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You can probably say this about a lot of matters, but bathtubs–they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. Bathrooms were built around them. These tubs were significantly deeper and thus more encouraging compared to the baths you’d see now. The dominant color for bathtubs is white and it’s almost the sole method to go.
With the 60s and 70s came the exploration of bathroom fixtures in beige, browns, pastels, and the like. Despite these poor alternatives, tubs in this age were still quite nicely made. Baths in steel seemed, while construction transferred to contain lightweights like acrylic, and like the cast irons, these steel bathtubs were even occasionally sculptural and refined in design.
Cast iron is generally heralded for its indestructibility when rust might set in. It has a close relative in steel, in fact only small tweaks in composition would turn one into the other. Cast iron is more heavy, while steel is heavy, and baths made of these alloys ultimately last well beyond their finish.
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For just these reasons, you might choose to refinish a bath. While those with a timeless clawfoot refinish hope to achieve a vintage feel, any type of bath can be refinished. This post focus on the redo of an alcove bath, undoubtedly the most often installed bathtub.
Tools Substances Skill Level
• Utility knife • Acid-Established commercial cleaner Innovative 4 to 8 Hours
Baking soda
• Shop Vac • Plastic sheeting
Builders paper
• Wire brush • Masking tape
• Auto polisher/buffer • Abrasive cleaning pads
Polish pads and • Buffing • Sandpaper
Sailcloth drop cloth
• Rubber gloves •
• Rags and towels • Two-Part fiberglass repair putty
• Paper or shop towels • Tack cloth
• Small combining trough • Porcelain bonding agent
• Plastic spreaders • Specialty acrylic urethane OR acrylic aliphatic polyurethane OR white paint and high gloss polyurethane
• Electrical paint sprayer • Denatured alcohol
• Caulk gun • Silicone caulk
• Plumbing tools
Bathtub Refinishing Considerations
Off Site or In Place?
Cast iron and steel tubs are incredibly heavy, as mentioned previously, and you’ll need a hand, at least three, deliver and to remove them to a refinishing works. In the case of an alcove tub, one that is “built in,” it is usually best to approach it while it’s still in position.
A refinishing works may often start with a procedure called “dipping” or stripping the original finish. Once stripped, your tub may again have a porcelain enamel applied before it’s finally re-fired in a kiln. Comparable coatings could be implemented onsite; stripping, nevertheless, is replaced with other means of homework.
Are You Going To Replace Hardware?
Working under the assumption that once (re)finished, you’ll have a fresh look bath. It might be worthwhile to plan for an update of the bath’s present drain hardware.
It ought to be pointed out, also, that the borders are usually the “weakest” part of any finish. In a place continuously subjected to water, ahead of applying your new tub finish, it makes sense at minimum to remove the drain.
Note: Access to the lower wall cavity behind the bathtub drain is called for at the absolute minimum when updating a tub’s drain assembly.
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Because, usually, you’ll be working with paints that are airborne and caustic stuff, make certain that you’ve got adequate ventilation as you work. Along with running a built-in bath fan, it may also make sense to open a window and utilize cross-ventilation by placing a fan in an opposing doorway. Ventilation gear may also be rented at rental centres or home improvement stores if additional concerns continue around your ability to work or apply paint effectively.
Prepare the Occupation
There are numerous approaches for essentially preparing a bath refinish available. No matter the strategy you select, take great care during this period. The steps below are common to any occupation training approach you might select:
1) Remove Present Caulk: Remove caulk that should be contacting the tub surface. Start by cutting the top and bottom edges of the caulk bead with a utility knife. Follow with a stiff putty knife and end with a straight razor blade. Completely remove. Sweep out or vacuum up any debris that will make its way to the underparts of the the tub.
2) Remove OR Mask the Overflow Plate: Strategy to replace present bath hardware. If this is not attainable, and also the tub’s drain continues to be in good working order, remove the bathtub’s overflow plate. Baths fitted with interconnected stoppers can be disconnected or disassembled, but because of uniquenesses in moving parts (especially with classic tubs), it may be best to just conceal overflow plates off. If you choose to remove a linked lever, be conscious not to enable linkages to fall back into the overflow or drain.
3) Remove Drain Pop-Up, Strainer Assembly, OR Mask: Remove as many of the exposed finished drain parts as possible. Mask any finished surface that you select not to remove. Poke holes or make an X in masking tape as it will be {used later.
4) Give the Bathtub an Industrial Cleaning: Using an acid-based cleanser, spray down the whole tub surface. Let the merchandise sit for five minutes and use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub away spots. Because these cleaners are caustic, wear rubber gloves (or better) and a correctly rated respirator. Then let the bath dry.
Mask both the inside of the tub in addition to the face (or apron) of the bathtub as it intersects with toilet walls. Do the same with the bath as it meets the floor. Cut holes in places where faucet or bathtub spouts handles may appear. Use masking tape before spraying.
6) Mask Tub Spout and Faucet Handles: While you might need to time this with the other steps beneath, wrapping bath spouts and faucets with builder’s paper or additional plastic (cling wrap will function just as well). Alternatively, it might make sense only to remove them.
Ready the Surface and Make Minor Repairs
Make use of a stiff-bristled four inch stain brush or a scrub brush to employ an acid etch designed specifically for porcelain. Cover of the bath entirely and allow around 15 minutes for this merchandise to do its thing. Wear rubber gloves (or better) and a correctly rated respirator. Wipe dry with store towels.
Choices for Acid Etching
Some will forgo acid etching in favor of employing a bonding agent only. Others might use mechanical means to rough up the bath surface. This really is done by way of using sanding (aka flap) discs fitted to an angle grinder. While this procedure is somewhat competitive, most concluding products are self-leveling to the amount that they’re going to level out fairly over a “ ” surface that is scarified.
Fixing Bath Surface Imperfections
Grittiness and spots can appear after decades of improper cleaning on bathtub surfaces. Bleach and abrasive cleansers might be damaging to bathtub surfaces, themselves. Rust or green stains could be addressed using oxalic acid combined in hot water with talc to form a paste that was whiting.
Prior to applying a finish dings or chips should additionally be addressed. Mix of two -component fiberglass repair putty and apply to the affected area by means of a plastic spreader.
Follow with porcelain or polyester glazing to fill in modest pockets which could appear in the restored area if needed.
Wipe Down
Wipe down the bathtub with paper towels first and follow with a tack cloth.
Optional: For a more extensive cleaning, give one final wipe to the bathtub with rapid-evaporating denatured alcohol.
Caution: Only use if acids weren’t used or have been effectively neutralized.
Applying Finishes: DIY Approach
Refinishing Kits
There’s a seemingly countless array of refinishing kits accessible from reputable manufacturers. These products vary broadly from epoxies to acrylics, spray-on to brush-on and even to roll-on choices. In general, you’ll locate varying amounts of both dry times and quality with these products. Do your homework before purchasing and comprehend that cost may inform effectiveness with time. Choose a reputable name and follow all directions closely. These kits should afford a finish lasting one to five years with appropriate care.
Build Your Own Kit
Brush on a suitable bonding agent,or spray on an appropriate primer using an airless (sub HVLP) paint sprayer (available for lease at local home improvement stores or rental facilities). The topcoat is implemented using the same sprayer (make sure to clean it thoroughly between steps). Work using long strokes and also a movement that is constant, overlapping somewhat as you move back and forth. Play around with a combination of white paint and high-gloss polyurethane. Instead, spray or roll on a two-component marine epoxy. In case you haven’t skimped on prep, this approach should yield a finish that can endure between 3 and 10 years.
Using Finishes: Pro Approach
Professional refinishers are numerous, but be warned: the products and techniques used plus their opinions vary widely.
Expert Techniques
(There’s much debate online about the preferred sprayer kind for this particular occupation.n general, select airless and HVLP finished others.) Depending on the product used, each coat should dry 15 to 20 minutes before the next is employed. The final coat should dry for no less than an hour.
Some use an automobile compound buffed into the surface using circular buffing pads and an auto polisher. Added buffing is often done by hand. Glazing can also be used with a soft cloth to bring up a dazzling luster.
Tear Down and Reinstall Fixtures
In case some of the just applied finish begins to pull away with masking, it’s a good idea to work with a utility knife in hand. Work with attention over the just finished surface. Package waste into building totes and dispose of appropriately.
Locate a Bathub Professional near you
While bathtub refinishing can really be a DIY project, it is frequently better left to a guru. SB Refinishers in San Diego bathtub refinishing is just one of the jobs that are most almost priced. Prices typically range from $400 to $500 and are often packaged with a guarantee that is significant.
In hiring a professional for this job the most significant factor is the individual tech scheduled to do the work. That’s right, don’t necessarily hire a master based on the standing of the company, on their procedure, or on their system, but rather on the actual individual you would need doing your job. These machinists ought to be able to create a portfolio of work and references. Request it before making a choice, and review it.
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