Learn how to Fix and Restore a Clawfoot Bathtub » Residence Style

The charm and class of a clawfoot bathtub can quickly diminish if it shows signs of wear and tear and tear. To preserve the unique and exquisite appearance that this vintage piece brings to your bathroom, it’s essential to update and refinish it, respiration recent life into the space.

Clawfoot bathtub refinishing is a technique used to return forged iron tubs to their original appearance and wonder. The refinished claw foot tubs, pedestal sinks, and antique lavatory look completely restored and repaired. This refinishing method makes porcelain glower and pretty much as good as recent. Clawfoot tubs are at all times the centre and principal thing in a rest room that’s of concern during remodelling. Unlike acrylics and acrastone, the bathtub cleansing using refinishing method is vital because the clawfoot tub is a top quality antique.

Restoring your clawfoot bathtub to its former glory generally is a rewarding DIY project, and once completed, you’ll feel a way of pride and satisfaction. Nevertheless, should you’re not up for the challenge, hiring a contractor may be one of the best option for you.

Refinishing clawfoot bathtub doesn’t have a specification on what color the tactic applies and works for. Clawfoot bathtubs exist in several colors reminiscent of white, almond, bone, and candy apple all of which might be restored. A lot of the bathtub designs are known to have a rough back that’s manufactured from forged iron. When repairing and restoring the bathtub, the outer forged iron requires to be scrubbed using sandpaper to do away with the outside color coating, rust, and corrosion. The outcomes at all times give the outer part a glossy and smooth finish and it could afterward be painted and covered in a color.it is usually advisable to have the outside ending treated with either gold, bronze, or nickel. Finally, the bathtub’s faucets, drains, handles and overflow covers might be replaced in case additionally they have repairing issues.

A clawfoot tub’s feet is essentially the most difficult part to match and fix in case of damages. The feet requirements for every variety of clawfoot tub are different and unique hence must be matched fastidiously. The feet might be locally prepared by the owner and a few may even need the assistance of an authority to repair. The feet are essential since they supply the possibility to repair the bathtub to the drainage system by lifting it higher are required by plumbing. it’s due to this fact key that the bathtub is elevated at the tip of its restoration to be functional.

Steps followed when refinishing the bathtub are.

First the plumbing parts reminiscent of drains, faucets, and overflows are disconnected from the bath itself. Most individuals prefer to switch these parts with recent ones at the tip of the restoration process. This ensures that the drainage system experiences no leakages. The following one needs to arrange the work area by spreading cover clothes in the world around and on items that must be shielded from damages from the method. Masking and sheer tapes could also be utilized in the coverup to make sure parts like partitions, electronics, vents, and mechanical property is well protected. The third step requires the usage of sandpaper to clean the outer parts of the bathtub. This process helps to do away with paints and the outer layer of the bathtub to make sure that at the tip of the repair session the bathtub can have an entire finish.

You could use fine-grit sandpaper or a mechanical sander to do that efficiently. Be sure to remove any existing finish and rough spots.

The following step involves the usage of brushes to wash the areas that will not be easily accessible reminiscent of crevices and plumbing holes, amongst others. The cleansing of such hidden parts will also be done using a stainless-steel wire brush to have the ability to do away with all of the dirt and debris in these places. The bathtub is then cleansing with soap water, but an individual should make sure that it now not has remaining dirt or dust in order that the painting process might be effective. This might be done using a clean piece of material. The following procedure that follows is sealing the inner a part of the bathtub with some plastic sheets. The outside of the bathtub is then sprayed with rusty metal primer to stop the further formation and spread of rust on the outer parts with the time of usage. A primary coating of the primer needs to be spayed, the outside left to dry, then spay the subsequent primer coating. The outer parts may all must be coated with primer including under the bathtub and the feet.

Be sure to decide on a high-quality epoxy primer. By following this step, you’ll be able to achieve a flawless finish, as it’ll enhance the paint’s adhesion to the surface.

The bathtub exterior can then be painted using spray paint or another preferred paint type. The painted tub is then left to take a seat and dry for a while. Spray paint will be the best variety of paint to make use of because it fully covers every part evenly, nevertheless, brush painting gives the painting a thicker and more protective coating. The proper fixtures for plumbing requirements can then be assembled and acquired in case some are missing. The pieces needs to be exact for them to suit perfectly into the plumbing system. Finally, the bathtub might be reconnected, and curtains placed in readiness to be used.

Remember to cure the paint well before using the bathtub. Curing takes hours and, in some cases, even days. You could be patient to realize optimal results and never damage this job you worked so hard for.  

Conclusion 

Restoring and refinishing this antique piece is just not a straightforward task. But when you get your hands dirty and attain the job beautifully, you’ll see that the labour of affection you poured in is value all the hassle.