How to Refinish a Clawfoot Tub

While a pristine clawfoot tub can be described as a work of art, one in need of repair is often an eyesore. Refinishing a clawfoot tub to its original beauty is not an easy job and most certainly not for the average do-it-yourselfer. With the right equipment and supplies, however, plus a lot of patience and extra time, it can be restored to a timeless work of art that will bring joy for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Wire brush Paint thinner Eye protection Respirator mask Rubber gloves Stripping solvent Sandpaper, course and fine grit Hand sander Sand blaster Polyester coating Paint brush Enamel finish Paint sprayer Paint brush Hydrofluoric acid Body filler Putty knife Epoxy primer Primer Tub glaze

Instructions

1. Read instructions on all refinishing supplies before starting.

2. Gently brush tub feet with a wire brush to remove rust and debris. Wipe with paint thinner first to loosen dirt.

3. Brush on solvent stripper to remove excess paint. Allow to feet sit a few minutes before wiping clean. Repeat process until all paint is removed from tub feet.

4. Spray on metal primer and let dry before painting feet.

5. Paint the tub feet with two or three coats of the color of your choice.

6. Wipe outside of tub with a damp rag to remove dirt. Apply a solvent stripper to cleaned surface. Allow stripper to sit for several minutes before wiping area clean. Repeat this process if necessary.

7. Use sandpaper or a sand blaster if paint is difficult to remove.

8. Sand the outside surface smooth with a fine-grit sandpaper.

9. Apply polyester coating to the outside of tub. Let area dry and apply two more coats, leaving drying time between each coat.

10. Spray on enamel finish to the outside of tub, allowing to dry before applying one or two more coats depending on coverage.

11. Use a 120-grit sandpaper on the interior tub surface to remove paint chips and mineral deposits. Wipe surface clean with a damp rag and let dry.

12. Close tub drain and apply a wash of hydrofluoric acid. Let acid sit in tub for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the tub with cold water and dry completely.

13. Remove divots created from acid wash by sanding tub. Rinse sanding residue and let dry.

14. Apply body filler with a putty knife to create a smooth tub surface. Let filler dry as directed on packaging.

15. Sand dried filler with fine-grit sandpaper and thoroughly clean and remove all sanding residue.

16. Apply two or three coats of epoxy primer as a tack coat. Allow primer to dry between each coat.

17. Spray on enamel primer according to package instructions and let dry overnight (eight hours).

18. Mix glazing compound and apply to interior of tub as directed on packaging. Let dry at least 48 hours before putting water in tub.

Tips & Warnings

• Mask off areas you are not working on with newspaper to prevent overspray.

• Use a respirator mask, rubber gloves and eye protection when using harsh chemicals.