How do you paint behind a toilet?

Question

I am painting my mom's bathroom (I'm 15) and I was just thinking about it and I thought how do you paint behind the toilet? I'm painting it red with some stencils. Plus any suggestions, warnings or anything please tell! Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Good grief! Removing the toilet and/or tank is NOT necessary!!

There are products made to paint this area of tight space... like a 'jonny roller' -- an extremely small paint roller. The roller itself is only about an inch thick. I am NOT talking about a 'trim' roller... those are only about 3 to 4 inches wide.

There are also several paint 'pads' on the market that can fit in a tight space.

Just goto your local hardware store, and tell the clerk you want something to paint behind the tank... they will know which shelf it's on.

have fun!

Answer 2

The best way is to take the tank off. It's not as hard as it sounds.

Turn off the water valve below the toilet. Flush the toilet and hold the lever down until as much water drains from the tank as possible, then soak up the rest with a towel. Unhook the water line from the tank (it's a big hex-shaped connector just underneath the bottom, usually brass or plastic, just turn it with an adjustable wrench). Then unscrew the tank bolts (use a screwdriver inside the tank and an adjustable wrench to hold the nuts underneath). There will be two or three of them. Then just lift the tank off and put it in the bathtub until you're done painting. Putting it back on is the reverse of removing it; just make sure you tighten the tank bolts evenly (so it's level) and not too tight (so you don't break it). Make sure to check for leaks when you have it back together!

You could take the previous person's advice and move the whole toilet instead, but that's heavy and messy, and you will need to install a new wax ring underneath when you replace it. Taking off the tank is easier and doesn't require any replacement parts.

Answer 3

I learned this trick from a friend who was a house painter. Cover the floor for protection, first. Now get an OLD piece of carpet, not large. In the middle put a small amount of paint. Put the carpet, aginst the wall with the paint against the wall, and push it behind the toilet and pull up/down. Slow but it really works.

Half a laugh. He told me after I used a brush and slowly reached behind it. Unfortunately, many people forget to paint behind a toilet.

Answer 4

I have done this before and found that it was a TON easier to remove the toilet and then paint. What you will need to replace the toilet is a new wax ring from Home Depot for $5. This is by far, the best way to paint behind the toilet.

Answer 5

if you are 15 and not experienced in taking a toilet apart then don't do it. one, the whole thing together is heavy and you may be getting into more trouble then it is worth putting it back on. Just take the top off the toilet and paint as far behind it as you can using whatever methods that work for you. such as a clean rag with paint and a stir stick or a mini roller. remember unless anyone has x-ray vision they can't see behind the toilet. Don't worry about it. I would remove it though in a customer house but, i would not recommend you try it.

Answer 6

I would say very carefully. I would maybe tape it up with a cloth so you do not get any paint on it at all. That is the only thing I can think of aside form removing the toilet to paint that area.

Answer 7

Complete instructions on removing and reinstalling a toilet (with pictures) at the link.

I'd try getting by with just removing the tank. For what it's worth, I think it will be a lot easier to remove the tank than to use some specialized paint gizmo.

And if you local hardware store is anything like the ones I'm familiar with the pimple-faced high-school working there won't know the difference between that paint gizmo and Grade 8 left-hand double-lead cap screw.

Answer 8

You can remove the tank... first turn off the valve for the water supply... flush the toilet emptying all the water you can... take a towel or rag and dry the tank. Losen the inlet for the water to the tank and pull away. You might want to have a bucket handy to catch any water still in the hose. Losen the bolts left and right under the tank, when you replace it, you many need to put in new gaskets. Once the bolts are lose lift carefully and set in a place where it won't fall and break. Paint away... then reverse the process to reinstall. You may want to have some teflon tape to wrap the inflow tube on the threads before reinstalling the water supply. Good luck. Also, you may want to talk with someone at a hardware store and ask about any other things you can do before removing the tank.

Answer 9

I have just finished painting mine and you can just put masking tape near area on toilet itself. Get a small brush for the area behind toilet and lie yourself over the lid of the toilet to paint. Good Luck (you are doing a nice thing for your mum)

Answer 10

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do you paint behind a toilet?
I am painting my mom's bathroom (I'm 15) and I was just thinking about it and I thought how do you paint behind the toilet? I'm painting it red with some stencils. Plus any suggestions, warnings or anything please tell! Thanks so much!