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 only kidding about one of those. Can you guess which? 😉
It’s been eight months since we finished our upstairs bathroom—mainly used by Olivia but set up for guests too—so I figured that was enough time to put our DIY refinished surfaces to the test and share how they’ve held up.
If you missed the makeover, this was our sink and countertop before the update—beige faux marble that I never loved but worked with until we were ready for a full renovation.
I chose the quick, budget-friendly route for a Phase 1 makeover rather than gutting the room. To refresh the beige surfaces I used Rustoleum Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit—four kits in total, since one box doesn’t cover much area. The application was smelly and fume-heavy, so I would avoid repeating this in an enclosed space while pregnant or without strong ventilation.
For timing, I completed the sink and countertop in one Saturday and the tub/shower the following Saturday. The first coat looks scary while wet, but it levels out and the finish improves after additional coats and curing time. The final results made the effort worthwhile.
We completed this entire bathroom refresh for just under $500, without touching plumbing, electrical, tile or construction—so the refinishing kit was a key, cost-effective part of the makeover.
Eight months later: condition report
Overall: still awesome. The countertop and sink look almost brand new. High-traffic use from a five-year-old hasn’t caused widespread wear—Olivia climbs up on the counter, plays with toys in the sink and brushes her hair there every day.
The minor imperfections: the drain never shined perfectly because some paint seeped under the tape during masking, and there’s a slight pink stain in the sink bowl from toothpaste that sat too long. I’m switching to a white/clear toothpaste to avoid future stains. A small planter once sat on the counter and caused two tiny chips where the paint met the pot—those are barely noticeable but worth mentioning.
The tub and shower have held up well too. Toys get scooted around at bath time every night, we’ve bathed the dogs here a few times, and the only real wear is a couple of small scratches near the bottom in one spot. Nothing that affects daily use or overall appearance.
Given the low cost and two-day time investment, I’d do this again. For roughly $100 worth of materials to refinish the primary surfaces (and under $500 for the full bathroom refresh), the results are a dramatic improvement that stands up to ordinary family use.
Other details: the painted tile grout we refreshed at the same time has also held up beautifully, which helped the whole room look polished and cohesive.
I plan to revisit other projects around the house and share updates on how they’re wearing over time. Up next is an update on the laundry room vinyl peel-and-stick floor, which I get asked about a lot.
Any other spaces you want me to update you on? Ask away—I’ll report back after a few months of real life use.
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