OT-Tub Repair

JCinKY

Member
Let me start off with the fact that I was gonna put this over on Tool Talk. Too much heated discussion over there recently and you guys are my go to...

Anyway, my wife and I have a single slipper clawfoot in our bath from about the 30s. The enamel has started to crack and pop off in about 3 or 4 spots. From what I can tell it had been relined or coated since what's left underneath is also white and enamel-ly.

The total damaged area might be about a square foot right down the center towards the drain, 2" x 6".

I was considering epoxy filler and a 2 stage urethane. What are my options? Are the kits from the box stores any count?
 
i know you can get white epoxy appliance paint.. it's tough stuff. looks like porcelan when cured. not cheap for the good thick stuff though.. not sure how well it will blend.
 
Homax makes a paint for tubs,sinks and tile. It's called tough tile. You can get it in a one part epoxy spray or brush on. It comes as a kit with prep. You have to carefully follow the directions, especially on the prep, but it looks good. They sell it at Lowes.
 
I read tool talk a couple of times a day.
I'm curious what the heated discussions you are referring to.
As to your tub; I can't give you much for good news. I remodel a lot of bathrooms for a living.
I've probably torn out 30 or 40 tubs that had been "reenameled". None of them lasted very long.
Consider that you are trying to get something to stick to glass - which is what the enamel is.
Best to start saving for a new slipper tub and replace it if you like that style.
They do sell some of those at the big box stores like Menards and Home Despot. They are fiberglass jobs so wont last forever but are pretty nice for a while at a reasonable price.
 
Meant Tractor Talk, got too many pages going right now. Losing my mind...

Think I will try the appliance paint. Forgot all about it.

I think the tub is worth saving and $50 won't break me. I'm wary of the kits but will check them out tomorrow. Mom and dad tried one, might have lasted six months.

Plan as of now is to sand/scuff, etch/clean as much as possible with muriatic acid, fix cracks with filler, try appliance enable.

Course this is pending future advise. Keep em coming.
 
I reenameled mine 20 or 22 years ago and changed the
colar,,, and it is still holding up. It was
expensive and I did a self fix kit in another tub
and it is satisfactory, but not great.
 
I used tough tile on our claw foot tub. It is in the downstairs bath so it might get used once in five years. Come to think of it I haven't put water in it since I did it. Sure looks pretty, though.
 
The reviews on the kits sold by Lowe's and HD actually had good reviews. Only bad reviews were on the spray type, which I didn't want anyway.

You get a six pack of the 12 oz appliance paint for $36. But it says to only apply to metal surface.

I think a good waterproof epoxy filler and a 2 stage urethane enamel would do it. I mean we paint trucks and tractors with it all the time and don't worry about chipping. Not like I'm gonna dump out a bucket o' sockets in there.

Even thought I have cleaned lawn mower engines and hydraulic pumps in it. SHHHHHH. Don't tell her :lol:

Course the devil is in the details. Probably spend half a day just on prep.

What do you guys think? Lay it on thick and see what happens?

This our main bath although we have another upstairs.
 

You want phosphoric, not muriatic acid. Phosphoric converts rust to inert iron phosphate. The key to it lasting is to get all the rust off, otherwise it will eventually grow to where it will pop the repair off.
 
I don't have any rust to speak of. But thanks for the info on the phosphoric.

I'll try to get a pic or two this weekend. I'm am fairly confident that it has been relined in the past. I chipped a few big pieces off last night and there was the original enamel underneath.

I did not find any cast iron or rust.

I don't know if that will help or hurt in bonding. I would guess it is some sort of epoxy. The chips might have been 1/32" thick and plastic to some extent. It is and will get worse with time. I just want to get ahead of it until we finally remodel.
 
Gots a few of 'em in the fields.

GOOD LOOKIN 135 pounders. Stand weights for women. 170# for adult males. :) :)

NOTE: After you deliver, always pull the HITCH until the wagon trains come YOUR weights.

WHY: PA STATE LAW after YOU get thru village of GETTYSBURG< PA. MARSHALS (FED'S)
 
I used one of the two part kits from Lowes a few years ago, however I only used it on the outer portion of the tub as the inside was in very good condition. It turned out fairly nice, but don't expect the kit to come out looking like the original enamel did as it will not, nor will it hold up as long. The tub I did is one my wife found at an old Junior College dorm, and had sat unused for many years (My mother went to the school, and I think it closed over 50 years ago). The inside of the tub cleaned up very nicely, but the outside had been painted with a couple coats of indoor latex. I stripped the outside and used the two part tub refinish on the outside, bought new hardware for it and it now looks very nice. It replaced a whirlpool tub which was rarely used. I hear a lot of people who "think" they want a whirlpool tub until they have them, and they end up taking them back out. I know it took forever to fill, and I would have had to purchase a much larger water heater to use daily.
 
ASHLAND OIL says: Simply scratch up dem "shot-up' spots real good. Then JB weld to fill'em within limits. Slow process.

Lightly sand smooth with old porcelon, finish with 360 paper all over the whole inside. This removes old soap (homeade) lye.

Wash down with CLOROX. Let set around the shop awhile.

Then refer to SouNdguy's idea. Check MSDS fer anything that will make your bottom HOT.

If OK in judgement........make a trip back to HOME DEPOT for info.

Most of us just use CLOROX(tm) as a weekly rinse anyhow. Use a rubber mat to protect BOTH male and woman bottoms.

John,PA CHIEF Susquehannoc tribes.
REF: Mary Jamison White SQUAW.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top