A cast iron tub is not the first thing you think about when looking for
bathtubs on sale. In today's world of
modern bathroom shower sets, sinks, doors, and more. A throwback to old world charm seems like taking a step backwards. In reality, it's quite the opposite. Refinishing an antique, in this case a cast iron tub, can save you quite a bit of money. It's a better option than having to replace a perfectly good tub that just need a little care to be in working condition again. If you have an old cast iron tub you were considering trying to save versus throwing it out. You've come to the right place to know how to refinish it the right way.
Prepping the Tub to be Refinished
Before you start in on your new project. You have to get the tub ready to be refinished. The proper way to do it is to carve out the caulk between the walls and the tub. It's best to use a putty knife to accomplish this task. Be sure to take off the drain cover and to cover the faucets. You will need to lay a new bead of caulk for your tub, but this will be better for it in the long run. Be sure to clean your tub thoroughly as well. Scrape off soap scum if you have to with a razor blade if you have to. You can even wipe your tub down with a alkaline emulsifier that is used to strip wax floors. At this point you want to apply a acid based citric cleanser that will help to neutralize the emulsifier. Be sure to rinse the tub out and dry it thoroughly before you rub it clean using denatured alcohol.
Covering Chips and Scratches
If your tub has deep scratches and chips in it. Applying a fiberglass putty with a trowel will fill these in nicely. Give the fiberglass time to harden before sanding it with a 36 grit paper. This will knock out any high spots in the fiberglass. Next use a 80 grit paper to smooth it out a bit more and make it even. You may find your tub only has a few pockmarks rather than any bad chips or scratches. In that case use a polyester glazing putty to fill in the pockmarks. Once it has set be sure to sand it down the same way you would the fiberglass.
Rubbing Your Tub Down
Use a tack cloth to rub your tub down. Next use a rag with a bonding agent to wipe down your tub next. This will help the acrylic urethane enamel to attach properly to the glass like surface of the porcelain of your tub.
Paint and Proper Safety
At this point you may want to hand the job over to a professional Once the bonding agent has set in for your tub. You will want to have the proper gear to protect yourself from inhaling the vapor of paint. At this point you will want a spray gun to apply at least three coats of acrylic urethane enamel. Give it fifteen minutes to dry before applying another coast. It could take an hour or more for the finish to fully cure before you move onto sanding down your tub so it's even. A 1,000 grit paper will smooth out any rough patches or bumps on your tub. You can even go further by drying off your tub using a couple of paper towels and using a power buffer with a foam pad to remove scratches you may have missed. If you want to give your tub an extra shine to it after sanding it down. You can buff it with polymer glaze car wax and a soft cloth by hand. This will give your tub an extra shine to it. Once you're done and have cleaned up your work area. You could even slip into your refinished iron bathtub that same night if you want too. The work involved with
refinishing an iron bathtub can take between 8 to 10 hours depending on the level of skill and expertise of the person doing it. Most of the work is usually just prepping your tub and making sure it comes out looking good. Extra care should go into refinishing your tub since the end result is quite stunning to look that. While it takes extra time and patience to make sure your tub is refinished correctly. The end result leaves you with a tub that not only looks new, but makes sure the tub lasts another lifetime too. Not to mention saving you the hassle of having to pay for a whole new tub to be installed into your bathroom while the old one is being hauled out. Refinishing a cast iron tub can seem like a huge project to take on. However, done correctly and with a bit of patience. You won't only be pleased with the end results. You'll impress anyone who comes into your bathroom and see how you've managed to keep that “retro” look in your home going for so long. Cast iron tubs were built to last, but they do require bit of care. We hope you decide to refinish your own cast iron tub rather than replacing it. You just can't beat old world charm afterall.
