Almost every homeowner has a dream to decorate their bathroom which speaks nothing less than svelte. The fusion of comfortable ambiance with character/style is what many are looking towards. And when you talk about character or elegance, the inclusion of clawfoot bathtubs comes to mind. Not only were these bathtubs considered as a luxurious item during the 19th century, they are making a comeback. While considering all your options for that perfect bathroom decor, the name of clawfoot is never missed. But does any of these has got to do with refinishing the bathtub? Because these bathtubs are made with cast iron, which over time, can rust. Their glorious beauty slowly diminishes and can become a grim fixture in your urbane bathroom. Plus, you can't possibly think of taking a bath in a corroded bathtub, now can you?
In such cases, one of two things can be done. One option is to go for a bathtub replacement. And the second option is refinishing the bathtub. Now you can imagine, if you go with either of these options, the cost of getting the job done by a professional can be really expensive. Which is why, we will select one of the more simple and less expensive options to get your bathroom back to normal. How? By refinishing your bathtub, of course. In the following article, we will be giving you helpful tips on how the entire process is done.
Refinish a Clawfoot Bathtub
The process of refinishing the bathtub can be a bit challenging. Which is why, we advice you to either consult with a professional before you begin or have someone who has had experience work with you. There simply isn't anything clever in saving money and doing an "okay" job. Keeping that in mind, let's move on to the directions. Before we begin, collect the necessary items - mask, rubber hand gloves, eye goggles, paint thinner, stripping solvent, sandpaper (fine and course grit), hand sander, body filler, small containers, polyester coating, enamel coating, paint brush, water, wire brush, sand blaster, paint color (your choice), hydrofluoric acid, putty knife, tub glaze, and epoxy primer. Wear your hand gloves, mask, and eye goggles. Preferably, work in a well-ventilated area.
Take paint thinner in small containers so that you can fill them up with paint thinner and dip the tub's feet in them. After some time, use a wire brush to remove the rust off it. If there is any paint left on the tub's feet, use stripping solvent to remove it properly. Next you will use epoxy primer at the feet. Leave it alone to dry completely. Once dry, apply at least 2-3 coats of your favorite paint color on the feet. You can choose white, black, or any other color. But remember, after every coat, let the paint dry completely before applying the next one. Now we begin with the tub. Use stripping solvent to wipe the tub's exterior properly. This will remove any and all paint that is remaining.
You can even use sandpaper to take out any paint, rust, debris, etc. off it. Sand the tub's exterior part till it has become smooth. Next use polyester coating. Apply at least 2-3 coats. For perfect application, do remember to read the directions mentioned on the package. (You don't want to make any mistakes here; it's crucial). Once the polyester coating has dried, you will take a clean paint brush to apply the enamel coating to the tub. After that, again use a sandpaper, 120-grit will be perfect, to scrape off any excess paint that may have been left behind. In the end, use water to rinse the tub's exterior thoroughly. Let the tub dry completely before we move on to the next step. Now that the tub's exterior is finished, we will move to the tub's interior. Use hydrofluoric acid to wash the insides and leave it so for 15 minutes. Then, wash with cold water thoroughly and let it dry. Take a fresh piece of sandpaper and begin sanding the insides. Sometimes, after using the hydrofluoric acid, it can leave some cavities behind. The sandpaper will remove it properly. Wash the tub with water again and let the tub dry.
Now we apply the body filler in the tub's interior. The body filler comes in handy when you are applying the primer and new paint. It makes the surface even to let the paint settle in properly. Use the putty knife while applying the body filler. Leave it to dry and use the sandpaper again on the tub's interior. After this, apply 2-3 coats of the epoxy primer. Again remember, let each coat dry completely before using the next one.
Then goes the enamel coating. Again let it dry properly. And in the end, use a tub glaze to bring the shine back. Leave this last coat on for about 2 days or so. After the entire process is over, your tub is ready for use. Reading these steps, you now know that it is a long, challenging task that needs your utmost patience and care. But, the truth is, that you can easily save on the clawfoot bathtub refinishing cost. Now that, I believe, is a good deal. Don't you agree?
