How to Re-enamel a Bath Tub
If you have an old iron bathtub that has seen better days, you can make it look like new by re-enameling it. You can get a professional to do the job, but the cost is likely to exceed the price of a new bathtub. Doing it yourself is a bit fiddly, but well worth the effort.
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Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Face mask
- Steel wool
- Sand paper
- Chip fix compound
- Spray-on bathroom enamel
Instructions
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1
Scrub the bathtub with steel wool to get rid of any rust or dirt.
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2
Fill in any chips using the chip-filling compound. You can buy it from many home repair stores.
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3
Allow the chip-filling compound to dry overnight, then use the sandpaper to sand it smooth. You may have to repeat Steps 1 and 2 for deep chips.
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4
Spray the bathtub with the spray-on enamel. Hold the can about a foot from the surface. Try to spray as thinly and evenly as possible. Otherwise, you will have drips.
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5
Allow the first coat to dry overnight then sand down any drips.
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6
Spray on a second coat of enamel the same way you sprayed on the first coat. Allow the enamel to dry. If necessary, repeat Steps 5 and 6 for a third coat.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear a mask to avoid breathing in the fumes. It's better to have three thin layers of enamel than two thick ones. The surface will look more even.
Do not try to re-enamel plastic bathtubs.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Dave at www.morguefile.com
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Comments
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try bondo.
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I wish "chip-filling compound" was better defined, because there are all kinds of chip fillers I can find- none specify porcelain or bathtub, and I don't know what kind to buy.
