Last year we had the floors in our bathroom redone and we went with black and white checker pattern. Not that the vent is very noticable (it sits up against the wall and the door, when opened, covers it for the most part) but I would like to make it blend with the floor as much as possible. Go figure, the pattern splits right in the center of the vent and now I have a "brown" vent cover with a black square on one side and a white on the other. I look at it all the time when I, you know LOL (am sitting on the throne) and debate to go with a black cover or a white one but just tonight I was thinking, what if I bought a white one and painted the other half black to really conceal it in the floor? Now my issue is, what type of paint could I use to do this that would 1. stand up to cleaning and wear and tear (I dont have to worry about foot traffic as it sits where it does) and 2. is it possible that a versatile paint that would work for my number 1 that isnt toxic so that the air that is constantly being blown out of it doesnt affect my family and me , especially when its heat coming out and not cold air
Thank you for any advice
Good ol' Rust-Oleum will do the trick. Tape off the part that you want to stay white, then spray the other half black. It will need several coats, but once it's dry, it will stay on there forever. Get they type they make for patio furniture - it stands up to anything!
Catherine C. nailed it: Rust-oleum will do the job easily! We've painted the vents in our bathrooms & they last forever.
I can't imagine any paint you get will be more toxic than the paint that comes on the one you buy in the store. I'd go with the white cover and paint half black if you like or just leave it white. I would probably just use some spray paint, but any paint, shoot, even craft paint if you have it lying around, would probably work since it won't be stepped on or put in contact with much else b/c of its location.
Spray paint should work okay.
You might just consider getting either a black or a white vent cover. You'll probably stop noticing it if it blends in better. If you do get a new cover that is metal, you can use any quality enamel. Two coats, allowed to dry thoroughly between coats, should resist chipping and wear for a long, long time. As the guys at your local paint store to be sure – they may recommend using a coat of metal primer first. (And vinyl or other plastics are much harder to paint.)
But if you do this, keep the old vent cover on until the new one has plenty of time to finish curing, preferably outdoors in a well-ventilated area. This can take awhile if the paint skins over quickly.
I had a door I painted that took over 3 months before I could no longer smell it. I used special "natural," low-VOC paint that was supposed to be low-odor, because I have pretty severe chemical sensitivities. I'm pretty confident that it's not toxic now, even when the sun is hitting it.
I'd go to a paint store where the staff is knowledgable, and ask their advice.
Yup, Rustoleum! Great product!
