Information on Bathtub Reglazing
Bath-ware restoration or refinishing projects always begin with cleaning and repairing of scratches and chips. After the repairing is finished, etching and bonding are carried out and finally the reglazing is done. A successful reglazing often depends on how well the previous stages of refinishing have been performed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Preparation of Bathtub
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Bathtubs of different materials are prepared differently for the refinishing process. For instance, if a bathtub is made of porcelain or enamel over iron, it will require etching in order to be prepared properly. Fiberglass bathtubs with a gel coat or acrylic require sanding and bonding for preparation.
Refinishing
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After the etching and sanding process, the bathtub can finally be reglazed. Bathtubs come in different shapes and contours. For each of these shapes, the finishing techniques are different. Some of the common techniques used for refinishing are spraying and rolling. Primers and acrylic top coats are some of the materials used for this purpose.
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Durability
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The durability of the reglazing is largely dependent on the materials and the techniques used. Finishes that use thermal bond cross-linked acrylic resin can last up to 20 years because they are extremely sturdy. This material is nonporous, chemical resistant and colorfast, which allows it to last for several years.
Materials
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There are a variety of catalyzed materials that can be used for reglazing bathtubs. Different materials offer different durability. Industrial reglazing systems designed specifically for bathtubs are considered the best. Some of these materials include acrylic based top coats and urethane and polyurethane based products. Paints and epoxy can be used to reglaze but they tend to come off easily.
Purpose
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Replacing a bathtub can be very expensive. When a bathtub is removed, the tiles on the walls and floors also get damaged. The replacement of the floor tiles and repainting of the walls is an additional expense. However, if a bathtub is simply reglazed, it is relatively cheap and increases the lifetime of the bathtub.
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