How to Repair Chips in the Finish of a Colored Bathtub

Repairing a chipped bathtub is more affordable than completely replacing it.

A bathtub is an expensive piece to replace should it become chipped or damaged. Depending on the size of the breakage on the tub, you can save the expense of completely replacing the bathtub by simply filling in the visible cracks and wear. While bathtubs can be easily fixed with porcelain repair kits, colored bathtub kits might be more difficult to find. If your bathtub is a specific color, it poses specific challenges to perfectly match the paint for the repair.

Things You'll Need

• Bathroom cleaner
• Sandpaper
• Porcelain fill
• Porcelain repair kit
• Acrylic-based epoxy paint
• Narrow sponge brush or craft paint brush
• Small spatula

Instructions

1. Assess the damage to the tub. A few chips in inconspicuous locations can be easy to repair. However, many chips or deep cracks might not be so simple. If the damage to the tub is significant, it may be necessary to replace the tub completely.

2. Clean the tub with a bathroom cleanser to prepare it for repair. Bathtubs can accumulate grease and soap scum that can be difficult to remove. Repairing chips to dirty bathtubs could lead to an unsightly color match or cause the paint to not properly adhere. Dry the clean tub thoroughly before repairing.

3. Sand the surface surrounding the damage. This will prepare the surface for a new finish and smooth out any imperfections.

4. Fill in cracks or chips with porcelain fill. Squeeze it out of a tube or spread it over the chip with a small spatula. This filler generally only comes in white, so it will need to be painted to complete the repair. Smooth over the surface so it is flat and even. Allow the filler to dry for at least 12 hours or as stated on the manufacturer's label. Once it dries, sand the area as needed.

5. Match the color of your paint to the tub. You can purchase porcelain repair kits from most home renovation supply stores that claim to match the color perfectly, but it might still require some fine tuning with acrylic-based epoxy to get the right match. Even white patch kits could actually feature several different shades.

6. Paint over the filled-in surface and allow it to dry before using the tub. A narrow sponge brush or small craft paintbrush will work well to cover small surface areas. Use only good quality brush to reduce the amount of bristles that end up in the paint.

References

• Renovation Headquarters: How to Repair Chips, Scratches & Fading on Porcelain Fixtures
• Bathtubs for You: Tips On How To Repair A Bathtub