How to Repair a Nick in a Bathtub
Chips and cracks in your fiberglass bathtub can be not only unattractive, but also dangerous if they become too deep. You could call a repairman to fix your bathtub, or you could simply fix it yourself. Follow these simple steps to return your bathtub to the place where you soak your sore muscles--and an eyesore no more.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Epoxy resin
- Plastic applicator
- #240 wet/dry sandpaper
- #400 sandpaper
- Gel coat enamel (preferably the same color as your bathtub)
- Tungsten carbide cutter
- Hairdryer
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1
Clean and dry the area of your bathtub you are repairing. Use a hairdryer to ensure the work area is thoroughly dry, as epoxy resin will not stick to a wet surface.
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2
Smooth the area you are working on by widening the crack and eliminating any rough areas using the appropriate sized tungsten carbide cutter. Hold the cutter at the correct angle to create a V-shaped channel down the complete length of the crack. When repairing a chip, smooth the edges by grinding them and sand off any leftover rough edges with the #400 sandpaper. A smooth work area is essential to properly repair your bathtub.
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3
Fill in the crack or chip with the epoxy resin using a plastic applicator. Once it is filled in completely, remove any extra resin with the same plastic applicator.
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4
Allow the epoxy resin to cure (dry) overnight or for at least 12 hours. When it has completely dried, sand the area with #240 wet/dry sandpaper.
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5
Soak the #400 sandpaper in water and finish sanding the repaired area.
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6
Apply gel coat enamel to the repaired area and let it dry completely.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can buy a bathtub repair kit at your local hardware store. It will give step-by-step instructions on how to use each item in the repair kit.
When repairing a porcelain bathtub, instead of gel coat enamel, you will use enamel bathtub or appliance paint. If you cannot find a color that matches your bathtub, you can repaint your tub and give it a whole new look.
