Fiberglass tub repair recommendation

I have a small hairline crack at at the bottom of my tub near the drain but not part of the plumbling.  Anyone have a recommendation of a tub repairer?  It’s only at the underneath (easily accessible via our downstairs neighbor’s ceiling opening) and only needs a solid repair, nothing cosmestic, since it’s unseen.  Would rather not DIY this one. Thanks  :  ) J

jland

in Bath & Kitchen 13 years and 10 months ago

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jland | 13 years and 10 months ago

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Steve, thanks so much for your detailed post.  It’s on the outside underside of the tub, so there’s nothing at all inside to deal with.  It’s conveniently situated to deal with since we have drop down access via a panel and it’s right there, and then the panel closes and that’s that, doesn’t have to color match anything or be refinished, just repaired.  I’ll drop by West Marine and see about their best offerings. Thanks again  :  ) J

stevecym | 13 years and 10 months ago

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Is this fibreglass?  If you want to fix the crack from underneath, go to HD and buy some Fibreglass resin and cloth.  Follow the directions when mixing the resin and hardener.  make sure the surface is clean.  You may want to sand it lightly as some resins have wax in them.  brush some resin on and place a small area of cloth.  put some resin over it.  Then go over that with a larger piece of cloth. If you wish, go to West Marine in the city and talk to them.  they have all sorts of repair kits including stuff by West Systems and the forementioned fibreglass resin.  they may be able to guide you on this repair.   If you need to fix the smooth surface on the inside, that will take a bit more skill, but it can be done.  if this is fibreglass, the inside is called gel coat and there are gel coat repair kits on the market.  The way to repair gel coat is to clean the crack out and mix the new gelcoat to color, then set it in the crack and wipe off the excess, then place saran wrap over it to smooth it out.   Do not use bondo on any of this as bondo is for filling dents. There is a tub repair guy on the south shore of Nassau county – some place by Bellmore or Valley Stream.  I found him years ago using google. Steve

jland | 13 years and 10 months ago

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It’s a very tiny crack.  Just leaks barely, the slightest drips when the tub is fully draining.  It looks much less than examples of epoxy or Bondo repairs that I’ve seen online.

ejalbk | 13 years and 10 months ago

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I doubt it can be successfully repaired. Whatever patch is tried will likely come apart sooner rather than later. Is it leaking?