Coating an old bathtub with acrylic or enamel is a great way to restore the appearance of plumbing. Usually old bathtubs were made of cast iron and enameled. Enamel can last for many years, but over time it still requires updating.
- Pros and cons of enamel
- Pros and Cons of Acrylic
- Bath restoration with acrylic
- Enamel bath restoration
- Acrylic liner
- How to fix smudges and sag
- Coating care
Then the question arises, which coating to choose. Restoration is easy to do with your own hands, you just need to choose the right material. Most often, enamel and acrylic are used. They differ in cost, durability and method of application. Therefore, before starting work, you need to study all the positive and negative sides of the materials.
to contents ↑Pros and cons of enamel
Some manufacturers enamel their baths, since this method is considered the most reliable and durable. Enamel advantages:
- profitability;
- wear resistance;
- fast application;
- resistance to chemical cleaners.
The main disadvantage of this method is the pungent odor. Workers use special respiratory protection during enameling. The enamel dries for a long time, you will not be able to use the bathroom for about a week. Another disadvantage is the high thermal conductivity, so the water in such a bath cools quickly.
Pros and Cons of Acrylic
Acrylic bathtub painting Is the easiest way. Its advantages:
- Ease of application - without brush and roller.
- Low thermal conductivity - water slowly cools in the bath.
- Smooth surface.
- Durability.
- Acrylic is less prone to delamination than enamel.
- Large selection of colors.
Due to these properties, acrylic is often chosen for restoration. Working with him is simple; it does not require much time or special knowledge.
But the acrylic coating has its drawbacks:
- High cost - the price is higher than enamel.
- Absorb hair dye.
- Easy to scratch.
- White coating may fade with time.
This coating is easy to scratch, and then microbes accumulate in the cracks. I don’t feel like taking such a bath. But with careful handling, the acrylic coating does not wear out.
Acrylic is often used to create an unusual colored bathtub in a designer interior. If you spend a little more money on this than on enamel, you can get an author's bath, which will be different from everyone else.
to contents ↑Acrylic paints have differences in characteristics. You can choose a paint that dries quickly to use the bathroom the very next day after painting. And you can give preference to a look that dries longer, but forms a thicker and more reliable layer.
Bath restoration with acrylic
Coating the bathtub with acrylic paint is a simple process that can be carried out independently. But do not forget that all painting work must be carried out in well-ventilated rooms with open windows. It is best to leave the apartment temporarily without residents so that they do not breathe harmful fumes.
Be sure to wear a respirator. An ordinary medical mask will not work, more serious protection is needed. Feel free to wear a military gas mask if you have one.
In order not to get dirty, you need to wear rubber gloves and a rubberized apron. Spare gloves must be at hand so that they can be changed.
Before carrying out work, it is better to remove everything from the bathroom, except for the bathtub, sink and toilet bowl, since they are firmly fortified. And household appliances and especially towels need to be removed from the room. If there is no way to remove the washing machine, you can close it with polyethylene.
Stages of work:
- First you need to remove the old coating with sandpaper. You can speed up the process and take an angle grinder or purchase a special nozzle for a drill that performs the same function. It is best to clean with a respirator or mask.
- Remove all dust that has formed.
- To clean old chips and cracks.
- Degrease the surface.
- Fill the bathtub with hot water. Acrylic lays on a warm surface better. Drain and wipe dry.
- During warming up, you can prepare an acrylic mixture.
- Close the drain holes with polyethylene.
- Unscrew the siphon and place a container under which the paint will drain.
- Pour acrylic onto the sides with a thin stream. The width of the strip should be about 5 cm. Then the paint will drain and cover half of the bath.
- After the paint has drained, pour another strip along the perimeter, starting from the middle of the bath.
- Wait for complete drying.
If leaks appeared in the process, they can not be eliminated - they will blur themselves. The painting process is best not to interrupt and carry out all work at once.
Before drying, it is necessary to protect the bathtub from splashes and dust, as this can ruin all the work. It is best to shut off the water so that it does not leave random droplets. If you notice bubbles that do not disappear within two minutes, they need to be punched with a brush.
The coating dries in about 3-4 days, and the unpleasant odor disappears quickly - within a few hours.
This method is also called a "bulk bath". The result is a thicker layer than enamel. Accordingly, he also serves longer.
to contents ↑Enamel bath restoration
To start work, you need to prepare the necessary materials:
- protective glasses;
- respirator;
- roller;
- brushes 8 cm wide;
- beaker;
- acetone;
- primer for metal;
- vinegar;
- hardener.
It is necessary to seriously approach the choice of brush, as this affects the appearance of the bath. It is better not to touch the bristles with your hands, it will leave a greasy mark on it that can ruin the coating. The brush must be new so that the enamel lies well. You can also take tweezers to remove dropping hairs.
Doing it yourself is not difficult, but the experience of plumbing repairs will be only a plus. It is believed that the restoration of the bath resembles the restoration of boats, so if you have experience in such work, it will help you.
The most important thing is not to forget about protecting your eyes and respiratory organs. You can wear special work clothes that you can’t stain.
Stages of bath enameling:
- Remove old coat with sandpaper or grinder.
- To clear a surface of dust.
- Degrease the surface. Fill the bathtub with hot water for 10 minutes and drain the water. Wipe with a clean cloth that does not leave a lint.
- Remove the siphon, place a container underneath. Cover with polyethylene all the places that do not need to be enameled.
- Apply primer from top to bottom. Avoid blistering.
- Mix hardener and enamel according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Apply the first coat with a roller or brush.
- Let the enamel dry.
- Apply the second and third layers.
Enamel dries for a long time - about a week.
In factory conditions, after enameling, the bath is installed in a special furnace, where the surface is hardened, and the paint adheres tightly to it. Therefore, enamel coating with your own hands may not be as reliable as the coating from the manufacturer.
This is one of the easiest ways to restore a bath and is inexpensive. In addition, you can enamel the bath many times.
to contents ↑Acrylic liner
This is literally an insert that is made to order according to the individual dimensions of your bathtub. You can order any shape and color.
The manufacturing technology is simple: a sheet of solid acrylic is heated and blow the desired shape.
Steps for installing the liner:
- The bath is polished, cleaned of dust and dried.
- Drill holes for overflow and overflow in the insert.
- Foam or special glue is applied to the bathtub and liner.
- The liner is installed in the bathtub and filled with water so that the glue seizes.
All work lasts about 2-3 hours, and this liner serves up to 20 years. Therefore, its advantages over paints are obvious. There are a few more advantages:
- Does not darken or fade;
- does not absorb rust and dirt;
- resistant to cracks and impacts;
- more wear resistant than acrylic paint;
- provides antibacterial protection;
- has low thermal conductivity;
- easy to install.
The relative disadvantage of the liner in the high price compared to acrylic and enamel. But the result is a durable and high-quality coating that lasts several times longer.
You can only clean this liner with special acrylic products. In no case should you use powdered products.
There are reviews that you can’t put heavy things in such a bath. This is not true. The acrylic liner perfectly withstands loads of 100-130 kg.
You must install this liner correctly. If you glue it leaky, then water will fall into the space between the bath and the liner. Therefore, you must choose a good installation wizard.
to contents ↑How to fix smudges and sag
When coated with liquid substances, smudges may form. They can be easily removed with a brush from the bottom up. This method is suitable for acrylic and enamel.
Sagging can be cut with a clerical knife after the paint has completely dried.
If the coating is too thick, cuffs or gaskets in the drain hole may be required as it becomes narrow.
Coating care
To keep the paint on the bath for a long time, you must follow simple rules:
- Do not apply mechanical damage to the surface.
- Do not rinse hair dye in the bath.
- Do not clean with abrasive products, fluids with chlorine or acids.
- Do not pour boiling water.
- Do not put metal objects in the enamel bath.
- Do not leave dirty water in the bath.
Sometimes when moving to a new apartment, residents are faced with the problem of old plumbing. A bath is a bulky thing; it is not so simple to change it. Sometimes for this it is necessary to break out the wall.
Restoring a bath is a good alternative to buying new plumbing. It will cost several times cheaper, although it will take some time. You can do it yourself with the instructions above, or you can contact a specialist. They have the necessary skills and special tools. They can offer not only the listed methods, but also other, more modern ones.
After coating the bath with paint or liner, it will look like new. Cracks and scratches will not be visible, the surface will be smooth and shiny. But reviews say that over time, the acrylic coating loses its luster and becomes dull. Therefore, it is important to study all opinions before choosing material.
Everyone decides which type of coating to choose. Acrylic is easy to apply and lasts longer than enamel. But the latter has a lower price, and it can be applied several times. It is also necessary to take into account the degree of toxicity of materials and the time to complete drying. Acrylic liner is the leader in terms of durability; it serves twice as long as paints. Its quality justifies the high cost of manufacturing and installation.
