Bathtub With a Rusted Hole

Even a rusty bathtub like this one can be made to look like new.

Your bathtub can rust if you have iron in your water. Over time, the rust will destroy the porcelain or enamel finish on the tub and corrode the metal base, causing holes to form. A rust hole in your bathtub means water can leak down into the floor foundation and damage the wood and tiles, leading to expensive repairs. Although replacing your bathtub is one option, it’s not the only one.

Refinishing

Refinishing or reglazing a bathtub involves dissolving the old finish before applying a new one. During the process, the refinisher can also repair scratches, cracks and holes in your bathtub. The process uses hazardous chemicals that require the use of protective clothing and a respirator. Your bathroom will also need to be vented to remove toxic gases. The process takes between four and six hours, but the tub can’t be used for 24 hours afterwards. The results, if properly done, will make your tub look and feel like new.

Tub Liners

Another way to fix a rusty hole in your tub is to have a liner installed. Tub lining companies create a mold of your bathtub so they can make a liner that fits perfectly over it. A local installer sends photographs and measurements of your tub to his company headquarters where the mold is created. It can take four to eight weeks for the finished liner to be delivered, but the installer can put the liner on in six to eight hours and the bathtub can be used the same day.

DIY

You can repair a rusted hole in your bathtub yourself with automotive body filler or a fiberglass-based gooey compound. It takes just a few hours for the filler to harden, then you can file and sand it smooth prior to priming and painting it. If you’re using a fiberglass-based compound, place wax paper on the front side of the hole for a smooth surface that’s flush with the surrounding metal. The wax paper will peel off after the compound hardens.

Pros and Cons

If you don’t have experience repairing bathtubs, your results probably won’t look professional. If that doesn’t bother you, then do it yourself is the least expensive way to go. Although refinished bathtubs look like new, they are prone to chipping and scratching. Liners cost a lot more than refinishing, but they are also more durable and resist chipping. At the time of publication, you could purchase a liner for $800 to $1,000, including the installation cost. Refinishing costs between $200 and $450. Liners can develop leaks that trap water under them, making them feel squishy and causing mildew problems. In addition, they’re made out of plastic, so they won’t look or feel like the original ceramic or porcelain finish. Some people don’t like that.

References

• This Old House: 2 Solutions for Worn-out Bathtubs
• BRS Hawaii Bathtub Reglazing Services: Bathtub Rust
• Go Green Reglazing: Bathtub Reglazing is a Better Alternative to a Tub Liner
• HammerZone.com: Fixing A Hole In A Bath Tub

Resources

• The Tub Wizard: Care & Maintenance Instructions