Bathtub enameling is one of the ways to restore a tub’s surface, which involves the application of several layers of enamel paint. Such an renovation method will help delay the complete replacement of the bathtub and expensive bathroom repairs.
Despite the fact that modern technologies offer more advanced methods, enameling is still relevant due to its low cost, ease of work and a completely satisfactory result. After the enamel dries, the surface of the bath becomes white and shiny, transforming and refreshing the entire bathroom.
Bathtub Enameling With Epoxy Enamel
Applying a new layer of enamel begins with getting everything ready. First, the bath must be disconnected from the drainage, the siphon and faucet must be dismantled.
The next step is to remove the original coating. Usually bathtubs that have served for many years have cracks, deeply ingrained rust and wears.
All this must be cleaned, making the surface smooth and uniform. Do this with abrasive powder and sandpaper.
In order to speed up the process, sandpaper can be replaced with a drill with a special circle. When the top layer is removed, the bath is thoroughly washed, then degreased and dried.
Upon completion of all these stages, you can proceed directly to enameling. The process involves the application of several layers of the composition to the surface of the bathtub with an interval of 15-20 minutes.
It is advisable to use brush or roller is useful for this type of work, these ensures of good quality, which will not leave piles and bubbles behind.
At the end of the enamel application, the tub is left alone until the paint is completely dry. The room should be warm and dry. It is important to make sure that dust and small debris do not settle on the surface, and insects do not come in contact with the surface. Otherwise, all the work done will be ruined. From the time the work ends to the complete drying of the enamel should take about 2 to 3 days.
Restoration of a bathtub with enamel is an affordable and technically simple method of restoring a bath’s surface. For little money, you can restore a tub and refresh the interior of the entire bathroom. I everything is done correctly, the result will be a brilliant white bathroom, which, with careful use and careful maintenance, can remain so for 1 to 5 years.
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SINK✔ Ready for use in 24 hours
✔ Odorless
✔ Pour-on method ArmoGlaze™Starting at: $350
$259
*tax included -
SHOWER✔ Ready for use in 24 hours
✔ Odorless
✔ Pour-on method ArmoGlaze™Starting at: $400
$299
*tax included -
BATHTUB✔ Ready for use in 24 hours
✔ Odorless
✔ Pour-on method ArmoGlaze™Starting at: $500
$399
*tax included
| If Your Bathtub Has Been Resurfaced Before | $50 |
| Abrasive Cleaning Bathtub | $25 |
| Caulking | $25 |
Enameling a bathtub is, of course, a much less expensive undertaking than replacing it. The price for enameling with ordinary enamel starts at $259 and may vary depending on the area to be covered and other nuances.
Covering the tub with acrylic will cost more, but taking into account all the advantages of this method, technicians strongly recommend it. The cost of coating with liquid acrylic also starts at $259 and also depends on cost of products to be used.
The advantage of this method is that the cost of such a service is lower in comparison with other methods. This is due to low demand for such work due to outdated technology and inexpensive materials used. Today, it is still worth paying attention to modern methods.
| Bathtub Reglazing | Bathtub Spraying | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | Over 10 years | 1 to 5 years |
| Time of Work | 2-3 hours | 5-6 hours |
| For One Day? | Yes | 2-3 days |
| Odorless? | Yes | No |
| Ready for Use | 24 hours | from 72 hours |
| Antibacterial Properties | Yes | No |
| COST: | from $259 | from $259 |
Disadvantages of enamel
Even though enameling save you a little money, the whole process takes a very long time, which makes the method completely unacceptable for residential apartments, because tenants are deprived of the opportunity to use the bathroom for a whole week.
Enamel applied at home is not at all as durable as industrial bathtub enameling. The coating is not resistant to scratches and other household damages.
Even with careful use, the bath loses its appearance within the first year - there is no trace of its bright whiteness and gloss.
The enamel layer has micropores, which are clogged with dirt and limescale from hard water. Soft cleaning of the surface will not give the desired effect, and intensive cleaning will contribute to the rapid wear of the coating.
Bathtub Enameling Using Acrylic
Enameling tubs with liquid acrylic is a newer method compared to enameling, which many repairpersons and customers have already fallen in love with. It consists of coating the prepared surface of the bathtub with a liquid acrylic composition.
The result of this restoration is a smooth, shiny, perfectly white bathtub surface, which is indistinguishable from a brand new modern acrylic tub.
The plasticity, strength, durability and external attractiveness of such a coating makes it a leader in the market of restorative materials.
The procedure for performing work differs a little from enameling. The first stage is the removal of the top layer, followed by cleaning and degreasing the surface. Acrylic is applied to the tub without the use of brushes and rollers, simply by pouring it in a thin stream from top to bottom around the entire perimeter.
A good composition is malleable and plastic, has the ability to self-level, which eliminates the appearance of leaks, sags and bubbles. At the very end, the acrylic at the bottom of the bath is leveled with a spatula and left to dry completely.
The period of solidification of the acrylic mixture is 24 hours, after which the bathroom can be fully used.
Benefits of acrylic
Bathtub refinishing using acrylic today is unparalleled in terms of speed, durability, strength, convenience and safety. The ductility of this material ensures its resistance to impact, preventing the appearance of cracks and wears. The smooth texture of the surface which has no micropores does not absorb dirt and can be easily cleaned with a simple soap solution and a soft sponge.
The service life of the acrylic coating is at least 10 years, which makes it very profitable. In addition to this the restoration process requires a minimum of time. Within a day, the customer will be able to enjoy the magnificent result - the view of the renovated bathtub and the fresh interior of the bathroom.
Enameling a tub with acrylic is a method that has no significant drawbacks compared to other methods. For some, it may seem that the disadvantage of acrylic coating is its higher cost. However, many years of being in use, decorative qualities, simplicity and speed of work, as well the materials used being completely safe justify all costs.
Enameling Bathtubs With Enamel or Liquid Acrylic: Which Is Better?
When choosing an enameling method, each customer has the same goals: to invest money as profitably as possible in order to obtain a high-quality and durable coating. In addition, you need to take into account the time spent and possible nuances that may arise in the process of work.
On saving money
When you first look at acrylic and enamel, it is obvious that enameling a bath will cost less. However, if the restoration is done for personal change and the customer is interested in a high-quality coating that lasts for many years, it will be more profitable to choose acrylic.
But if the apartment is being prepared for sale or rent. In this case, enamel will allow you to refresh the bathroom inexpensively.
On Safety
Acrylic is a modern material that meets all safety requirements. It does not cause allergies and irritations, has no smell and does not emit toxic substances.
The repairperson can work with it without protective equipment and without fear for his health. Working with enamel, the master must protect himself from its sharp and pungent odor with the help of a respirator.
On decorative properties
Only acrylic allows you to experiment with colors. It is as simple as adding the desired color to the mixture - and the bath will become not only functional, but also a decorative part of the interior.
Enamel is exclusively white, which significantly narrows the range of possibilities.
On Durability
Immediately after restoration, both enamel and acrylic look excellent: whiteness, gloss, smooth surface. However, in the process of use, the micropores of the enamel will become clogged with dirt and within the first year will lose that bright whiteness.
Acrylic not only lasts longer, but also retains its presentable appearance for many years. If you use the bathroom carefully and clean it carefully, according to all simple instructions, such a coating will last for up to 15 years.
On Time saving
If the restoration is carried out in a residential apartment, lengthy work will create a lot of inconvenience to the residents. In this sense, acrylic becomes the only reasonable solution.
In a day, the tub will be completely ready for use, while it will take a whole week for the enamel to dry completely.
On hygiene
The pores of the enamel coating trap dirt and promote the growth of microbes. In order to keep such a bathtub clean and hygienic, you need to use aggressive cleaning agents that will contribute to the destruction of the coating.
The uniqueness of acrylic is in the fact that is gives a smooth surface without pores, on which bacteria do not develop. A simple cleaning with soapy water is enough to keep the tub clean and safe.
Enameling Baths With Your Own Hands - DIY
When it is important to cut cost on every dollar, you want to do the maximum work yourself, without involving a hired repairperson. The technology of enameling bathtubs with epoxy two-component enamel is not technically complicated and can be performed by an inexperienced person. It will be important to be patient and diligent, as well as have a simple set of devices.
The preparatory stage includes the dismantling of the faucet and siphon so as not to damage them during the painting process. Good ventilation should also be ensured, as enamel for bath restoration has a very pungent odor. It is advisable to free the apartment from tenants for the next 2-3 days and isolate other rooms to prevent the smell of paint from entering them.
The person who will be painting the bathtub must use a respirator to avoid poisoning by toxins. If there are objects that cannot be removed near plcae of the work, they should be wrapped with a film.
An important nuance is the air temperature in the bathroom, where the bathtub will be painted with enamel. It should be warm enough, at least 68 F, so that the material dries no longer than it should.
When the preparatory stage is completed, you can proceed directly to begin work. Most important and most time-consuming is the preparation of the bath. It involves the removal of the old layer of factory enamel and the creation of a homogeneous surface, carefully cleaned from various kinds of defects.
During preparatory stage, the old enamel is removed, and with it rust, dirt, and many years of limescale. If deep damage exists, it is also necessary to carefully work on them.
To clean the bath, use high-quality fabric-based sandpaper and abrasive powder.
This work requires physical effort and patience, but the final result largely depends on the quality of its implementation. If doing it manually takes a very long time, you can use a drill and an abrasive wheel. But then you need to be prepared for a lot of dust and thorough subsequent cleaning.
The cleaned surface of the bath is well washed, removing all the smallest particles and dust, after which it is thoroughly heated, filling it to the brim with hot water. This is necessary for better adhesion of the paint to the surface and uniform drying. After heating, the water is released, and the bath is dried and degreased with any solution suitable for this purpose.
The quality and durability of the coating largely depends on the correct preparation of the two-component paint composition. The enamel is mixed with the hardener strictly following the instructions, for 10 minutes, paying special attention to the walls and bottom of the container. A poorly mixed composition can result to surface heterogeneity, peeling and yellowing.
Painting a bathtub with enamel is the easiest part of the job. Using a brush or roller, the material is evenly distributed over the surface, applying at least 2 layers. Strokes are made in one direction, preferably horizontally. If there is a pile left on the tub from the working tool, you can use tweezers to carefully remove it without ruining your work.
Upon reaching the desired result, the painted bathtub is left for 2-3 days before it can be used. It is important to maintain the required air temperature in the room. Wash the surface with soap before use. For maintenance, use non-aggressive detergents.
Reviews
Enameling a tub with your own hands can take a lot of time for an inexperienced person, but given the low cost of the material, it can be an excellent way out if restoration is necessary and your budget is very limited.
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COST SAVINGS!
This process can save you up to 80% as compared to the price of replacement.
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ODOR FREE!
No need for special ventilation. Eco-Friendly. Near Zero VOC.
- 1 You call us or get a quote
- 2 We schedule an appointment
- 3 The specialist will come to you on time
- 4 The work will take 3 hours, odorless
- 5 After 24 hours, you can start using it like a new tub