No matter how carefully you treat plumbing, time will still leave an imprint on once new products. The abrasive properties of detergents and the mechanical impact on the surfaces of the baths adversely affect the factory enamel, and make it visually unattractive. Two options come to mind - replacement or restoration of the bath. Which method is better, reviews and the financial component of the issue are described in our article.
Cast iron bath restoration
The appearance of indelible rusty stains on the bathroom indicates that the service life of the factory enamel has come to an end. Complete bathtub replacement? But this procedure is technically difficult and expensive. New materials and technologies will allow refresh the surface of plumbing in the shortest possible time, and this:
- Financial savings. Modern plumbing will cost a new owner a lot of money. Let's add to this list: dismantling of the old bathroom, transportation, installation of new plumbing.
- Minimum terms. The practicing master will hand over the work in a time not exceeding the mark of 5 hours, and after 48 hours you can use the updated equipment.
- Quality. The durability of the product, and this depends on the material used and the method of restoration, is 10-15 years.
- Color variation. Often acrylic enamel is produced in white. At the request of the client, by adding color paste, you can get a shade of the bathroom for every taste.
And of course, it is worth mentioning the most important feature of a cast-iron bath - the ability keep warm for a long time. All of the above reasons point to one thing - " No" replacement, " Yes" restoration.
What methods of restoration of cast-iron bathtubs exist
So, we found out that a complete replacement of plumbing in the bathroom will cost us a considerable amount, and besides, it is a waste of personal time.
Let's consider three options for restoration, which, for the optimal price, will give us excellent result:
- acrylic coating. A new method by which a liquid acrylic solution (pouring method) is applied to the surface of the bath. Obtained layer characteristics:
- Lifetime. Depending on the thickness of the layer, it is cured from 8 to 15 years.
- Perfect coverage. The composition spreads well, filling all cracks and irregularities.
- Odor free and hygienic. The bath can be taken by both children and allergy sufferers.
- New layer of enamel. Applying special enamel to the surface of the bath will remind many of the painting process. The cheapness and simplicity of the method lower the physical properties of the updated product:
- Durability. New enamel will last no more than 5 years.
- Coating. The resulting hard coating is sensitive to impacts.
- Appearance. With time , the enamel will definitely turn yellow.
- Acrylic liner. An acrylic liner is laid on the old surface, which completely repeats its contours. Advantages:
- Life time. The strength of acrylic gives the product a service life of up to 15 years.
- Surface. The "bath-to-bath" design completely hides all defects.
- Aesthetic look. Acrylic will never turn yellow, and the plasticity of the material allows you to add new design elements to the bathroom.
Restoration of bathtubs with liquid acrylic
When using liquid acrylic, even in the most neglected cases, you can get an excellent result, and the surface of the bath will become smooth and glossy. In addition to acrylic, the composition of the mixture includes: epoxy resin, hardener and chemical additives that increase the characteristics of the new surface.
Restoration stages:
- Surface preparation. Scratches are polished with sandpaper, rust and chips are removed with a grinder. Debris is removed, the surface is treated with baking soda - degreasing.
- Enamelling. The bathtub can be washed with hot water. A thin layer of the mixture is poured in a small layer onto the side of the structure. Acrylic flows freely along the walls of the bath and joins at the bottom. The resulting voids at the bottom are also filled with liquid until the circle closes.
Do not try to deal with streaks and influxes - this can only damage. When dry (hardening process lasts up to 24 hours), all errors will disappear.
In this video, specialist restorer Artem Babenko will tell and show how he restores a bathtub using liquid acrylic:
Restoration of bathtubs by applying a new layer of enamel
Ideally, enameling takes place in industrial conditions, but special compositions that have recently appeared allow this to be done at home. As a result, you can get a new protective coating without dismantling the bath.
- Preparatory work. Contaminants that have settled on the surface of the bath must be removed. The container of the restored structure must be thoroughly washed and dried.
- Enamel application. Enamel tools are chosen to your taste. It can be a roller, brush, etc. During operation, the solution should be carefully rubbed to prevent the appearance of streaks.
After at least two days, the enamel will completely harden, and the bath will be ready for use.
Restoration of bathtubs with acrylic liner
The two restoration methods described above are labor intensive. What to do if you need to get results in a short time? To do this, there is a “bath to bath” method - installing an acrylic liner on an old surface will allow you to enjoy the updated plumbing in two hours.
- Preparatory work. The dimensions of the old bathroom are carefully carried out, the appropriate frame is selected. The enamel of the old coating is carefully protected with sandpaper - the roughness allows the liner to adhere as accurately as possible to the old bathroom.
- Installation. A sealant is applied around the perimeter of the bathroom (protection from moisture), the rest is filled with special foam. An acrylic tab is installed, and with it a siphon and screws.
For thorough gluing, water should be drawn into the bath - under the influence of the load, the foam will not be able to lift the liner up. Everything is ready, and after two hours you can take water procedures.
Do-it-yourself bath restoration at home
All the methods described in our article do not require the installation of a bathroom, and the work is done at home. Doing the restoration yourself, or inviting a specialist is everyone's business.
Consider the important points to pay attention to when restoring bathtubs at home:
|
Foreign objects. |
No matter what the work is in vain, it is necessary to completely secure any possibility of foreign objects getting on the drying surface of the bath: washcloths, creams, soaps, shampoos should be hidden. Remember - even a hair falling on the enamel can spoil the work done. |
|
Proper surface preparation. |
An improperly prepared surface of an old bathtub can cause the new layer to swell or chip away. Only conscientious cleaning (grinder, drill, sandpaper) and degreasing (baking soda) will achieve an excellent result. |
|
Preparation of liquid acrylic. |
After adding the hardener to the main components, stir the mixture with a whisk for at least 7-9 minutes. Then give the acrylic about 4-5 minutes to polymerize, and for another 5 minutes, mix the resulting solution manually. If the acrylic is not properly prepared, the enamel may not harden or turn yellow in places. |
The best way to get rid of the waste of personal time and considerable financial investments to replace the unattractive appearance of the enamel of sanitary ware is to restore the bathtub. Which way is better, reviews and a great opportunity to save an old cast iron bathroom will allow you to make the right choice.
Video lesson: restoring the coating in the bath
In this video, master Evgeny Pogrebnoy will tell you how to restore an old, rusty bathroom coating with self-leveling acrylic:
The unpresentable appearance of old plumbing is not yet a reason to part with it, especially when there is an alternative. Full restoration of the enamel of a cast-iron bathtub is an effective and inexpensive way to return your “hot tub” to its former attractiveness.
Any plumbing eventually loses its attractive whiteness. In such a bath, with a rough surface, you don’t feel like climbing into it yourself, and it’s a shame to show guests and throw it away. In addition, a bath with numerous cracks from a stronghold of cleanliness turns into a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and fungus. Is it worth it once again to strain the immune system when the unfavorable environmental situation already creates a lot of problems for it. The most optimal way out of this situation is to restore the enamel of the old bath.
Restoration of old enamel
As a rule, the restoration of bathtubs is started for several reasons.
- Temporary housing. When an apartment is rented or, conversely, rented out, it makes no sense to spend money on expensive plumbing.
- Financial question. The old bath has already lost its presentation, and buying a new one is not included in the immediate plans.
- Planning features. Dismantling and removal of the old cast-iron bowl is not possible. You can, of course, break it, but it's a pity.
Restoration of a cast-iron bathtub is usually carried out in one of three ways: coating the bathtub with enamel, liquid acrylic, or installing an acrylic liner.
There is, however, another rather extravagant solution on how to update a cast-iron bath - to overlay it with mosaics. But this option, rather, refers to decoration, it is quite troublesome and impractical.
Preparatory work
Before you update an old cast-iron bath at home, you need to prepare the enameled surface for restoration. Preparation is carried out in several stages: rust removal, grinding, degreasing. Each of them ends with a thorough washing of the surface with hot water.
- Rust removal. Acids, which are part of most products, when interacting with metal oxides, turn them into colorless salts. Treatment begins with sparing solutions of oxalic or acetic acid. Wash off the solution after 30-40 minutes. If after that the rust still remains, you can clean it mechanically.
- Grinding. After removing the rust, the bath is ground, using a grinder, drill or sandpaper.
- Deep chips and cracks, rubbed with auto-filler. These areas are further polished.
- Degreasing. Use baking soda or special cleaners that are thoroughly washed off with hot water only.
When the bath is dry, remove the drain and overflow. A container is placed under the lower drain, into which the enamel will drain. Fine dust and sand are collected with a vacuum cleaner. The surfaces adjacent to the bath are pasted over with construction tape. Bath coating with epoxy or acrylic enamel involves the application of a primer. Use the building composition specified by the paint manufacturer.
Preparatory work
Do-it-yourself bath enameling
The easiest and most affordable way to restore enamel. For painting, in addition to the classic epoxy enamel, a more effective and expensive cast iron bath paint can be used.
Important! Epoxy composition consists of two components - hardeners and bases. Mix them immediately before application. Depending on the manufacturer, the shelf life of the finished mixture is from 30 to 45 minutes.
Enamel technique
The diluted epoxy mixture is flammable and toxic, therefore, covering the bathtub with such enamel requires the use of personal protective equipment (respirator, rubber gloves). Apply the material with a terry roller or natural brush. Enamel starts from the sides to the bottom, trying to apply a layer of paint evenly and as thinly as possible. When the bowl is already painted on the sides, the bottom also passes. In areas where the enamel layer is thicker than necessary, it must be smeared, directing the brush to the bottom. Painting a bathroom with epoxy enamel involves applying at least 3 layers.
15 minutes after applying the last layer, the painted surface is checked for smudges. And if they are, they are smeared with a brush, but already from the bottom up. Poor quality paint for a cast iron bath can leak for a long time, so it is necessary to periodically check that the enamel coating of the bath is even.
The enamel dries completely after 1-2 days, but it is recommended to use the bath only after 5 days. After drying, the surface is polished with a piece of flannel with a small amount of polishing paste.
Bathtub enameling
Important! During the drying period of the enamel, it is necessary to provide suitable conditions for the room. If the air humidity is high, stains or cracks may appear on a fresh coating. And the presence of sand or dust will significantly reduce the life of the coating.
Advantages:
- Enameling a cast-iron bath with your own hands will be inexpensive.
- Minimum demolition work.
Flaws:
- After some time, the enamel acquires a yellow tint.
- Operational terms of paints up to 5 years.
- You can use the bath after recovery after a week.
- Irregularities in the factory coating are not hidden by a layer of enamel.
liquid acrylic
Restoration with liquid acrylic "filling bath"
Enamel restoration with liquid acrylic has nothing to do with enamelling, except for the surface preparation steps. As a result of the work carried out, the composition applied to the old enamel will harden, forming a kind of acrylic liner in the bathroom.
Surface preparation is carried out in the above sequence. So that chips or cracks do not appear on the restored surface, they are puttied immediately before the primer. Use car putty with fiberglass. Apply the material to the damaged areas with a rubber spatula. In the process of applying acrylic, water may drip from the tap, and this will end the restoration of the cast-iron bath with your own hands. To avoid problems, the tap is wrapped with a towel and deceived with a plastic bag.
Liquid acrylic application technology
When the bath is prepared, open the bucket with acrylic and remove the remnants of the material from its inner walls with a rubber spatula. The components of the composition are thoroughly mixed using a special nozzle on a drill (corolla). The drain is closed with a plastic cup. A bucket of acrylic is placed on the bottom of the bath. The finished mixture is poured into a small container. Often use ordinary plastic cups, with a volume of 0.5 liters.
Application of liquid acrylic
The restoration of a cast-iron bath begins with the sides, all the acrylic is poured around the perimeter of the bowl. Then, with a spatula, lightly distribute along the edge and in the corners. When the mixture drains to the bottom, unfilled areas remain on the walls of the bath. Acrylic is lifted to them with a spatula, moving from bottom to top. Do-it-yourself bath restoration should be done quickly.
If the bottom of the bath is not completely filled, I pull acrylic to it with a spatula from the area around the drain. When the entire surface of the cast-iron bowl is evenly filled, remove the plastic cup that covered the drain, and the rest of the mixture flows into the substituted container. It will take an average of 24 hours to completely dry the material. Much depends on the temperature and the percentage composition of the hardener. But it is recommended to use the bath only after 2-3 days.
Advice! The resulting influxes should not be immediately corrected, after the acrylic enamel dries, they will disappear.
The color of the acrylic must match the previous shade of the enamel, otherwise stains may appear on the restored surface. To change the color of the mixture, a special tinting paste is added to it while stirring, part of which should not exceed 3% of the total mass.
Advantages
- Short drying time.
- Durable coating.
- Does not turn yellow over time.
- The wet surface of acrylic is not slippery.
- Service life 5-10 years
Flaws
- The application technology is quite complex and requires some experience.
Bath after restoration with liquid acrylic
Acrylic liner "bath to bath"
Several method names display the same essence. In the process of bath restoration, a new plastic bowl is glued to its inner surface, identically repeating the shape of the old one.
The acrylic insert in the bathtub is manufactured in the factory, in accordance with current standards. The back side of the bowl can be additionally reinforced with fiberglass. Interestingly, this recovery technology was developed over 40 years ago and has not changed much since then. A good quality acrylic insert should be at least 6mm thick.
Acrylic bath liner
Preparation and restoration of baths in this way is easily done by hand. Cleaning and grinding of enamel in this case is not required. It is only recommended to putty chips and cracks, if any. Old elements are removed: drain, overflow and plumbing. After that, remove the sides adjacent to the bath. Ceramic elements are cut off from the rest of the tile with a diamond disc and carefully dismantled.
Mounting Features
After making sure that the acrylic insert in the bath is the right size, it is marked out, cut and drilled drain holes. In the bowl of the old bath, a sealant is applied around the drain and overflow, and a special glue is applied to the rest of the bath surface, on which the insert will be fixed. After that, the acrylic insert is carefully installed in the bath. Remove excess silicone on technological holes and install decorative grilles. The bath is filled with cold water to the brim and left for 12 hours.
During the repair, you want to restore order everywhere, including in the bathroom. A new wall covering, a beautiful ceiling, fresh plumbing… There is only one important nuance - an old bathtub with a terrible yellowed and cracked coating, on the surface of which there can be quite terrible black chips. This element of convenience in an apartment is not so easy to change as it seems, and it is an expensive pleasure. But there is a way out. A coating that has lost its appearance can be restored, and quite quickly and cheaply. In this case, it will be easy to cope without the help of professionals. Restoring the enamel coating of a bathroom with your own hands is quite realistic and does not require a huge amount of money.
Why "save" the bath?
Before you know how to revive the old bathroom flooring without completely replacing it, you need to figure out why restore it at all. Why not just buy and install a new one?
A new bathroom costs a lot of money, and especially a high-quality, cast-iron one. Of course, you can buy an ordinary metal one, but it gives a certain discomfort to the residents living in the apartment: filling with water is accompanied by a loud sound that even neighbors hear in thin-walled houses.
You still need to manage to install a new bath, while dismantling the old one. And it's not as easy as it seems. Such work will entail a large amount of garbage, besides heavy. At the same time, women will not be able to cope with it - in any case, strong male hands are needed and those who dismantle everything will endure. And just apply a new enamel coating can, probably, everyone.
Fortunately, the factory enamel in the bathtub is quite durable, and some apartment owners do not even have to deal with such a procedure as its restoration. This can be achieved thanks to a special technology by which the application takes place. The blank of the bath is subjected to strong heating and only then is covered with a protective coating, that is, enamel. In theory, it can last for centuries, but due to the constant cleaning and treatment of the bath, this does not happen. On the contrary, the bath slowly but surely loses its appearance, the enamel turns yellow and becomes not smooth to the touch, but rough.
Yes, enamel is needed not only for beauty - it also protects the bath from the effects of various aggressive factors (for example, cleaning products, water of different temperatures). Without enamel, the metal loses some of its qualities - for example, at the site of damage, the cast iron will begin to rust, and the rust will spread further and further, destroying the product.
Attention! If damage to the enamel is not repaired in a timely manner, then rust can destroy the entire product or drastically change the appearance of the bath.
Of course, it is impossible to create factory conditions in an apartment and ideally restore the enamel, too. But it can still be reapplied, which will help return the bath to a beautiful and neat appearance. And this is without unnecessary financial and physical costs.
Note! , applied at home on its own, will not be able to serve as long as the factory one, but it is still capable of turning your old bath into a new one for quite a long time. But you need to handle it with care - it is less resistant to mechanical / chemical influences and can even change color due to contact with certain substances.
In general, now there are the following methods for restoring the appearance of the bathroom.
- acrylic coating- the so-called bulk bath. The inner part of the structure is filled with liquid acrylic.
- Acrylic liner- sold in hardware stores or made to order. Placed in the bath.
- Replacing an old bathtub with a new one.
- enamel coating- simply put, applying special paint to the inner surface of the bowl.
What will be needed?
In order to carry out restoration work, you will need certain materials and tools:
- respirator;
- brush, roller for applying enamel;
- old clothes or apron;
- rubber gloves;
- grinder or sandpaper;
- old rags;
- primer;
- acetone;
- bath restoration kit - in other words, bath enamel.
Now on the construction market there is a large selection of different enamels for bathtubs, aimed at both professionals and home craftsmen. At the same time, if you are a beginner, then it is better to purchase the simplest option - it does not require special skills to use. Such enamels are sold both in aerosol cans and in cans (applied with a brush or a small roller).
Note! It is best to use the composition that is intended for application with a brush - it perfectly covers the old coating, it is easy to work with. Aerosol products are chosen when it is necessary to restore a small chip - the enamel in this case lies unevenly.
A bathtub restoration kit usually consists of two components - a hardener and the enamel itself. There should also be a preparation that will help prepare the bath itself for painting. By the way, replacing the enamel is a great option for choosing a new bath color. The latter can be painted in blue, red, green and other colors using special colors.
Table. Bath restoration kits.
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
"Reaflex-50" | This set is aimed at professionals, it is very liquid, so it will be difficult for a beginner to work with it. To close the old coating, you will need to apply the composition several times. Restoration of the bath will take at least a week, as each layer must be thoroughly dried. But the coverage is excellent. |
"Svetlana and Fantasy" | These are enamels of medium density, they are easy to apply, without much spreading, which is optimal for an inexperienced restorer. Easy to apply with a brush. The kit also includes a preparation that treats the surface of the bath before starting work. You can use special colors. |
"Epoksin-51" | Thick, rather viscous enamel, which is applied with a brush - in the density lies the whole complexity of the work. At the same time, the enamel spreads perfectly, leaving no streaks. Does not require pre-spackling. Dry for at least 2 days. |
| A group of drugs that are not inherently enamel. They cover the surface well, are applied easily - just pour the bath with this product. |
Preparing the bath for the procedure
Before proceeding with the coating of the bathtub with new enamel, it is imperative to prepare the surface to be treated. It should become smooth and as light as possible.
Step 1. The bath is cleaned of rust. This will help special preparations based on acids. Many of them are quite effective. For example, a preparation based on hydrochloric acid will remove red spots in just 10 minutes, but it will also destroy all the remaining enamel in whole pieces. It is also important to rinse this product well from the surface of the bath and be sure to follow the instructions for use. There are also more gentle preparations that are not so fast, but still effectively cope with rust. Oxalic acid-based products work well, acting more accurately than hydrochloric acid-based preparations. Preparations of the latter type are washed off with water after 30-40 minutes.
Step 2 Next, you need to make the surface of the bath rough from the inside - either sandpaper or a grinder is used for this. The latter will greatly speed up the work. It is important to clean all chips and cracks well.
Step 3 After working with a grinder, it is necessary to wash off all dust and dirt from the surface of the bath. After that, the surface is degreased with acetone.
Step 4 The next stage is the application of a primer, for example, GF-020. The layer of this substance should be well dried for about two days.
Advice! A reflector will help speed up the drying process. And by the way, it is not necessary to apply a primer.
Step 5 Now you should warm up the bath well - hot water is drawn into it. But you can also use a building hair dryer - in this case, you do not need to additionally dry the bath.
The bathtub is now ready for resurfacing.
Enamel bath
We continue restoration work. Now we move on to coating the bathtub with enamel from the inside.
Step 1. The restoration kit is prepared for use in accordance with the instructions. The enamel should be well mixed to a homogeneous mass.
Step 2 Using a brush, the enamel is applied in long or short strokes. Long top down and bottom up, and then right-left or short bottom-up-right-left. Corners, areas near drain holes are carefully stained.
Step 3 Thus, the enamel is applied several times. Each of the layers must be thoroughly dried in accordance with the instructions.
Bath enamel prices
bath enamel
Video - Enamel bath
Chips and scratches
To restore the former beauty of the enamel, it is not always necessary to resort to drastic measures and paint the entire bath. Sometimes it's enough just to repair chips and scratches. To do this is not so difficult.
For example, a mixture of dry white with BF-2 glue will help get rid of small scratches. It is simply applied to those places where there is little damage. At the same time, it should be applied in several layers so that the latter does not protrude above the surface of the main enamel coating. It is convenient to apply the substance with a regular brush.
For deeper chips, a preparation based on nitro enamel is suitable, to which "Supercement" is added - a special construction adhesive. The mixture is prepared in a ratio of 1:1. The resulting substance is also applied in layers, each of which is given time to dry (approximately 24 hours).
Also, a mixture of zinc white with epoxy (1: 2) will help to cope with severe damage. After mixing the epoxy according to the rules, the remaining components are added to it. Zinc white can be easily replaced with fragments of porcelain. Such a mixture applied to the cleavage site will dry for at least 5 days, but it will serve for many years.
When carrying out these works, it is worth making sure that the color of the enamel and paint with which the scratch will be restored match. Otherwise, the bath will be spotty.
And finally - a few valuable and useful tips.
Attention! All chemicals used in restoration work are poisonous and hazardous to health, so personal safety measures cannot be neglected. If the work is done incorrectly, there is a high risk of getting to the hospital.
Restoration of a bathtub with the replacement of old enamel with a new one is a completely independently feasible way to restore the product to its former beauty. At the same time, the new coating will serve for at least 5 years with a careful attitude towards itself. Of course, later you will have to paint the bath again, but considering how much cheaper this type of work is than all the others, it is definitely worth it. By the way, an important factor affecting the long service life of enamel is the chemical composition of water. It is also desirable to take this into account when choosing a method for restoring a bathtub.
Restoration is a great chance to change the color of the bath
For you, dear residents and guests of the city. We are pleased to offer a bathtub restoration service in Moscow. Any shapes and sizes, cast iron and iron.
On this page, you can see what your refurbished bathroom will look like. Also here are the current prices for Moscow and its suburbs: Zelenograd, New Moscow, Troitsky, Khimki, Solnechnogorsk,
Your benefits
Why you should entrust the restoration of bath enamel to us.
- Financial discipline - The price is strictly fixed.
- The price includes travel and work.
- Double cleaning of the surface.
- Free leveling and strengthening of the bottom.
- Puttying of chips and cracks is free of charge.
- Tinting is carried out at the request of the customer and is also free.
- Experienced workers from 5 years, strictly Slavs.
- Prompt execution of work in 2.5-3 hours.
Our works:
Bathtub embellishment.
Bathtub restoration.
Restoration of bath enamel.
Bath renovation.
Bathtub restoration.
Restoration of bathtubs Moscow: price
The cost of enameling and restoration of bathtubs in Moscow
| Type of restoration (work + material) | Price ₽: |
|---|---|
| Bulk bath | from |
| 1.2 Size. Restoration with liquid acrylic | 3200 |
| 1.5 Size. Restoration with liquid acrylic | 3500 |
| 1.7 Size. Restoration with liquid acrylic | 3600 |
| Liquid Acrylic Shower Tray Restoration | 2900 |
| Stripping the old layer | 600 |
| Restoration of the sink with liquid acrylic when ordering a bathtub + sink | 500 |
| 3 year warranty on all workmanship. | |
| Enameling with a brush. | Price ₽: |
| 120 Size. Bathtub enameling | 3100 |
| 150 size. Bathtub enameling | 3200 |
| 170 size. Bathtub enameling | 3300 |
| Pallet enamelling | 2500 |
| Cleaning a previously painted bath | 600 |
| Warranty 1 year. | |
| Full price list for our services | |
Restoration of bathtubs in Moscow
Our portfolio
We understand what we are doing, a specific service. Unlike a physical product, which can be examined in detail before purchase. Feel in the store. Restoration with acrylic, as well as with enamel in Moscow, is done at home. And you can’t put it on display ... Therefore, this section has been created where you can look at the final result. Everything is done by our employees. There are examples made in Moscow. Images are enlarged by clicking on them with the mouse.
Restoration of bath enamel.
Bulk enamel, the strongest material to date.
Restoration of the surface of the cast iron bath. Since the construction of the house, it has been installed with a slope back, and now the water does not drain completely, constantly forming a puddle at the bottom. She regularly had to be “raked” by hand. Otherwise, the drying water formed a rim of lime scale, which was very difficult to clean. The restoration of the bathtub enamel was carried out on site, without its dismantling and adjacent tiles. Before the restoration of the bath, the dilapidated, “Soviet” drain was replaced. We highly recommend this procedure whenever possible. Since the new siphon looks beautiful in the updated glossy bathtub. And the price of replacing the drain is quite acceptable, and cheaper than ordering it separately from plumbers. As for the restoration of the bathtub enamel, in such cases, when frankly rusty water flows from the mixer, we recommend restoring the bathtub with NEM epoxy-acrylic enamel. In our studies, this material showed the highest resistance to acid and impact, fracture.
Acrylic bathtub painting.
All types of baths are possible.
A cast-iron bathtub is a good and strong frame, the weak point is its enamel. It is she who eventually becomes unusable. You can buy a new one by spending a lot of money and time on it. Or you can just paint with enamel, without removing it, the price will be much lower, and the time to work is only a couple of hours. As a result, the bath is again smooth, shiny and glossy, which is easy to clean with a household sponge.
In the photo, just such an option:
Liquid acrylic was used to paint the bathtub. Made in Germany. The advantage of this acrylic is that subsequently the surface can be washed with acidic products. The drain has also been replaced. If it is removable and open access, we strongly advise you to do this. Although it is permissible to paint the bath without removing the siphon.
Bathtub embellishment.
When it's better than buying a new one.
Enamelling bath Moscow, at the time of the order she was 6 years old. As the client said, initially he had a solid, cast iron, with smooth sides. Over time, it became rough, he decided not to enamel the bath and replaced it with a modern iron one. So that the enameled iron bath would not rattle from the pouring water, he foamed the space between the bottom and the floor under it. I thought it would be for a long time. She stayed with him for 6 and a half years. He didn't want to start over again. It was decided to order the service “enamelling with liquid acrylic”. He didn't guess.
Restoration of bathtubs with liquid acrylic.
The best choice for areas with particularly polluted water.
Restoration of bathtubs in Moscow. Plumbing is covered with a red coating that is very difficult to clean. The customer hesitated for a long time about whether to do the staining, pouring, or even change it to a new one. It makes no sense to change it if rusty liquid flows from the tap, as the factory coating wears out quickly from aggressive cleaners. You can restore the surface with any material, but in this case, the bathtub was restored with liquid acrylic, which simplifies its cleaning in the future and increases the life of the restored enamel.
Bath renovation.
Renewal of old enamel with liquid acrylic.
The bathtub enamel was renewed using the "Pouring" method, that is, it was filled with white liquid acrylic. The ferruginous water left a rusty, yellow coating on the surface, and it had to be washed off with chemicals, which in turn corroded the surface layer. Restoration of bathtubs with liquid acrylic corrects surface roughness and covers any plaque stains. You can click on the photo to enlarge.
Good to know…
The capital and Moscow region is the largest region of our country.
Lots of baths. Many of them are very old, there are many people who want to upgrade. Naturally, there are many firms on this basis. Offering a service for their restoration in our city. Some offer restoration with enamels, believing that acrylic is a waste of money, while some, on the contrary, update with liquid acrylic or install liners and, at any opportunity, they say that painting with enamel is not serious and not for long.
Many people know the saying “every frog praises its own swamp”. And one can only be glad for those restorers who so zealously protect their business. But, as you know, people are not interested in the ideological beliefs of the masters, but in the most rational method of restoring the enamel of a bathtub in your area. No matter how the restorers claim, there is no unambiguous panacea. Sometimes it is more rational to do the classic work “Bath Enameling”, and sometimes it is better to do the restoration with liquid acrylic.
And, to help you understand, it would be useful to read an article about the methods of bath restoration that exist today. About the pros and cons of these methods and how baths are updated. So it will be possible to answer for yourself the question of which is better, coating the bath with enamel or pouring with acrylic. Also, for clarity, understanding how the restored surface will look like, we post a few examples: see the photos in our portfolio.
Like any coating, enamel becomes thinner over time, rust spots, stains, and chips appear on it. When the most effective chemical cleaners containing abrasives fail to fix the problem, most owners decide to change equipment.
But having assessed the laboriousness of installation work with material costs, they begin to look for alternative options related to updating the old cast-iron bath. Despite the aesthetically unsightly appearance, a design that is quite suitable for performing the main function in accordance with all operational characteristics will last another half a century. It's all about the enamel. This means that a new one is required, and thanks to new technologies, this manipulation is carried out as soon as possible.
Restoration or replacement of a cast-iron bath?
A radical method is the replacement of a sanitary container. First of all, you need to calculate how much this procedure will cost. We sum up the cost of an ordinary classic bathtub with the cost of its delivery, including transportation and loading, taking into account the desired floor. Dismantling of old equipment and installation of new equipment are carried out in accordance with the price list of the company. According to the most conservative estimates, you will need at least 13,000 rubles. This does not take into account damage to the wall and floor covering, which is inevitable in any type of installation work. Partial replacement of cracked fragments and cosmetic repairs will be required. The conclusion is that getting rid of the old and installing a new bathroom is quite troublesome and costly.
Isn't it better to think about restoration, with the good functionality of an old bathtub with a thinned or washed off white surface? Moreover, a large amount does not guarantee an excellent result, since the purchase of the least budget capacity was originally implied. When choosing a higher quality convenient or design project, the costs can increase significantly. If this method does not suit the owners, they think about affordable and effective restoration options. It is important to approach this issue competently, choosing the best solution.
Restoring the old surface layer by "pouring" acrylic is the most popular way. Know-how technology was appreciated by most consumers due to its simplicity and low cost. With this method, a liquid synthetic mass is poured onto the inner lining of the bathroom.
Advantages of bulk acrylic:
- long wear resistance. With proper application, the service life is calculated for a period of 8-15 years;
- Due to the density and plasticity of synthetics, an even, smooth surface structure is formed;
- The fluid mass smooths out all sorts of defects and scratches;
- Acrylic is applied at high speed, a simple application technology allows you to bring the volumetric surface layer up to 6 mm;
- The filling is characterized by the absence of a specific smell, so allergy sufferers, children and the elderly will not need other housing for the duration of the repair.
Significant disadvantages of bulk acrylic are:
- long drying of the composition - 3 days;
- Coating sensitivity. It is unacceptable for dust, dust to get on the drying plane, otherwise it will deteriorate;
- The external apparent simplicity of the technological operation is extremely deceptive. In fact, pouring acrylic requires certain skills in working with a liquid mass;
- Relatively high material costs compared to enameling. But the cost pays off taking into account the increased service life and high quality.
Often, the oldest method of restoration is painting, when a special enamel is applied to a worn coating. The owner should think about how to refresh old equipment? There are two types of enamels: for professional use and for domestic purposes. The structure of the first is the thinnest, you will need to apply at least 3-5 layers. This is a labor intensive procedure. The latter are characterized by a thicker structure and, accordingly, a two-layer styling is easier to apply. The liquid coating is applied with a roller or brush, trying to distribute evenly over the cleaned canvas.
Advantages of the enameling method:
- is the most economical restoration option;
- there is no need to dismantle the drain and the overflow will not require reconstruction;
- this method is intended not only for cast iron products, but also for steel containers.
Enameling has the following disadvantages:
- short service life, less than 5 years;
- drying time is about a week;
- at the exit, the coating is non-glossy, uneven, sensitive to deformations;
- a thin layer of enamel is not able to mask dents, chips, which may show through over time;
- the appearance of a yellow tint during operation, since the original factory epoxy coating is radically different in composition;
Cold enameling is considered the cheapest and easiest way to restore. It can be compared to painting a canvas with a special composition. To prolong the life of the enamel, you need to listen to the following recommendations:
- to wash the renewed cast-iron coating, it is not necessary to use abrasive cleaners that violate the integrity of the coating, but a solution of washing powder or soap;
- a new container must be protected from shock, sharp objects can scratch the acrylic sheet;
- enamel does not tolerate boiling water, it can crack. When filling the bath, before opening the tap with hot water, they first let cold water in, and not vice versa.
Acrylic liner
For option 3, additional equipment is required - an acrylic liner, which is mounted using the "bath to bath" method. Such a two-layer construction will last about 15 years. At the same time, a new acrylic liner is installed inside the old structure, which ideally repeats its outlines. The stability of the additional element is carried out by means of technical adhesive foam.
This method has the following advantages:
- acrylic is a more durable material than enamel;
- due to perfect alignment, all defects and deformations of the cast-iron sheet are smoothed out;
- inert material does not turn yellow until the end of the service;
- the two-layer design successfully combines all the advantages of acrylic and cast iron.
Disadvantages of acrylic liner:
- it will be necessary to dismantle the drain siphon;
- it is forbidden to apply the acrylic structure to areas of lightweight or thin cast iron, otherwise the bath will bend and the adhesive layer will move away from the fixing insert;
- with the "bath to bath" method, the materials must comply with the standards. Low-quality inserts or a composition not intended for gluing metal will nullify all efforts;
- careful measurement of the insert is required, down to the millimeter. The slightest discrepancies with the parameters of the main structure are unacceptable.
All 3 methods of restoration are simple and effective, they provide for preliminary degreasing and removal of dirt and limescale. Grease marks can be removed using oxalic acid or baking soda. Then proceed to a thorough cleaning, eliminating plaque and deformed fragments until a flat plane is obtained. The next stage is grinding, the purpose of which is to obtain a rough surface with the bark. Irregularities of the web in contact with the adhesive will provide the maximum degree of adhesion.
To restore or not - objective conclusions
After weighing all the pros and cons, the owner must decide whether to dismantle or restore much-needed plumbing equipment. But with competent and qualified restoration work using high quality materials, the updated bath will look like new. If possible, you should trust experienced craftsmen who have proven themselves on the good side. Then an excellent result for relatively little money is provided.
Cast iron bath restoration video
Loading...