BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls

Subject: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: Kim C
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 10:00 AM

Okay all you home improvement people, I need your help here. A couple of years ago the landlady had our tub reglazed and there's been problems ever since. Last year the enamel started chipping around the drain and I was able to temporarily repair it with that white nail-polishy looking stuff. It stayed pretty good for a few months but now it's chipping off again and the touch-up stuff won't work, plus the area is now too large for just a touch-up.

I know I have seen repair kits at the Home Depot and places like that. Can anyone offer any insight about do-it-yourselfing on this one? (The warranty on the original job expired a long time ago and I don't want those gobshites working on my tub again anyhow.)

Many thanks ---- Kim

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: Allan C.
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 11:35 AM

I'm a landlord myself and as much as I would dislike hearing that the repair I had made a couple of years ago was not a good one, I would want to know about it. This sort of thing happened to me recently, although not regarding a tub. Sure, I had to shuck out some bucks; but it is worth a lot to keep a good tenant happy. The good ones are hard to find.

It seems obvious that the previous method of dealing with this is not worth repeating. There are companies that can fit the tub for a tough vinyl cover which is made to fit your particular tub. The cost is much cheaper than installing a new tub. However it does cost quite a bit. I'll see if I can dig up some info for ya.

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 11:47 AM

Dear landlord...

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: Allan C.
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 11:59 AM

The system is called, Re-Bath.

http://www.rebath.com/bathtub.html

The franchise nearest you is probably the one in Bartlett.

Custom Re-Bath

901 386-5463

[e-mail]

I have looked into the main company and found it to appear to be a good one. I even sent for their franchise information packet. Obtaining a franchise is no light matter for these folks. Quite a bit of training is required as well as having to demonstrate that one is a member in good standing of one's community. I think that says a lot for the company.

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: mousethief
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 12:04 PM

Hey, I know where Bartlett is! You must be near Memphis.

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: Gervase
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 12:12 PM

The only really good way to re-enamel a bath is to do just that - shot-blast all the old stuff off, then fire on a new vitreous layer. It's hellish expensive, and only worth doing if you've got a pretty fabulous old cast-iron bath to start with.
I've tried most the proprietory kits available in the UK, and without exception, they're crap - and I don't imagine the bath renovation stuff in the USA will be much different. You may get a reasonable match in terms of translucence and colour, but it doesn't wear well, and it's virtually impossible to avoid getting texture problems.
Mind you, the nicest people have baths with bare patches!

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: mousethief
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 12:15 PM

That's why there's Rustoleum.

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: Kim C
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 01:03 PM

The landlady knew about the original chipping and said to just go ahead and patch it, which we did. She is out of town for awhile with a new grandbaby. Normally with smallish repairs we just go ahead and fix them; most of the time she reimburses us if it's anything that costs more than a pack of nails.

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: Lanfranc
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 01:07 PM

Before proceeding, I suggest you read an English Victorian novel called "The Diary of a Nobody" by George and Weedon Grossmith.

The "hero", a Mr Pooter, has a VERY unfortunate experience with a refinished bathtub!

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: Tinker
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 01:15 PM

I've got to agree with Gervase. When I starting looking to have all the old tubs and sinks done in our old house I actually came across an honest salesman who explained that 1) if there is ANY rust showing the new surface will not take. It can only be refinished by blasting which means sending it to the factory... You must really love the original. 2) It's inappropriate for kitchen sinks because it won't stand up to washing anything harder than delicate hand washables. So I'm only considering the original farmsink, but the only place I've found is in Chicago !! Landlord may need to concider a new tub.

Tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: Kim C
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 03:38 PM

There's no rust at all. A bubble got under the new enamel and it popped and voila....

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: Sorcha
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 05:21 PM

1) Buy and install a new bathtub.
2) Buy and install a fiberglass tub and surround.

Subject: RE: BS: Bathtub Enamel Repair: Expert Advice Pls
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Feb 01 - 12:09 AM

Never saw a system that worked very well at all. Most work not at all. Even the system I saw on This Old House was not very successful.

I agree with the "buy new" people here. After 20+ years of Environmental Modifications for a disabled population, I'll tell you new is the way to go. I also suggest tiled walls rather than inserts. Stone beats plastic any day.

Don