Repainting/Refurbishing a claw foot tub

Attached are photos of the tub we purchased. Half of it was recently painted black for a movie (it was rented out before we purchased it). I used a spackle knife to scrape away the peeling paint and can certainly sand it to smooth things out. But I’d appreciate any advice on how to further prepare it for painting, what type of paint to use, best method of application — pretty much anything you feel we should know. We are not going to use a glossy paint, as I understand it shows imperfections readily and there are lots of them. Thanks.

Guest User | 10 years and 4 months ago

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bobjohn | 10 years and 3 months ago

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I used Rastoleum two part epoxy refinishing kit with very good prep and very good ventilation. The finish still holds after 6 year of use. so no complains.

Guest User | 10 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
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So appreciate your recommendations, jfss! I’m sorry you didn’t have the forum when you were doing your tubs or ceiling, but hopefully you’ve taken advantage of it since its launch. Thanks again!

snowman2 | 10 years and 3 months ago

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Yes you are down to the metal and in enough places that I would do the rustoleum primer over the whole thing. Don’t forget the raw exterior edge where the top edge curls over. It’s not as painful as you might think to get it from brown primer to white finish paint. Painting a tub that is not installed is easy. As an aside, in my first round of painting the 2 tubs with latex paint that rusted I also installed a new tin ceiling in one of the bathrooms (80 sq ft bathroom with 10′ ceilings) which I also painted with latex paint. The ceiling also rusted and required brown rustoleum primer and 2 coats of white oil based primer before I finished with semi gloss finish paint. There was no internet in 1983 and I learned the fix at a Brownstone Fair sponsored by Brooklyn Union Gas Co. Latex is fine on old tin ceilings. It’s probably OK on the tubs at this point but I won’t chance it.

Guest User | 10 years and 3 months ago

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So helpful, jfss. Thanks. I think I have gotten down to the metal in areas. Is the bare material/metal, dark in color, as you can see in the 3rd picture?

snowman2 | 10 years and 3 months ago

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I have 2 clawfoot tubs and learned through experience that oil based paint is required. Scrape whatever is loose and wire brush a bit. I found that the tub exterior is nubby and forgiving of imperfection so don’t go crazy. Use rustoleum primer (last I looked it’s brown) in the places where you get down to metal (if you get down to metal). Follow it by oil based primer – more than one coat on the spots where (if) you used rustoleum primer. Oil base finish paint the color/sheen of your choice. I gold leaf painted the feet but I’ve seen them done in white high gloss.

Guest User | 10 years and 3 months ago

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The pictures show the exterior of the tub, bobjbklyn. The porcelain interior is in great shape. I knew better than to mess with a tub that had a flawed interior. Any suggestions for repainting the exterior are welcome.

shahnandersen

in Bath & Kitchen 10 years and 4 months ago

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It looks like you are talking about the inside of the tub. An actual reglazing requires a removal of the tub and baking on a new porcine finish. There are companies that do a reasonable (although temporary) job without removing the tub using a sprayed on epoxy paint. We used Melga Sales several years ago and found them very professional. If you want to do it yourself you need to use a two part epoxy tub paint such as Rustoleum Tub/Tile Refreshing Kit. But nothing you do without removing the tub will last more than a few years.

cate | 10 years and 4 months ago

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If it’s feasible, I think oil based primer followed by an oil based paint is best because it resists rusting. (I presume you’re talking about the outside. Refinishing the inside is a different story. I’d avoid unless absolutely necessary, because it’s not very durable, and I’d use a professional outfit that does it.)