Enameled bathtubs receive various damages during usage. The most common are chips on the enamel, which appear from the fall of heavy or sharp objects, such as a shower head, as well as from heavy impacts.
How to Avoid Chipped Enamel
Enamel is a hard but brittle material, so chips and cracks appear quite often on it. To avoid corrosion and further destruction of the bathtub, it is better to get rid of damage immediately. Otherwise, the surface becomes not only unattractive, but also unsafe, since the enamel chips can be quite sharp.
Unfortunately, enamel that has served for many years is very prone to cracks and chips. Even a slight impact on the surface can cause damage. This is especially true for bathtubs that have already been restored with enamel.
In order to extend their life, it is recommended to use silicone mats. This will protect the bottom from falling shower head. This will also help if you have to put buckets and basins of water in the bathtub.
The surface must be washed more often so that the enamel does not become thinner and does not wear out ahead of time, but without the use of abrasives and aggressive agents.
A sharp change in temperature is a common cause of cracks on the enamel, in the place of which chips then appear. When turning on the water, increase its temperature gradually.
These simple rules will extend the life of the enamel coating of the bathtub. If it is not possible to protect it from the appearance of chips, it will be necessary to repair the surface.
Chip Removal by Using Enamel Method
When it comes to single shallow damage, the chip can be completely eliminated with the help of bathtub enamel. To do this, the site must first be carefully prepared. It is necessary to carefully examine the place of damage for the presence of cracks and detachments around it. If there are any, the enamel should be removed, and the area should be sanded well with sandpaper, making it uniform and smooth, removing the relief.
If the chip is deep enough the damage the enamel reaches the metal, it will need to be filled with automotive putty, leaving a small indentation. After drying, the work area is sanded and degreased, carefully removing all dust.
Next, you can apply enamel using a small brush. The enamel used must be designed for repairing bathtubs; otherwise the efforts put in will be wasted.
The disadvantages of this method of eliminating chips are obvious. To make the surface perfect and the defect invisible will not be possible.
The repaired area will differ in color, since the new enamel is pure white, and the rest of the surface of the bath has already turned gray during use.
Such elimination of chips gives a temporary and very short effect, even if done according to all the necessary rules. This method is not suitable in cases where the bathtub has numerous chips, especially if they are all deep.
Repairing each chip individually means making the bath patchy and wasting materials. Repairing chipped enamel is extremely unprofitable from a financial point of view. You will have to buy full-size packages of paint, putty, solvent, and use only a small part of them.
Chip Repair Using Acrylic Method
Acrylic is a material that has the ability to bond to many surfaces, enamel bathtubs are included.
Chips and other deep and serious surface defects are successfully eliminated with liquid acrylic.
Surface preparation for repair is carried out according to the same principle as for enamel. For filling deep cracks and leveling the relief, there is no better material than liquid acrylic. Its consistency and properties allow you to achieve a very good effect.
True, there is one caveat: to repair with acrylic, you will also have to buy a full-size package of the material. In this case, the best solution would not be to repair a separate area of the surface, but to completely cover the bathtub with liquid acrylic.
This will not only help eliminate any defects, but also prevent future chips.
Unlike fragile enamel, acrylic is much more plastic, so it is not affected by bumps and heavy objects falling onto the surface of the bathtub.
This material is suitable both for the refinishing of a cast-iron bathtub in order to improve its appearance, restore its whiteness and shine, and to eliminate serious defects. Even heavily damaged, old cast-iron bathtubs can be successfully repaired with liquid acrylic and will serve for more than a dozen years after it has been carried out.
Repairing chips and cracks with liquid acrylic is by far the most reliable and durable method that can significantly extend the life of the ware. And for the result to be perfect, it is better to contact an experienced technician.
