How to Paint Behind a Toilet

Paint Behind a Toilet With a Thin Roller

Paint rollers are a great way to paint walls. But conventional paint roller covers are 2 1/4 inches in diameter—too thick for the space behind the tank. The solution is to use a thin, high-density foam roller that’s just 1 inch or 1 1/4 inch in diameter. Because you’ll cover the entire toilet tank in plastic, the area will be protected from smears or drips.

1. Protect Tank

   Remove the toilet lid and set it aside. Invert a clean garbage bag and fit it over the toilet tank. On the toilet seat side of the tank, cinch together the excess plastic and bind it with the rubber band.

2. Pour Paint

   Pour about 1 cup of paint into the 6-inch paint tray. Dip the foam roller into the tray. Roll it out dry on the tray.

3. Paint Behind Toilet Tank

   Continue the bathroom wall paint behind the toilet tank. Go as far as you can (about 5 inches). There will be an unpainted section directly behind the tank that no one can see.

4. Paint Behind Toilet Bowl

   You can paint the wall below the tank (directly behind the toilet bowl) either with the thin paint roller or switch back to the conventional paint roller or a brush.

Paint Behind a Toilet With a DIY Paint Pad

Another method of painting behind a toilet is to make your own thin, long-handled paint pad. Rolling paint usually produces better color consistency, but using a sponge or pad is another solution if you can’t or don’t want to purchase a thin paint roller setup.

1. Protect Tank

   Lift the toilet tank lid and carefully store it outside of the bathroom. Fit a clean garbage bag over the toilet tank. Pull the excess plastic toward you (the toilet seat side of the tank) to smooth the plastic behind the tank. Use the rubber band to tightly bind the excess bag material.

2. Make the DIY Paint Pad

   1. Use a utility knife to score a 1-inch mark on one of the paint-stirring sticks. Snap off the piece. Repeat for a second piece.
   2. Lay the two whole paint stirring sticks side by side.
   3. With the hot glue gun, stick the two 1-inch pieces of wood over the stirring sticks to join them and form a handle for the paint pad. Do not glue within three inches of the end.
   4. Glue the sponge to the end of the handle assembly.

3. Dab Paint on Pad

   Use the paintbrush to transfer paint from the can to the pad (the sponge). Do not overload the pad.

4. Paint Behind Tank

   Use the paint pad to continue the paint behind the toilet tank. Paint up to the middle of the tank. Begin at the side, then work upward, then back down the other side.

5. Paint Behind Bowl

   Switch back to the conventional paint roller or brush to paint behind the toilet bowl.

Remove Toilet Tank to Paint Behind Toilet

Short of removing the entire toilet, you can remove just the toilet lid and the tank. There’s no need to deal with the messiest, most difficult pieces: the toilet bowl and the floor flange.

The advantage is that you gain full access to the back wall in case it’s dirty or full of debris. You’ll be able to clean it before painting it with a conventional paint roller.

1. Turn off the water supply by turning the oval-shaped handle near the floor clockwise.
2. Flush the toilet and let it completely drain away.
3. Disconnect the water supply line.
4. From underneath the toilet tank, loosen the tank bolts by hand or with a wrench.
5. Lift the tank off and set it to the side.
6. Paint the wall with two coats of paint.

How to Choose the Right Paint for Bathrooms

The type of paint you choose for a bathroom is most important. It has to hold up in a bathroom’s extremely humid, moist conditions. It’s best to use a washable, mold- and mildew-resistant paint specially formulated for bathrooms. Consider using a satin or eggshell finish, both of which are easy to clean.