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August 11, 2009
Re-Enameling Tub?
We're about to redo our main bathroom and I would love to save the old tub - I'm guessing it's from the 1940s, perhaps earlier. The only comparable tub I have found is at Waterworks and costs $10k, which is really out of the stratosphere. So I'd like to have it refinished, but not reglazed - seems like reglazing makes things look better but doesn't last more than a few years. I'd rather spend some money to have it done properly if the alternative is a standard issue tub. Has anyone done this? I found lots of threads on reglazing but haven't found any good recs for someone who can restore the tub (I assume onsite).
Thanks!
Comments
Try looking through Signature Hardware first. Waterworks is an overpriced distributor and manufacturer of many products which can be bought for far less elsewhere.
http://www.signaturehardware.com/index1
Posted by: FenFen at August 11, 2009 3:53 PM
The old porcelain must be sandblasted off to the metal. New porcelain baked on for a proper restoration. Cannot be done at your house. Rough estimate is $1500. Don't think there is anyone doing this in the New York area. I think there is a place in Ohio. Also remember seeing an old post for someone selling one that had the porcelain redone on B'stoner. Search tub for sale. Remembering "porcelain industries"??? Not sure where they are.
Posted by: pig three at August 11, 2009 8:18 PM
you cannot reglaze at home.. you have to fire a new porcelin coat as pig three noted ..there is an outfit in oregon that will do it, but the shipping and handling alone will run over 3 thousand
Posted by: eman1234 at August 11, 2009 8:41 PM
http://www.customceramic.com/services.htm
Posted by: eman1234 at August 12, 2009 9:13 AM
Sigh. Refinishing the tub seems like it's going to be a major production, but the link from FenFen is fantastic - big thanks!
Posted by: brooklyny at August 12, 2009 9:30 AM
How bad is the tub's finish? Does it heave wear all over or just chips or discoloration in a couple places? I kept a cool old (1919? 1930?) tub in my bathroom that the contractor turned his nose up at because of some rust stains in the bottom inside. In my case the finish is in good shape there's just discoloration which I'm hopeful will come out when I have some time to soak it with peroxide. I found some info online re bleaching ceramic tiles with peroxide cream used for bleaching hair. The truth is though that with the shower curtain in place you only see part of the outside of the tub anyway (which is in great shape) so it's really not much of an issue.
Posted by: BHS at August 12, 2009 1:52 PM
"Bar Keepers Friend" works great on getting out rust stains on porcelain.
Posted by: pig three at August 12, 2009 6:57 PM
BHS - the finish is shot, and it's a stand alone tub, so there's no shower curtain to hide it. I have spent hours scrubbing it, and it looks 1000% better than when we bought the house a year ago, but, sadly, it needs a total rehab. There's a really odd turquoise blue stain right where water drips from the faucet - maybe oxidized metal? It's a shame to lose it but I think it's going to be prohibitively expensive to restore. It needs new fittings as well.
pig three - thanks for chiming in.
I'm sure I'll have more questions in a couple of weeks once our contractor comes back for the more in depth look at what we want to do. he's awesome and likes to salvage old stuff where possible. to be continued....!!
Posted by: brooklyny at August 12, 2009 8:10 PM
you can try renovators supply...their tubs are okay, but do not buy any of their fixtures...pure garbage http://www.rensup.com/?adsrc=9000910
Posted by: eman1234 at August 12, 2009 9:53 PM
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