How to refinish old cast iron bathtub?
You will need:
- The Homax bathtub refinish kit which you can find at Home Depot
- Rubber gloves
- Steel wool
- Painter’s tape
- Paint brushes & rollers
Can you resurface a cast iron bathtub?
Poskin also suggests sandblasting the cast iron tub to prepare it for painting, as this reduces imperfections and achieves a smooth surface. Whether or not your tub has been painted before also matters. Sarah Gibson, founder of the Room for Tuesday lifestyle blog, explains how she resurfaced her cast iron tub. She points out that if the tub had been painted before, it would have needed to be stripped and sanded.
How to clean an old cast iron bathtub?
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
- Heating the walls of the bathtub before cleaning will make it a bit easier to remove dirt and grime.
- Mix 1 gallon of hot water with 2 tablespoons of non-abrasive cleaner or soap.
- Using a soft sponge or cloth, gently scrub the surface of the tub.
- Rinse the tub thoroughly with hot water, making sure there is no soap or cleaner residue left behind.
How do I remove my cast iron bathtub?
- Jacuzzi Tubs
- Clawfoot Tubs
- Fiberglass Tubs
- Therapeutic Tubs
How do you repair an old cast iron tub?
0:033:15How to Refurbish a Cast Iron Tub | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell the inside what we do is we wash it down with an acid solution and that gives the existingMoreWell the inside what we do is we wash it down with an acid solution and that gives the existing porcelain a facelift. It's going to clean the porcelain as well as provide a tooth a profile.
Is it worth refinishing a cast iron tub?
The cast iron tub refinishing procedure also known as cast iron tub reglazing, not only is a viable alternative to replacement when the tub is old, stained, damaged, or simply doesn't look good anymore but has become the number one choice for contractors nowadays when they are hired by a homeowner to remodel a bathroom ...
Can a cracked cast iron tub be repaired?
Strength: Cast iron plumbing fixtures are known for their durability and strength. Minimal cracks: Although enamel scratches and can chip, this can be fixed, even with DIY bathtub refinishing.
How much does it cost to restore a cast iron bath?
How much does it cost to refinish a cast iron tub? For an average cost of $350 to $500—a fraction of the $1,200 to $5,000 expense of a new cast-iron or steel tub installed—refinishers can make an antique fixture look brand new.
How long will a cast iron tub last?
While porcelain-enameled cast iron is expensive and heavier than steel or acrylic, a good cast-iron tub could last as long as you do: a good 70 years or more! A cast iron tub can be a thing of beauty.
Should I get rid of my cast iron bathtub?
if it's in good condition, keep it. cast iron tubs are wonderful, and hold up better than the acrylic tubs that you can get now. they hold heat better too, if you want to soak.
How do you fix cast iron without welding?
There are several ideal methods that you could use to repair cast iron that does not require welding. Such techniques include brazing, the use of epoxy putty, and the use of cold metal stitching. What is this? It is recommended that you use ideal methods when repairing your cast iron pieces.
Which is better fiberglass or cast iron tub?
Cast iron tubs are more durable than fiberglass tubs. They contain iron alloy, porcelain, and a heavyweight enamel coat, making them highly scratch and chip resistant.
Is cast iron or acrylic tub better?
Cast iron tubs are extremely durable and require less upkeep than an acrylic tub to keep them in good shape. They should be cleaned weekly using a mixture of soap and water and a soft sponge or cloth. Acrylic tubs are very durable, but more prone to staining over time.
Is bathtub refinishing worth it?
Bathtub refinishing is worth the money if your tub is in good working condition. The reglazing process can remove surface imperfections, like scratches, shallow cracks, and stains. But if your tub is old, leaking, or full of mold, reglazing is just a waste of money. You'll have to buy a new tub soon anyway.
Is Reglazing a tub a good idea?
If your existing bathtub is already in pretty good shape but is covered in minor stains, scratches or other surface imperfections, reglazing is a good option. It's also ideal for certain types bathtubs.
How long does Reglazing a tub last?
10-15 yearsThe short answer is that a professional reglaze will last 10-15 years. The long answer is that there are other factors in prolonging the glaze and finish of your bathtub. Refinishing helps protect the integrity of your bathtub.
Is bathtub refinishing worth it?
Bathtub refinishing is worth the money if your tub is in good working condition. The reglazing process can remove surface imperfections, like scratches, shallow cracks, and stains. But if your tub is old, leaking, or full of mold, reglazing is just a waste of money. You'll have to buy a new tub soon anyway.
How long does Reglazing a tub last?
10-15 yearsThe short answer is that a professional reglaze will last 10-15 years. The long answer is that there are other factors in prolonging the glaze and finish of your bathtub. Refinishing helps protect the integrity of your bathtub.
Is Reglazing a tub a good idea?
If your existing bathtub is already in pretty good shape but is covered in minor stains, scratches or other surface imperfections, reglazing is a good option. It's also ideal for certain types bathtubs.
How much does it cost to re enamel a bathtub?
Painting enamel onto a bathtub costs $350 to $600. Much like reglazing, this process includes sanding the surface and applying paint in a color of your choice.
How to remove rust spots from steel?
Remove surface rust spots by scrubbing them away with a mild, abrasive cleaner and steel wool.
How to fix nicks in porcelain?
Fill the nicks with porcelain repair filler, using a putty knife. Allow the putty to cure according to the drying time noted in the manufacturer's instructions.
How long does it take for porcelain epoxy to dry?
Paint the patched areas with two to three thin coats of porcelain-epoxy refinishing paint. Allow five minutes of drying time between coats. Allow the final coat to fully dry before using the tub.
Can cast iron tubs rust?
Cast iron tubs are revered for their durability and classic porcelain-enamel coating. Over time cast iron tubs can, however, fall into disrepair. Two common problems that occur with cast iron tubs are rust and surface nicks. Rust can spread and nicks can lead to rust. Remove rust and nicks to restore the appearance and to prevent further damage. Several companies sell kits for repairing nicks.
How to remove paint from cracks in a wall?
Remove primer, paint and rust from around the crack by sanding the area using 80-grit sandpaper and a sanding block.
Can you paint a cracked tub?
Once the cracks are repaired, you can paint your tub using an acrylic polymer coating ( designed for resurfacing tubs and showers), available at home improvement stores.
Can you paint a tub with epoxy?
Once the cracks are repaired, you can paint your tub using an acrylic polymer coating (designed for resurfacing tubs and showers), available at home improvement stores. Warnings. Avoid letting the epoxy come in contact with your skin or eyes. The epoxy is harmful if swallowed, so keep it out of your child's reach.
Can a cast iron tub crack?
Though seemingly impervious to damage -- considering they weigh between 300 and 500 pounds -- cast iron tubs can crack with age. Because the cost of replacing a cast iron tub can run into the thousands of dollars, it makes sense to try to repair the crack before hauling your old tub off to the dump.
How long does a cast iron tub last?
But says Diane Robbins, co-owner of the franchise that resurfaced Jackie's tub, with proper care and maintenance (nonabrasive and bleach-free cleaners only), a refinished cast-iron tub surface should last 15 to 20 years.
Who resurfaced the bathtub in the Miracle Method franchise?
That's what Jackie Metropoulos chose to do, and hired Scott Ayers , a technician for the Miracle Method franchise in Ludlow, Massachusetts, to resurface the old cast-iron bathtub in the 1919 house she and her husband, Matt, own in Longmeadow, Mass. Their second-floor bathroom has a mix of old charm and new shine, but the mounted tub looks and feels weathered, with a green watermark under the faucet, several nasty dings on the lip, and a dull, gritty texture from years of improper cleaning.
What kind of paint does Scott Ayers use on a bathtub?
Enveloped in a mist of paint, Scott Ayers sprays an acrylic urethane enamel over the bathtub’s damaged porcelain.
What is Scott Ayers spraying on a bathtub?
Enveloped in a mist of paint, Scott Ayers sprays an acrylic urethane enamel over the bathtub’s damaged por celain. He protects the bathroom with plastic and his lungs with an air-supplied respirator.
How does the Metropouloses buff their bathtub?
Finally, he hand buffs the tub to a shiny luster with a soft cloth and polymer glaze car wax. Eight hours after arriving at the Metropouloses' house, his work is done. They'll be able to slip into a bath later that night.
Is tub refinishing cheaper than buying new?
Tub refinishing is far cheaper than buying new, and the results are great.
Can you refinish a built in bathtub?
Refinishing may be the most practical way of restoring a built-in bathtub, but for those lucky enough to have a removable claw-foot tub or cast-iron sink, the dream has long been to give it a new finish that matches the hardness and durability of the old one.
How to clean rust off sink?
Step 1: Remove Rust from Sink: The first step was to clean the sink and scrubbed the rusty parts. I used a toothbrush to clean around and IN the rusty portions, removing any and all loose debris. Food grade citric acid can be helpful to eat away rusted portions without scrubbing, just mix powdered citric acid with a bit of hot water, dissolve, ...
What happens when metal filler is dry?
Once the metal filler is completely dry (cured?) It’s time to file it down to a smooth finish. Once dry, it’ll lighten in color and look a little something like this:
Can you use epoxy paint on a cast iron sink?
Appliance epoxy is not regular paint – it’s super heavy duty paint with an ultra hard finish that can stand up to just about anything except ultra high heat (special appliance paint is sold for repairing enamel chips on stoves). It’s a perfect choice for minor repairs on vintage cast-iron or porcelain bathtubs and sinks. In this case, it’s a cover-up that will improve the look and add a few more years of usability to my doomed sink.
Can you remove rust from a cast iron sink?
Ideally, you can remove all rust for the “perfect fix,” but if you are just looking to get a few more years out of a cast iron sink with a death wish, you can do your best, leave some rust, and expect to need to repeat this process or replace eventually.
Can you patch a corroded cast iron sink?
Thankfully, I wasn’t the first person to need to patch and fill corroded metal – and this Devcon epoxy metal filler made the process easy. Working in about three stages – I had to allow each layer to dry before it added another in order to fill this very deep gap – I was able to completely fill the gaping hole in this rusted cast iron sink.
How much does it cost to refinish a cast iron tub?
The base price for the refinishing of a cast iron tub, when done by a reputable bathtub refinishing company, varies from state to state and depends on whether the tub is a built-in standard size tub or a clawfoot tub. For the built-in standard size tub, the average price ranges from $230 to $350 while for the clawfoot tub would be from $450 to $750 if it’s done outside and inside. Other factors like whether there are multiple chips to repair, excessive wear, or significant deterioration could also affect the price.
How much does a cast iron bathtub cost?
However, cast iron bathtubs still pose some important disadvantages. One of the main ones is cost. They are usually way more expensive than bathtubs of any other materials. A regular built-in standard size Kohler villager (one of the cheapest ones), for example, costs around $570, more than twice as much as an acrylic, fiberglass, or steel tub of the same characteristics and decent quality which range around $200 to $250. Other models of built-in cast iron tubs manufactured by Kohler at present, fluctuate from $750 to $1,200.
WHAT IS A CAST IRON TUB?
A cast iron bathtub is a bathtub made of melted iron fused with porcelain. This mix is poured into a mold that is located inside a blast furnace. The tub is then coated with enamel to prevent chipping. The result is a bathtub that is highly durable and considerably resistant to scratches, heavy impacts, and other mechanical agents due to its baked enamel coating. Its solid and compact structure makes it much more durable than any other kind of tubs and since cast iron naturally absorbs heat, this bathtub will hold water temperatures for much longer periods, creating a more lasting and, consequently, superior bathing experience.
WHEN WERE CAST IRON TUBS FIRST SEEN IN AMERICA?
Cast iron bathtubs have been around in America for way over a century already. They were seen for the first time in an American vessel in 1842. They were the first type of bathtubs used in this continent and were considered a luxury item in the late 19th century. Unless they were in fancy places the majority of them tend to be unsophisticated, in most cases simple and somewhat rustic until a Scottish-born inventor named David Buick created a process for bonding porcelain enamel to cast iron in the 1880s while working for the Alexander Manufacturing Company in Detroit.
WHY IS CAST IRON TUB REFINISHING THE WISEST CHOICE OF ALL WHEN ITS TIME TO REMODEL?
Due to the significant disadvantages of cast iron bathtubs mentioned, home developers nowadays tend to often opt for other alternatives like steel or acrylic tubs when they build a new house to the detriment of quality. These same weight inconveniences combined with its virtues, however, make cast iron tub refinishing the preferred choice for contractors when the time to remodel a bathroom arrives and the bathtub currently installed is a cast-iron one.
What is the material used in clawfoot tubs?
At present cast iron clawfoot tubs are still being made, besides but there are many other material options: stone resin, steel, acrylic, and fiberglass.
Why does my bathtub crack?
Acrylic or fiberglass tubs, on the other hand, very often suffer serious cracks at the bottom due to the constant effect of the weight of the user over their thin and weak body. Cast iron bathtubs, on the contrary, are compact and solid, a characteristic that makes it almost impossible for them to crack anywhere.
How long does it take for a tub to dry before applying a third coat?
Allow the tub to dry for three hours before applying a third coat if you feel like it needs it.
Where to tape shower tub?
You’ll want to tape around the base of the tub and up around the sides so you don’t get the product on the floor or shower surround. Be sure to tape off the drain and fixtures, as well.
How long does it take for a refinisher to dry?
While the first coat is curing, make sure to put the lid back on the refinisher. Allow three hours of drying time before applying the next coat.
Do you need to clean your bathtub before you start?
Before starting, your bathtub needs to be REALLY clean. It’s easy to want to skip over some of this prep work, but if you do the finish won’t turn out right. Ours was pretty grungy from over 40 years of use so we had a lot of bathtub cleaning to do!
Can you use non-abrasive cleaner on a refinished tub?
When cleaning, make sure to only use non-abrasive cleaning products with a soft cloth on your newly refinished tub so you don’t damage the surface. Now it’s time to enjoy your beautiful new tub!
Can you refinish a cast iron tub yourself?
Refinishing a cast iron tub yourself with a kit will keep your bathroom looking gorgeous without going over budget.