
Amber Jade thanked Geneviève
carole
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
brilliant!love that showercurtain!!any luck on finding sink and stand?
Keitha
11 years ago
I agree with others... The paint will not stick to that surface. Instead, embrace the pink walls and blue tub by replacing the dated wallpaper with a snappy blue/pink wallpaper. To step it up another notch maybe you could install inexpensive vinyl tiles in a pink/ white checkerboard pattern. Add pink and blue accessories and all your friends will think you planned it all that way.
Keitha
11 years ago
Floor idea!!
carole
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
yes!!ohh,Keitha,that would be cool!!cheap and cheerfull solution..
carole
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
this decall one is availble on Ebay,and the rug is an example to go with the bleu bath and as the floor is now or with white tiles,but i really like the pink/white more,but hé,its your bathroom ;-)
Amber Jade thanked carole
Geneviève
11 years ago
It sure looks like this bathroom was painted before and it can very well be painted now ,just use the right kind of paint .
Amber Jade thanked Geneviève
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
@Genevieve love the ideas ! chandelier LOVEE!! will defs be putting one in! towel great but to expensive for me :( and basin black with crystal knobs? im going for it! cheap and effective.. good bandage
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
No luck with basin stand at the mo..im going to paint the one I have black with clear crystal handles and see how that turns out. probable cost under $40.. I defiantly want to invest in a fancy shabby chick style basin though. Just have to find a place in Australia that sells.. ANYONE have any recommendations??
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
@genevieve...... that pink board isn't painted its a plastic type cladding that's fixed to walls...I don't think paint will stick!!!
lucidos
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
When painting the cabinet give it a good 3 coats. Use a small hand roller it keeps it from having the brush mark look and turns out with a more professional end result. Make sure the paint is 100% dry before putting on another coat which may take 2 or 3 days between depending on the humidity. Sand any bumps, waves or lumps you may have created between coats. Speak to the people at the paint store and tell them it will be going over an old vanity in the bathroom. They will direct you to the best paint that is mildew resistant.

Think of it as putting on nailpolish. You want a smooth flawless end result.
Amber Jade thanked lucidos
soto01
11 years ago
Hi Amber Jade! Just a thought to toss into the pot. If you're sure that surface is a plastic, Rustoleum makes a plastic paint (also a primer to use first for plastic and they also have a liquid repelling treatment called, "Never-Wet". This paint DOES bond well to plastic but I don't know how durable it would be in a daily use situation. Please go to the rustoleum.com website and do some research to see if this cheap solution will help you put off the much larger renovation you need to do. Please use safety gear to spray it on -- no one needs to be inhaling any type of spray paint, etc. You could even e-mail them your pictures and what you want to do and I'm sure they will have much better advice on how to do it. You may be able to get rid of the pink and the blue! Go a lovely black and white.......I love the black vanity with crystal knobs! Why don't you find a 34" nightstand with drawers and retro-fit it to become a basin? It's not hard to do. Your husband could probably do it easily. You could use an undermount sink or even use the vessel bowl on top. It could look great! You can buy the nightstand at a flea-market or used from a journal. Just some thoughts.....
Amber Jade thanked soto01
springgg
11 years ago
Try http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/specialty/tub-and-tile-refreshing-kit/ this paint. It's an inexpensive major result fix for your space.
brickln
11 years ago
If you're sure you want to invest in the floor, go with the white tiles, Amber. Personally, I'd get a new vanity and sink though, because the floor will have to go on the next reno.
Love the shower curtain, and a chandy will be perfect! Have you decided on more colors- how are you going to tie in the blue?
Amber Jade thanked brickln
Geneviève
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Good idea shaunakate:)
J Petempich
11 years ago
I have a similar product in my bathroom. It is in good shape because the tub was used mostly and not the shower and this looks like yours may be the same case. I doubt that there is asbestos in the board because asbestos was used for fireproofing and soundproofing. You may want to research when times comes to remove it. As for now I would just decorate around it with some of the suggestions and save your money for a complete remodel for when it starts to deteriorate anyway that's what I am doing.
Amber Jade thanked J Petempich
J Petempich
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I just looked at your picture again. Is there a shower head in the bathroom? I can't tell from the photo. Is that why the board is in such good shape? The reason I ask this is because it makes a big difference if you did want to paint it. There is a big difference of a little moisture coming from a tub than a tub wall being saturated from a shower.
Amber Jade thanked J Petempich
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
@soto love the idea about making my own retro sink and basin! im going to look into painting the cladding
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
@brickln... im going to seal the bath white rustoleum product in the above conversation! hope it turns out ok..
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
@jpetempich yes there is a shower head behind the Curtin..
brickln
11 years ago
I had my bath professionally resurfaced, similar product, I'm sure. Looked perfect for the first 5 years. It eventually develops blisters, but it buys you time.
Amber Jade thanked brickln
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
thanks for the input @bricklin.. do remember how much it cost
brickln
11 years ago
It was around $350 then. If I recall correctly, I've seen ads for about $500 recently. This would be in the Boston area.
Amber Jade
Original Author
11 years ago
heyyy Guys...ok bathroom floor is getting tiled this week...do you all think white tiles??

also got someone coming in to apply 2pac waterproof laminate to the pink panelling! and it guaranteed! what colours/patterns should I go??? the only idea I have at the moment is a black and white theme....see pic...your input is appreciated
brickln
11 years ago
Can't go wrong with black and white! If you only have that thin strip above the laminate to paper, I think you should find something with a smaller scale than your sample.
carole
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
;-) looking good,love the black/white and YES to white floortiles...and Bricklin is right a smaller scale print or one with more white(if that makes sense..)
soto01
11 years ago
Black/white is timeless and also great for resale eventually, way down the road as your family grows. But I assume you will do the total remodel before that time comes (tearing the whole thing out and re-doing it right).
brickln
11 years ago
How are things coming along, Amber Jade?
niamhist
10 years ago
Hi Amber Jade, I think what you are looking at here is an old product called "Tilux". It's pretty common in Aussie houses, especially outside the big cities. If it is, it most definitely contains asbestos. But don't worry, as long as it is sealed it is pretty stable. Just don't go drilling into it and watch out for any bits that look in poor condition. It there are any crumbly edges it is really safest to get it removed. If it's in ok shape you can paint it with a good tile paint (e.g white knight white tile paint is a good base) but whatever you do don't sand it before you paint it. Bunnings will definitely have tile paint, maybe even some cheaper brands.

Anyway, we had it in our last house and it's pretty ugly but bearable! Good luck :)
Emma
10 years ago
Hi Amber, we had a similar board in our 60s bathroom. Big sheets like you have, joined by a metal strip over the joins and screwed together. It was asbestos, but luckily the 'better' kind as it was not loose fill or crumbly. Fairly simple for a licensed person to remove. I wouldn't try unscrewing the boards to see what's behind but would get a professional opinion on what they are - hopefully not too much hassle to remove if you are going ahead with the tiles. Best of luck with your reno!
gmpbeverley
10 years ago
I had almost EXACTLY the same bathroom....colour and all. I had the pink taken out completely, respected and tiled. I also had the wall to the shower cut down to top of bath size and glass panel put in with glass swing door. The vanity removed completely and a new one built with a corner basin. With me doing much of the demolishing under guidance it wasn't too expensive. Bathrooms sell houses, so do it well first up and enjoy it yourself.
christaline
9 years ago
I remember years ago being in a similar predicament and someone gave me some mirror tiles - I glued them on the the wall and thought I was very clever. They actually did look much better in my eyes.

Try not to spend too much - I think everyone's idea of a shower curtain will all the bathroom colours in it would probably be the best option. You'll laugh about it in years to come and you will love the improvements you make over time. Enjoy the moment, unless you're selling soon your ideas will change after living there, so change when you can afford it - who cares it's YOURS. Good luck, it's so rewarding and so much fun.

P.S. now we have a small bathroom, wall to wall tiles, dark grey on the floor and white on all the walls with a large grey tile up each opposing wall, tall mirror over the handbasin which reflects the opposite wall then a full length bath with shower over it. It works perfectly and looks great.
Katelyn Cody
8 years ago
I have a very similar bathroom and have been told it is asbestos... 4 different companies have quoted over $12000 to remove and redo the wall... How did you with covering it or replacing it?