Can You Paint Plastic Bathroom Cladding

Plastic bathroom cladding is often made from UPVC, and is waterproof, making it the ideal option for bathrooms and wet rooms.

Bathroom wall cladding panels are incredibly durable and likely to have a long lifespan, so if you’re getting fed up with your particular style, you may be thinking about giving these panels a lick of paint – and the good news is, it is totally possible to paint your PVC panels! Strict preparation and application is required though, so keep reading to find out exactly what you need to do.

Tools and Equipment

  • Grease-fighting soap
  • High-grit sandpaper
  • Cloths
  • Acetone
  • Paintbrush or roller
  • Waterproof paint designed for plastic
  • Acrylic or water-based epoxy primer

Preparation

Dedicated preparation is the key to a good paint job when it comes to bathroom cladding panels.

You should first clean your cladding with a great-fighting soap, then sand them down with the sandpaper to create a better surface for the paint to adhere to.

The sanding will undoubtedly create dust, so wipe your panels down with an acetone solution to get rid of this. Immediately wipe the acetone off with a damp cloth – this is crucial, as any acetone remaining on the boards when you begin to paint will cause the paint to flake away as opposed to sticking properly to the plastic, causing bubbles and unsightly marks.

The final step preparation wise is to apply your primer, and allow this to dry for 24 hours before you begin painting.

Painting Bathroom Wall Panels

Using a paint designed specifically for use on plastics, usually water-based, you can begin painting.

You can apply the paint with a roller if your panels are flat, or a paintbrush if your bathroom wall panels have grooves or ridges.

Ensure you evenly coat the panels when you paint, and repeat as many coats as necessary – that’s it, your job is now complete!

Shop bathroom cladding panels online, or for more information about what our range of internal cladding panels, get in touch with our expert team!