How to Redo Old Bathtubs
Old-fashioned bathtubs are usually cast-iron bodies topped with a porcelain coating. The iron is practically indestructible, but the porcelain will wear, fade and become dull over time. Since baking new porcelain onto the tub's surface isn't a practical solution, refinishing a porcelain tub generally means painting it, but it has to be done in a specific manner, with specialized chemicals, including etching acid to de-gloss the old surface. This is a very involved project that you shouldn't undertake yourself unless you've had significant experience with chemical refinishing. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic tarps
- Duct tape
- Protective cover-all clothing
- Thick rubber gloves
- Respirator with goggles
- Etching acid for porcelain
- Brushes
- Paint sprayer with fine-mist setting
- Porcelain primer
- Porcelain enamel topcoat
Instructions
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1
Remove all fixtures from the tub. Use your plastic tarps and tape to cover all the walls and floor around it. Tape off any part of the tub that isn't porcelain-coated, such as an exposed cast-iron exterior or decorative clawfeet.
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2
Put on your protective clothing and respirator. Ventilate the room. Brush your acid-etching solution over the porcelain, covering all porcelain areas completely. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse it very well. Let the tub dry completely.
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3
Load your paint sprayer with porcelain primer. Coat the porcelain parts of the tub in a very light, thin coat, covering everything but making sure not to allow drips or streaks.
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4
Let the primer dry about 30 minutes, then apply a second coat in the same manner. Let it dry and apply a third coat.
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Load your paint sprayer with your enamel topcoat. Apply it to the tub in the same fashion as you did the primer, in a very thin, light, even layer.
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Let it dry 30 minutes, then repeat. Apply at least four coats and as many as six. Allow the final coat to cure for at least 48 hours before reinstalling the fixtures and using the tub.
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Tips & Warnings
Etching acid is extremely dangerous. Don't leave the tub unattended while the acid is on its surface.
