Today, I’ll walk you through my simple, budget-friendly, and surprisingly brilliant method to paint a towel bar—a project that completely transformed the look of my bathroom without breaking the bank. Whether your towel bar is tired and tarnished or just doesn’t match your updated décor, don’t toss it—revive it! With the right prep work and materials, you can breathe new life into your old hardware and make it shine like new.
Table of Contents
Why I Decided to Paint a Towel Bar
Recently, I updated the drawer pulls in my bathroom to a brushed gold tone. But my old towel holder? It didn’t quite match. Rather than spend money on a brand-new towel bar, I thought—why not just paint it? This DIY route saved money, gave me creative control, and gave my bathroom a cohesive look. And honestly, the results exceeded my expectations.
Prepping to Paint a Towel Bar
The secret to a lasting finish when you paint a towel bar is all in the prep. Here’s how I got started:
- Disassemble the Parts: I took apart the towel bar to make sure I could reach every surface. You want to paint evenly and avoid awkward lines or missed spots.
- Degrease and Clean: I used acetone to remove grease, dirt, and old residue. This step is crucial for getting paint to stick.
- De-gloss the Surface: After cleaning, I wiped everything down with a liquid de-glosser—sometimes called liquid sandpaper. This step roughens up the finish just enough to help the primer adhere better.
- Protect Threads: I taped off the threaded parts that connect the bar to the wall mounts. You don’t want paint clogging up anything that screws together.
- Country of Origin:United States
- Package length:8.89″
- Package width:9.65″
- Package height:15.24″
Last update on 2025-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Priming for Perfection
I didn’t stop with just one primer. I used two types to ensure strong adhesion and durability:
- Self-Etching Primer: This sticks especially well to metal and provides a solid base layer.
- Bonding Primer: Probably not absolutely necessary, but I added it to create an even stronger bond between the base and topcoat.
Both primers went on with light dusting coats. It’s better to do multiple thin coats than one thick one to avoid drips and runs. I let each layer dry for 10 to 15 minutes before reapplying.
To help with drying and access, I suspended the bar on a string so I could rotate it while spraying. It made the job cleaner and more efficient.
- Primer helps bond any top coat paint to even the most difficult of automotive surfaces
- Professional grade formula seals and protects surfaces while creating the ideal surface for coating
- Dries to the touch in 30 minutes and covers up to 10-12 sq. ft. per can
- Creates a lasting bond to bumpers, trim, plastics, fiberglass, galvanized steel, aluminum and more
- Flat finish spray creates a smooth, ready-to-coat surface for superior adhesion
Last update on 2025-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Time to Paint That Towel Bar!
With the priming done, it was finally time to paint. I chose a bright gold metallic spray paint to match my new hardware. Like with the primers, I applied the paint in light, even coats. After two coats, I could already see the transformation. The gold really popped and gave the towel bar a brand-new life.
Once the final coat dried, I followed it up with a clear enamel topcoat to protect the finish. This helps prevent scratches, fingerprints, and water damage—pretty important for anything that lives in a bathroom.
- Weather and corrosion resistant coating protects exterior/interior surfaces like wood, metal, concrete, masonry and more
- Oil-based formula provides a durable protective coating with excellent rust prevention
- Dries to touch in 2-4 hours and covers up to 15 sq. ft
- Excellent resistance to abrasion, fading and chipping
- Glossy finish provides a fresh shine to surfaces
Last update on 2025-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Final Result
Once everything dried, I reassembled the parts and mounted the towel bar back on the wall. The result? A complete transformation. It looked like something straight out of a high-end catalog.
Sure, I had a small run in the paint, but it’s hardly noticeable and easily fixable if I ever get picky. Overall, I’m thrilled with how it turned out.
Why You Should Paint a Towel Bar Too
If you’re considering a small bathroom upgrade, paint a towel bar before spending money on new hardware. It’s fast, affordable, and surprisingly fun. Plus, it adds a custom touch that store-bought options often lack.
Just remember—clean thoroughly, prime carefully, and don’t rush the drying process. Your towel bar deserves the full spa treatment!
So go ahead, grab that old hardware, and paint a towel bar today. You’ll be amazed at how this simple trick can breathe new life into your bathroom.
