Applying enamel to a cast iron bath. Do-it-yourself bath restoration: preparation and step-by-step bathroom restoration. Step #3 - Paint the Cast Iron Bowl

The unpresentable appearance of old plumbing is not yet a reason to part with it, especially when there is an alternative. Complete restoration of enamel cast iron bath- an effective and inexpensive way to restore your "jacuzzi" 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 the extra stress? immune system when the unfavorable environmental situation already creates a lot of problems for it. The best way out of this situation is to restore enamel 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. 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 simplest and affordable way enamel restoration. 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 de installation 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 material to damaged areas 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 total weight.

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 restoring the bath, on its inner surface glue a new plastic bowl, 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 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 being filled cold water to the brim and leave for 12 hours.

Cast iron bathtubs are not in vain very popular with buyers. Even though the market is filled with acrylic and steel taxes, cast-iron models not only do not go out of fashion, but also strengthen their positions. The reason for this demand is quite simple - a cast iron bath is durable, and at the same time it perfectly retains heat. However, over time, the coating of the cast-iron bath wears out, chips, spots and cracks appear on it. In such a situation, there can be only two options for solving the problem - restoring enamel on a cast-iron bath or buying a new one.

If we talk about buying, then it is worth considering a number of points that significantly affect the price of the issue, namely:

• in addition to the cost of a new bathtub, the dismantling of the old model and its disposal should be taken into account;
• the cost of delivery, transportation and loading of the purchased bath significantly increase its final cost;
• restoration of cast-iron bathtubs allows you to avoid such moments as installation and connection, because when restoring enamel, you do not have to overpay for installation and dismantling.

Restoration of cast iron bathtubs

If you are not used to wasting money and time in vain, you will certainly be interested in such a service as the restoration of cast-iron bathtubs. Modern technologies and innovative materials allow you to return the bathtub to a radiant look and presentability in the shortest possible time at no extra cost.

Our advantages

Quality materials from Germany directly from the manufacturer

The material is non-toxic, odorless! Hardening - 20 hours

We work without prepayment, under the contract. Responsible approach

Experienced craftsmen. We have been restoring bathtubs for over 10 years.

Warranty up to 5 years! Service life of material 15 years

Prompt order fulfillment. Technical support

Price for restoration of a cast-iron bath

Bathtub 120 cm.

• German quality.
• Drying 20 hours.
• Service life of 15 years!

3 800 rub.

3 500 rub.

Bathtub 150 cm.

• German quality.
• Drying 20 hours.
• Service life of 15 years!

4 000 rub.

3 700 rub.

Bathtub 170 cm.

• German quality.
• Drying 20 hours.
• Service life of 15 years!

4 200 rub.

3 900 rub.

Restoration of enamel on a cast-iron bath

Restoration of cast iron bathtubs in Moscow is one of the services offered by our company. Even if your bath has completely lost its original appearance, do not rush to look for a replacement. The unique enamel restoration technology on a cast-iron bathtub will transform it, eliminating the need for an expensive purchase.

By contacting us, you can be sure that:

• all work on the restoration of the cast-iron bath will be performed at the highest level;
• you will be provided with a guarantee for all types of services provided;
• the quality of work will not cause any complaints;
• the cost of restoration will not hit your pocket.

Call us and make sure that the restoration of the enamel on the bath is fast, easy and very profitable!

Additional services

Name of service	Price
Installing an acrylic skirting board on the side of the bath	1300 rub.
Installation of our screen under the bathtub on an aluminum frame (regardless of the length of the bathtub)	2200 rub.
Installation of a new siphon (re-departure of the master 24 hours after drying. New siphon, corrugations, cuffs, connection + warranty)	1250 rub.
Installing the 150 cm acrylic liner.	4000 rub.
Installing the 170 cm acrylic liner.	4200 rub.
Call a measurer for advice and correct measurement of the bath	500 rub.
Preservation of the old piping (siphon), with the replacement of only the drain grate with a new one	150 rub.
Dismantling the old cast iron piping	400-600 rub.
Removing the plastic trim	For free
Cleaning non-factory enamel	from 400 to 800 rubles.
color scheme	400 rub.
Bathroom chip removal	150 rub.

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 associated with the renovation of an 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. Sum up the cost of the usual classic bath 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 include damage to the wall and floor covering, which is inevitable for any type of installation work. Required partial replacement cracked fragments and cosmetic repairs. 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 inner lining bathroom.

Advantages of bulk acrylic:

• long wear resistance. At correct 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 radically different in composition;

Cold enameling is considered the cheapest and in a simple way restoration. 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:

• for washing renewed cast iron coating not abrasive cleaners that violate the integrity of the coating are needed, 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, they are installed inside old design a new acrylic liner that perfectly follows 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

Repairing a cast-iron bathtub will maximize its service life, while losing a minimum of time and investing a minimum of money.

ANYTHING YOU NEED:

The strength of the cast iron from which the baths are made, unfortunately, does not apply to their enamel coating. And, although industrial powder enamel lasts a really long time, nothing lasts forever. When this coating wears out, loses its whiteness, becomes covered with indelible rust, deep cracks and chips, it's time to change it.

The surface of a cast-iron bathtub can be restored in two ways: enameling and coating with liquid acrylic. At the end of both the first and second processes, the product will look like a new one, but here, as in any other business, there are some nuances.

In this review, we will consider both methods of repairing a bathtub in more detail.

The first thing the customer should understand is that for the little money that restoration with enamel will cost, he will not receive the same enameled surface that is made at the factory. At home, the pre-prepared surface of the bath is simply painted with a special composition in several layers.

The result is a white glossy surface that certainly looks new and fresh. This upgrade option is very good for apartments that are rented or put up for sale. If the customer wants to use enamel to repair a bathtub in a residential apartment, this choice cannot be called successful for a number of reasons:

1. Bath enamel is extremely unstable to damage that is inevitable during operation. The surface quickly becomes covered with cracks and collapses. A shower head that has accidentally fallen, a toy that has fallen out of the hands of a child, an inaccurately placed bucket or basin - all these are common everyday situations that, unfortunately, will damage the enameled surface;
2. The porosity of the enamel provokes the penetration of contaminants deep into the layer, which makes cleaning difficult and over time makes the surface gray and untidy in appearance. In addition, enamel micropores are an excellent environment for the development of microorganisms;
3. Repairing a cast-iron bathtub with enamel cannot be done quickly. It's all about the long period of its solidification. After finishing work, you will have to leave the bath for at least 5 days before you can connect it to the sewer and use it again;
4. Enamel is an outdated material that has a pungent odor and can harm the master if he does not use personal protective equipment. Modern market materials can offer much more acceptable options.

Bathtub coating with liquid acrylic is a technology that allows you to turn an old cast-iron bathtub into a modern acrylic bathtub with all its advantages in a few hours:

1. Acrylic looks presentable and relevant, making the interior more fresh and new;
2. Compared to fragile and capricious enamel, liquid acrylic has plasticity and is resistant to various damages. The coating will calmly withstand the fall of a heavy object or impact;
3. It is quite easy for an experienced craftsman to work with acrylic, and it dries many times faster than enamel. Saving time is perhaps the most important benefit of renovating an acrylic bathtub;
4. Unlike the enamel coating, which can only be white, any color can be added to acrylic and the customer's design ideas can be realized;
5. Acrylic bath care consists of periodic washing with a sponge or soft cloth with any soap-based product.

Cast iron bath repair is an affordable choice with excellent results. Choosing acrylic as a coating, you can postpone the purchase of a new product for quite a long time.

The modern plumbing market offers the buyer a lot of various options. Graceful acrylic bathtubs, luxurious whirlpool bathtubs, comfortable and technologically advanced shower boxes - even the most demanding customer will find what they need. It is noteworthy that against the background of this abundance, an ordinary cast-iron bath does not give up its positions and is still in demand.

Cast iron bathtubs have proven themselves for many years of reliable operation. In the bathrooms of many apartments, such plumbing has been standing for decades, while maintaining a decent appearance and performing the functions assigned to it. Therefore, today, when choosing a new bathtub, many buyers, focusing on reliability and durability, buy proven cast iron.

Acrylic is an easy-to-use material, and renovating a bathtub using it will not cause much difficulty for a person with basic homework skills. To restore the bath with your own hands, you will need a package of liquid acrylic in a volume sufficient to cover a product of a specific size. Also, the master will need a good cloth-based sandpaper, abrasive powder and a surface degreaser.

Before restoring the bathtub with liquid acrylic, it must be prepared in order to ensure reliable adhesion, durability and strength of the coating. The first stage of preparation is the removal old enamel. With sandpaper and abrasive powder, applying sufficient force, you need to remove the top layer of the coating, with cracks, traces of chips and deep scratches, ingrained rust and dirt. The goal of this work is a uniform, even surface.

At the end of the first stage, the bath is well washed out of powder and dust so that individual particles do not spoil the quality of the new coating. After that experienced craftsmen It is recommended to warm up the bath. To do this, it is filled with hot water as much as possible for a while. After releasing the water, the bath is thoroughly dried and treated with a degreasing agent. Upon completion of all these steps, the surface of the bath is ready for acrylic application.

It should be noted that liquid acrylic is a safe material that is odorless and does not emit harmful fumes. Thanks to this, the master working on updating the bath can do without personal protective equipment.

The components of the mixture to obtain the working composition are sold in the correct proportion. The hardener is poured into a container with acrylic and all this is thoroughly mixed for 10 minutes. Movements should be active, but careful, so that unnecessary air bubbles do not form in the process. It is important not to leave unmixed material at the bottom of the container and along the perimeter of its walls. Manufacturers emphasize that the correct mixing of the components is very important for the quality and durability of the coating. Poorly mixed acrylic will give an uneven finish, yellow quickly and may flake off.

The finished mixture is poured in portions into a small container, from which it will be convenient for the master to pour it onto the surface of the bath. The container should not be too large so that it is easy to hold and not too small so that you do not have to constantly add material. Pouring is carried out in a small, if possible uniform jet on the sides of the bath along the entire perimeter. As soon as one circle is over, the master descends a little lower and so on to the very bottom. In the process of work, it will be noticeable how the material applied a little earlier is distributed and leveled, how the surface becomes perfectly smooth, how beautiful highlights appear on it.

It is important to do the work carefully, but not to delay the process. As a rule, the viability of most brands of liquid acrylic does not exceed 60-70 minutes. This means that after this period the material will stop pouring, thicken and become unusable. Complete drying of the treated surface of the bath depends on several factors: the degree of heating before starting work, the air temperature in the room and the characteristics of the material itself. The maximum curing period is 36 hours. New acrylic samples show record drying times of 24, 16 and even 8 hours.

After the acrylic has completely hardened, the surface of the bath is washed with a gentle sponge or soft cloth with ordinary soap. Further care can also be limited to these simple means.

Benefits of cast iron bathtubs

High strength
A cast iron bath easily withstands impacts and falls of heavy objects, while leaving no dents or other defects on it. The exception is the enameled surface, however modern methods allow it to be restored.

Durability
In many apartments in the post-Soviet space, baths have been seen by more than one generation of residents. Cast iron really serves for decades, and thanks to new technologies, it is possible to restore the enamel coating that has lost its appearance.

Ease of maintenance
Powder enamel covering cast iron bathtubs is resistant to abrasives and aggressive detergents. It is easy to clean and, with proper care, retains its luster and whiteness for many years.

Good sound absorption
Cast iron perfectly dampens the noise generated by a large jet of water. Even if someone decides to take a bath late at night or early in the morning, he will not wake up the rest of the tenants of the apartment, which cannot be said about bathtubs made of other materials.

Low thermal conductivity
Cast iron is able to keep water hot for a long time, which is a definite plus both for saving resources and for comfort during water procedures.

Sustainability
The large weight of the cast-iron bath, reaching 100 kg or more, ensures its stability even if the load is not distributed correctly.

Disadvantages of cast iron baths

Big weight
While the mass of cast iron provides a stability advantage, it also creates significant inconveniences. Transportation, lifting to the floor and installation will require additional costs and labor.

slippery surface
The gloss of an enameled surface looks beautiful, but it can be impractical and even dangerous for homes with small children or the elderly. Wet enamel is very slippery, especially in combination with foaming bath products.

Poor choice
The main disadvantage of cast iron baths is that this material is extremely stubborn, which makes it impossible to create interesting models. different forms and modifications. As a rule, all cast iron bathtubs look standard - a rectangle with rounded corners. In the interior of a modern bathroom, they look outdated.

Gradually, cast-iron bathtubs are losing ground in favor of sanitary ware made from more relevant materials. Modern technologies allow you to keep all the advantages of cast iron, but at the same time create an elegant, graceful and stylish bath.

No matter how carefully you treat plumbing, time will still leave an imprint on once new products. Abrasive properties detergents and mechanical impact on the surface 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. Acrylic enamel is often produced white color. 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:

1. acrylic coating. New way, with the help of which a liquid solution of acrylic is applied (filling method) on 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.

1. 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.

1. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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 environment, but appeared recently special formulations, allow you to do this at home. As a result, you can get a new protective coating without dismantling the bath.

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. 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.
2. 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 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 excellent results.
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: