How to Repair Tub Enamel
Enamel bathtubs are often a central component of bathrooms. They can last decades, but chips and scratches can take their toll on their appearance. New bathtubs are often not as large and can cost several thousand dollars, sometimes requiring additional bathroom repair and raising costs higher. A professional can refurbish your bathtub, but this can cost several hundred dollars. For only a few dollars with a kit available at most home improvement stores, you can repair chips and scratches in your enamel bathtub and have your bathroom looking like new again. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Clean the bathtub with floor wax remover, then neutralize with a citric-based cleaner. Rinse well and wipe down with denatured alcohol.
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2
Follow the directions specific to the repair kit you purchased. Thoroughly mix the compound and hardener from your kit. Apply the filler as needed to fill any chips and cracks. Allow time to dry per your specific kit's instructions.
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3
Sand the spots you filled in with the included sandpaper. Sand until you feel no difference between your repaired spot and the surrounding tub.
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4
Wipe the bathtub with a clean and dry cloth. You want the bathtub as clean as possible before you apply the sealant, but do not use any cleaning chemicals.
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5
Apply the included sealant to the entire bathtub. Reapply as many coats as the instructions specify, allowing the recommended time between coats.
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Tips & Warnings
Your bathtub cannot be too clean for this process. The strength and longevity of the repair depends on an absolutely clean surface.
Do-it-yourself kits may not always offer a perfect color match. Repaired areas often will be shinier than the rest of the tub, but should fade over time. Freshly repaired surfaces also will be slippery compared with the rest of the tub.
