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You could probably say this about a lot of things, but tubs–they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. Toilets were assembled around them. These tubs were considerably deeper and thus more encouraging in relation to the baths you’d find today. The dominant color for bathtubs is white and it’s also nearly the sole method to go.
With the 60s and 70s came the investigation of bathroom fixtures in browns, beige, pastels, and so on. Despite these bad choices, tubs in this age were still quite well made. Baths in steel appeared while construction shifted to contain lightweights like acrylic, and like the cast irons, these steel baths were even occasionally sculptural and refined in layout.
Cast iron is usually heralded for its indestructibility, even when rust might set in. It’s a close relative in steel, in fact one would turn into the other. While steel is heavy, cast iron is more heavy, and baths made of these alloys ultimately well beyond their finish.
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For just these reasons, you might decide to refinish a bathtub. Any kind of bath can be refinished while those with a classic clawfoot refinish hope to attain a vintage feel. This post focus on the redo of an alcove bath, definitely the most often installed bathtub.
Tools Stuff Ability Level Estimated Time
• Utility knife • Acid-Based commercial cleanser Complex 4 to 8 Hours
• Putty knife • Acid etching paste
Baking soda
• Shop Vac • Plastic sheeting
Builders paper
• Wire brush • Masking tape
Polish pads and • Buffing • Sandpaper
Canvas drop cloth
• Rubber gloves •
Towels and • Rags • Two-Component fiberglass repair putty
Store towels or • Paper • Tack material
• Little combining trough •
• Plastic spreaders • Specialty acrylic urethane OR acrylic aliphatic polyurethane OR high gloss polyurethane and white paint
• Electrical paint sprayer • Denatured alcohol
• Caulk gun • Silicone caulk
• Plumbing tools
Tub Refinishing Considerations
Off Site or In Place?
As mentioned previously, cast iron and steel tubs are very heavy, and you’ll need a hand, at least three, to safely remove and deliver them to a refinishing works. In case of an alcove bath, one that’s “built in,” it is generally best to approach it while it is still in position.
A refinishing works may generally begin with a procedure called “dipping” or stripping the original finish. Once stripped, your tub may have a porcelain enamel employed before it’s finally re-fired in a kiln. Comparable coatings could be implemented onsite; stripping, however, is replaced with other means of prep.
Are You Going To Replace Hardware?
Working under the premise that once (re)concluded, you’ll have a new appearance bathtub. It might be worthwhile to plan for an upgrade of the bathtub’s existing drain hardware.
It ought to be pointed out, also, that the edges are typically the “poorest” part of any finish. In a place always subjected to water, ahead of applying your new tub finish, it seems sensible at minimum to eliminate the drain.
Note: Accessibility to the lower wall cavity behind the bath drain is necessary at the absolute minimum when upgrading a tub’s drain assembly.
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Because, usually, you’ll be working with caustic stuff and airborne paints, make sure that you’ve got adequate ventilation as you work. Along with running a built in bathroom fan, it could additionally make sense to open a window and utilize cross-ventilation by placing a fan in an opposing doorway. If additional concerns continue around your capability to work safely or use paint efficiently, ventilation gear can also be leased at rental centres or home improvement stores.
Prepare the Occupation
There are numerous approaches available for essentially preparing a tub refinish. Regardless of the approach you decide on, take great care during this phase. The steps below are common to any job preparation approach you might choose:
1) Remove Present Caulk: Remove caulk which should be touching the bath surface. Begin by cutting both the top and bottom edges of the caulk bead using a utility knife. Entirely remove. Sweep out or vacuum any debris that’ll make its way to the bottom of the bath up.
2) Remove OR Hide the Overflow Plate: Strategy to replace present bath hardware. If this really is not doable, and also the tub’s drain remains in excellent working order, remove the bath’s overflow plate. Be aware not to enable linkages to fall back in the overflow should you opt to remove a connected lever or drain.
3) Remove Drain Pop Up, Strainer Assembly, OR Mask: Remove as many of the exposed finished drain components as possible. Mask any finished surface that you just choose not to remove. Poke holes in masking tape to allow for drainage of water as it’ll be used in the prep period, or make an X.
4) Give the Tub an Industrial Cleaning: Using an acid-based cleanser, spray down the entire bath surface. Allow the product sit for five full minutes and use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub blots away. Because these cleaners are caustic, wear rubber gloves (or better) and a correctly rated respirator. Then allow the tub dry.
5) Mask Off the Tub Area: Using a comparatively strong plastic, start at the edge of the bathtub and mask off the alcove walls at least four feet. Mask both the inside of the tub as well as the face (or apron) of the bath as it intersects with bathroom walls. Do the same with the tub as it meets the floor. Cut holes in places where faucet or bath spouts handles may appear. Before spraying, apply masking tape.
6) Mask Tub Spout and Faucet Handles: While you might need to time this with the other steps under, wrapping tub spouts and faucets with contractor’s paper or additional plastic (cling wrap will work just as well). Alternatively, it may make sense simply to remove them.
Prepare the Surface and Also Make Minor Repairs
Utilize a stiff-bristled four inch stain a scrub brush or brush to implement an acid etch designed expressly for porcelain. Cover the surface of the tub entirely and let around 15 minutes for this particular product to do its thing. Wear rubber gloves (or better) and a correctly rated respirator. Wipe dry with store towels.
Options for Acid Etching
Some will forgo acid etching in favor of employing a bonding agent just. Others might use mechanical means to rough up the tub surface. This is accomplished by way of using sanding (aka flap) discs fitted to an angle grinder. While this procedure is somewhat aggressive, most concluding products are self-leveling to the degree that they are going to level out pretty over a “ ” surface that is scarified.
Fixing Bath Surface Imperfections
Grittiness and spots can appear after decades of improper cleaning on bath surfaces. Bleach and abrasive cleansers can be detrimental to tub surfaces, themselves working to etch porcelain. Green spots or rust can be addressed using oxalic acid mixed in hot water with talc to form a whiting paste.
Processors or dings must additionally be addressed prior to applying a finish. Blend of two -component fiberglass repair putty and apply to the affected region by means of a plastic spreader.
If necessary, follow with polyester or porcelain glazing to fill in little pockets which could show up in the repaired region.
Wipe down the bathtub with paper towels and follow with a tack cloth.
Elective: For a much more comprehensive cleaning, give the tub one final wipe with quick-evaporating denatured alcohol.
Caution: If acids weren’t used, just use or have been effectively neutralized.
Applying Finishes: DIY Strategy
Refinishing Kits
There’s a seemingly innumerable collection of refinishing kits available from reputable makers. Generally speaking, you’ll find varying amounts of dry times and quality with these products. Do your research before purchasing and understand that effectiveness may be informed by cost with time. Pick a reputable name and follow all directions closely. These kits should give a finish continuing one to five years with appropriate attention.
Assemble Your Own Kit
The topcoat is implemented using the same sprayer (make sure to clean it thoroughly between steps). When spraying, hold the gun about six inches from the surface. As you move back and forth, work using long strokes along with a continuous movement, overlapping slightly. Play around with a mixture of white paint and high-gloss polyurethane. Instead, spray or roll on a two-component marine epoxy. If you’ven’t skimped on prep, this process should yield a finish that will endure between 3 and 10 years.
Using Finishes: Pro Approach
Professional refinishers are numerous, but be warned: the products and techniques used plus their views vary widely.
Master Techniques
(There’s much discussion online about the favored sprayer type for this occupation.n general, choose airless and HVLP finished others.) Depending on the product used, each coat should dry 15 to 20 minutes before the following is applied. The final coat should dry for no less than an hour.
A wet sanding with 600/800/1000-grit paper smooths any imperfections. A car compound buffed into the surface using circular buffing pads and an auto polisher is used by some. Additional buffing is frequently done by hand. Glazing can also be employed with a soft cloth to bring up a more brilliant luster.
Once the finish has dried to the touch, per product recommendations or after two hours, whichever comes first remove from the job site. It is best to work with a utility knife in hand in case any one of the recently applied finish begins to pull away with masking. Work with attention over the recently finished surface. Package waste into building totes and dispose of appropriately.
Locate a Bathub Professional near you
It is frequently better left to a master while tub refinishing can really be a DIY job. SB Refinishers in San Diego bath refinishing is only one of the occupations that are most almost priced. Costs generally range from $400 to $500 and are usually packaged with a guarantee that is significant.
The most significant factor in hiring a pro for this job is the individual tech scheduled to do the work. That’s appropriate, don’t always hire a master based on the name of the business, on their system, or on their procedure, but rather on the actual person you’d want doing your job. These machinists ought to have the ability to create a portfolio of references and work. Request it and review it before making a decision.
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