How to Redo a Bathtub With Synthetic Porcelain

Make over that old tub with a coating of synthetic porcelain.

Old porcelain bathtubs are cast-iron frames over which the porcelain has been baked. When old porcelain gets worn down and dull, you can't realistically bake on new porcelain. However, you can mimic the look of real porcelain with a synthetic substitute, which is essentially a very high-gloss enamel paint that you put on in thin, even layers. You have to “de-gloss” the tub before you start, which is a chemical-intensive process and has to be done with the proper safety equipment. Make sure to consult with your local refinishing dealer before you start.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• Screwdriver
• Masking tape
• Tarps (plastic)
• Respirator mask (with face mask)
• Long protective rubber gloves
• Paintbrush
• Hydrofluoric acid etching solution
• Paint sprayer
• Porcelain primer
• Synthetic porcelain paint

Instructions

1. Take off the faucet, handles and all fixtures from the tub, using a wrench and screwdriver. Press masking tape over any nonporcelain parts that can’t be taken off. Spread plastic tarps around the tub, taping them to the floor and walls. Put on your protective gear.

2. Brush a layer of hydrofluoric acid solution over the porcelain with a paintbrush, covering the whole surface. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse well, leaving the surface deglossed and dull. Let it dry for 24 hours.

3. Fill a paint sprayer with porcelain primer. Apply it in a thin, even coat, keeping the gun moving at all times to avoid drips or gobs of material.

4. Allow the primer to set for four hours. Apply a second coat of primer in the same manner. Let it set for 12 hours.

5. Load the paint sprayer with synthetic porcelain paint. Spray it on in the same way you did the primer, in a light, even, smooth coat. Let it dry for four hours.

6. Spray on a second coat. Let it dry for four hours. Repeat the process for each new coat, applying four to six of them, until the tub has the desired look. Allow the last coat to set for 48 hours. Reassemble the tub.

References

• "This Old House"; How to Refinish a Cast Iron Tub; Kevin O’Connor