re-surfacing bathtub

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This last summer we bought a 1970 something trailed to live in until we get our house built, ok, maybe forever. :) Anyway, the tub is gross. I have scrubbed for hours and used a million different things to try and clean it up. Nothing works. I'd like to sand it down and re-paint it. Has anyone done this before? What can I use to 'paint' it? I'm assuming that normal paint and clear coat will not hold up under all that water. Any ideas on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), December 19, 2001

Answers

Umm, this might not be what you want to hear, but, powder coat paint would (by FAR!) hold up better than others. It, however, cannot be applied at home, as it uses electromagnetic force to stick.. Im assuming the tub is metal. It cannot be applied to a porcelin type tub, but there is I am sure, some sort of baked on paint (enamal) which can be applied to those. Powder coat would work on steel, stainless steel and alum (I cant spell it so Im not gonna try). It would also, most likely work on copper, but that is not a normal tub material. Power coat, if applied by someone who knows what they are doing, should last indefinetly, and comes in all colors. You might also consider chrome, it is applied the same way, for the most part (I have never worked with chrome, but done plenty of powder coating) and would last almost as long as the tub, plus it would be easy to clean and be right pretty. I guess you might also consider just getting a new one, as both these methods would be in the 100 dollar range.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), December 19, 2001.

POST SCRIPT: Duh. If its fibergalss- I re read the post, and a 1970 something trailer would almost certainly contain a fiberglass tub, I would use: auto body paint or industrial parts paint, which are applied with an air sprayer. You could easily, if you could get someone to spray it for you, get the job done for 20 or so bucks. You can also rent an air sprayer and a compressor, if you have some other stuff you need to paint up, it could be worth its while. Industrial parts paint would last a long time, just make sure it has no lead content (a rarity anymore).

-- Kevin in NC again (Vantravlrs@aol.com), December 19, 2001.

We used an epoxy enamal called Klenks (I think)bath tub refinisher. It works but the prep has to be good. Clean sanded dust free etc. It self levels brushed on, I'm sure sprayed would be better still. Ours has lasted well for 8 years but is starting to show some age now.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), December 19, 2001.

Don't know where you are from. However, Dollar General Store (or WalMart) has something called ZAP!tub/tile surfacing. It will clean your tub. The one we had in our trailer, I was to the point of sandblasting or replacing totally it was so nasty. I had tried Comet, Bleach, 409, etc., etc., etc.. This ZAP took three times to spray and scrub but it looks new and is smooth on the bottom again. Please try this before anything else as the cost was appro $3.

-- (stephanie.wilkerson@experian.com), December 19, 2001.

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'm going to try the Zap first, then look into the Klenk. If all else fails, then I'll start bugging the hubby. Lucky for me he's a body man so if it comes to, we could use his stuff. Somehow I think I'll end up with someone's left over paint, but what the heck. The bathroom, ok - the whole trailer, is no showplace anyway. :) Thanks for the advice!

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), December 19, 2001.


I did this once for a friends rental. Fiberglas tub. Sanded it down good, finishing with 320 grit wet paper. 2 coats of the best quality industrial enamel primer/sealer I could find in a spray can, let it dry just to still tacky to touch. 3 coats(2 light, 1 heavy) of spray can epoxy enamel gloss that's used for painting industrial equipment. Painted each coat while the prior coat of paint was still tacky. Let it cure for about 4 days before putting water in it. 1st day cured with a space heater blowing on it. Came out real nice, you couldn't even tell it was painted. Looked at it a few years use and it still looked good.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), December 19, 2001.

should have mentioned I got that paint from Graingers industrial supply. I didn't want to deal with the overspray, etc from an air sprayer. I think the paint was about $9 a can but worth it. Graingers has a website at www.grainger.com

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), December 19, 2001.

Just a thought ...if you can't clean up your tub you could always replace it or put in an old tub with legs. We took our "modern" tub and shower out years ago and use the big old tub. Just love it !! You can sit and relax and Yes...even visit with hubby while he's soaking. My sister hasn't visited me in years and I believe it is because we have no shower. Or you could just put in a shower and do away with a tub altogether !!! Good Luck !!! Happy Holidays !!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), December 19, 2001.

I used tough as tile on our tub. Worked great and cost about 12.00. You can get it at Lowe's or Home Depot. You have to sand the tub first, then apply a top coat, let it dry for 24 hours, then lightly sand and apply a second coat.

Should last about 5-8 years with normal use.

You can check the label to see if you can use it on Fiberglass.

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), December 19, 2001.


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