How to Refinish an Enamel Tub
Bathtub finishes will eventually wear, become dull and otherwise lose their bright, clean appearance. With a refinishing kit, the homeowner may save much of the costs involved by doing the work himself. Kits may be purchased online, and at hardware and home improvement stores. Anyone with advanced painting skills, and who is comfortable handling epoxies and similar chemicals, will be successful in bringing his tub back to life. The kits will not match the quality of a professional refinishing job, but the will provide a significant cost savings to the homeowner. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Eye protection
- Chemical resistant gloves
- Bucket
- Cleaning solution
- Sponge
- Sandpaper
- Masking tape
- Paint stir stick or mixer
- Paint roller pan
- Paint roller handle
- Paint roller heads (2)
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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Preparation
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1
Clean the entire tub and surrounding surfaces with a strong detergent or TSP (trisodium phosphate) solution. It is critical that all oils and other contaminants be removed prior to sanding. Sanding will not remove oils; in fact, it will rub them deep into the sanded surface making them harder to remove.
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2
Repair any chips or cracks prior to sanding. If possible, remove fixtures (like the tub drain) to avoid creating a paint edge at the fixture. This will reduce the chipping in the future. Mask the tub-surround and fixtures with quality masking tape at least 3/4 inch wide.
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3
Sand the entire tub surface with 80- to 120-grit sand paper. Sand the surface until all foreign material is gone, and the surface is smooth, but not polished. The sanding process provides a surface for the coating that is uniform, yet is rough enough for the coating to adhere.
Application
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4
Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for mixing procedure and specific safety equipment (gloves, eye protection, respirator). Most kits are two part epoxies, or similar coatings, that cure as a result of a chemical reaction between the resin and hardener.
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5
Ventilate the bathroom well. Bathrooms are confined work spaces that can accumulate chemical vapors released by the coatings.
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6
Pour the mixed coating into the roller pan. Apply a thin coat with the roller using light pressure. Replace the roller head and apply a second coat; see manufacturer's instructions for time between coats. Cover the pan and brush with plastic wrap between coats.
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Use the brush to apply the coating to corners and other curved surfaces where the roller will not go. Overlap the flat surfaces that the roller will cover.
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8
Remove the masking tape after both coats have fully dried. The masking tape must be removed before significant curing to produce a clean edge.
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Tips & Warnings
The curing times for the coatings can range from two to seven days. These long curing times allow for optimum flow-out, or leveling, of the coatings. After the new coating has finished curing, any removed fixtures may be replaced and the tub re-caulked.
Not all tub refinishing products are the same. Refer to manufacturer's instructions at each step for specific procedures, including safety equipment and procedures, regarding the product.
While spraying is the best method of application, it is best left to professionals. There are more health risks associated with spraying, and a high level of experience and skill is required to achieve the better results. With any application method, be sure to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific safety equipment and procedures.
