It is not for nothing that cast iron bathtubs are very popular with buyers. Even though the market is filled with acrylic and steel taxes, cast iron models are not only going out of style but are gaining ground. The reason for this demand is quite simple - a cast iron bathtub is durable, and at the same time it perfectly retains heat. However, over time, the coating of the cast-iron bath wears out, chips, stains and cracks appear on it. In such a situation, there can be only two options for solving the problem - restoring the 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 bath, dismantling of the old model and its disposal should be taken into account;
- the costs 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 will not have to pay extra for installation and dismantling.
Restoration of cast iron baths
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 make it possible to return to the bathtub a radiant appearance and presentability in the shortest possible time without special costs.
Our advantages
Quality materials from Germany directly from the manufacturer
The material is non-toxic, odorless! Freezing - 20 hours
We work without prepayment, under a contract. Responsible approach
Experienced craftsmen. We have been restoring bathtubs for over 10 years
Up to 5 years warranty! Material service life 15 years
Prompt order fulfillment. Technical support
Price for the restoration of a cast iron bath
Bath 120 cm.
- German quality.
- Drying 20 hours.
- Service life 15 years!
RUB 3 800
RUB 3,500
Bath 150 cm.
- German quality.
- Drying 20 hours.
- Service life 15 years!
RUB 4,000
RUB 3,700
Bath 170 cm.
- German quality.
- Drying 20 hours.
- Service life 15 years!
RUB 4,200
RUB 3,900
Restoration of enamel on a cast iron bath
The restoration of cast iron bathtubs in Moscow is one of the services offered by our company. Even if your bathtub has completely lost its original appearance, do not rush to look for a replacement. The unique technology of enamel restoration 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;
- for all types of services provided, you will be provided with a guarantee;
- the quality of the work will not cause any complaints;
- the cost of restoration will not hit your pocket.
Call us and make sure that the restoration of enamel on the bath is fast, simple and very profitable!
Additional services
| Name of service | Price |
| Installing acrylic skirting board on the side of the bath | 1300 RUB |
| Installation of our screen under the bath on an aluminum frame (regardless of the length of the bath) | 2200 RUB |
| Installation of a new siphon (repeated departure of the master 24 hours after drying. New siphon, corrugations, cuffs, connection + warranty) | 1250 RUB |
| Installation of acrylic insert 150 cm. | 4000 RUB |
| Installation of acrylic insert 170 cm. | 4200 RUB |
| Calling the measurer for consultation and correct measurement of the bath | RUB 500 |
| Keeping the old piping (siphon), replacing only the drain grate with a new one | RUB 150 |
| Dismantling the old cast iron strapping | 400-600 rub. |
| Removing the plastic strapping | Is free |
| Cleaning non-factory enamel | from 400 to 800 rubles |
| Color tint | RUB 400 |
| Removing chips on the bathroom | RUB 150 |
The top layer of enamel on steel and cast iron baths wears out over time. Unpleasant spots, cracks, chips, yellowness appear on the surface. Of course, such a bathtub can be thrown away and replaced with a new one, but restoration will prolong the life of your plumbing and save your family budget.
Restoration. Methods
Restoration can be carried out using various methods, including:
- application of two-component enamel. The two components are the hardener and the enamel itself. The mixture is applied to the surface like a regular paint;
- filling the bath with acrylic (glass). After sanding and thorough degreasing, the bath is filled with acrylic. After 2 days, the updated plumbing is completely ready for use;
- bath-in-bath installation. This method consists of installing an acrylic liner that is completely identical to the old bathtub. The insert is attached with glue or foam and allows you to use the restored bathroom for a long time.
Bath preparation for enameling or acrylic application
Although these methods have their own characteristics, the preparation procedure is completely identical. It is necessary to remove the layer of old enamel and achieve maximum adhesion of the future coating to cast iron / steel.
Find out what are, and also check out the types and tips for choosing, from our new article.
The following materials and accessories must be prepared:
- cleaning powder;
- solvent;
- cloth-based abrasive paper (for example, P24);
- fast-hardening polyester putty for automobiles;
- polyethylene, newspapers and masking tape;
- vacuum cleaner (or a wide soft brush);
- grinder + grinding wheels;
- the cloth is clean and does not leave lint;
- hair dryer for construction;
- screwdriver.
Step 1. We clean the entire surface of the bath with a brush and an abrasive agent (powder).
Step 2. We take sandpaper and clean the bath until there are risks from the abrasive. There is no need to rinse off the cleaning agent when sanding. Instead of sandpaper, you can use an angle grinder with a special attachment. This will greatly simplify the work and speed up the preparation process.
Step 3. After sanding, wash off all the crumbs and soap film well. Etch the bath using oxalic acid. We neutralize the acid with soda.
Step 4. Fill the bath with hot water up to the sides. We wait for about 10 minutes, open the drain so that the water glass, and then wipe the bath with a cloth dry. You can warm up the vessel with a building hair dryer. So the moisture will sooner evaporate and the bath can be further prepared for restoration.
Step 5. We examine the bathtub for major defects, potholes. We apply car putty, and after it dries, we grind it with fine sandpaper. We remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner / soft brush, after which we thoroughly degrease the entire surface of the plumbing with a solvent and wipe it with lint-free napkins.
Step 6. Unscrew the shower hose. We wrap the spout and taps in polyethylene so that drops of water do not get into the bath during operation.
Step 7. Armed with a screwdriver, dismantle the grate and siphon under the bathroom. We substitute the dishes under the drain hole, into which drops of acrylic or enamel will flow.
Strapping diagram. 1 - overflow pipe; 2 - drain pipe; 3 - metal wedge of the support; 4 - floor siphon; 5- sewer bell; 6 - metal grounding strip
Step 8. We seal all surfaces that adjoin the vessel to be restored with masking tape. Cover the floor, a nearby washing machine, and cover the sink with plastic or old newspapers.
We begin the restoration process.
Enamel application
You can enamel not only a bath, but also a shower tray made of steel and cast iron, a washbasin, a kitchen sink. The entire surface of the sanitary ware is restored, as well as individual areas, if necessary.
This method of restoration is short-lived, but quite economical. will serve you for a couple of years, after which you will again have to think about staining or replacing it.
Note! The enamel has a pungent chemical odor, so all work can be performed only in personal protective equipment for the respiratory system.
Step 1. Open the enamel and hardener. Pour them into a convenient container, mix with a mixer until smooth (see the exact proportions on the package).
Step 2. With a brush, begin to apply the enamel, making first horizontal and then vertical strokes. We carefully paint over the entire bath.
Advice! To prevent bristles from coming out of the brush, soak it in water for one day!
Step 3. Without waiting for the first layer to dry, apply the second. Gently stretch the smudges with a brush.
Step 4. Paint over the bottom of the vessel again.
The bath will be ready for use in about 5 days. Until this moment, it is advisable not to turn on water and prevent dirt from getting on the painted surfaces.
Bath enamel prices
Bath enamel
Glass restoration or bulk bath
Such a two-component mixture is quite convenient to apply, does not have a pungent odor and has increased strength characteristics. The starch spreads by itself, and a monolithic even film forms on the surface of the bath. At the same time, the starkril does not dry too quickly, which means that work can be done without haste and fuss.
Step 1. Knead the glass in a convenient container with a mixer.
Step 2. Add the glass from the common dish to a small glass and pour it onto the top edge of the tub. As soon as the trickle reaches the middle of the wall, we begin to move the glass around the perimeter, periodically pouring the mixture into the glass.
Step 3. We repeat the process starting from the middle of the walls. It is not worth saving the mixture, the excess will merge into the container under the hole, and the coating will turn out to be even and smooth.
If bubbles form on the surface, they can be smoothed out with a plastic spatula or brush.
The polymerization process takes up to 4 days. The exact instructions for proportions and drying times are indicated on the glass packaging.
When the surface has completely hardened, you can remove films, newspapers, scotch tape, install a siphon (old or new, at the discretion of the owner) and use a bathroom that has been restored with your own hands.
Video - Bath restoration with liquid acrylic by the "filling" method
Prices for bulk acrylic
Bathtub to bathtub or acrylic liner
If you do not want to carry out hygiene procedures for several days, using a basin or visiting a bathhouse, then the method of inserting the acrylic liner will suit you perfectly. The process of self-restoration in this way takes no more than three hours, and you can use the bathroom the very next day.
In addition, the liner made of durable sanitary acrylic significantly reduces the thermal conductivity of the bath, as a result, the water cools very slowly.
For the best result, it is important not only to select a suitable liner, but also to properly distribute the adhesive (Henkel foam and sealant).
Step 1. Armed with a screwdriver and a grinder, dismantle the strapping elements.
Step 2. Preparing the bath for installing the liner. We clean the entire surface with sandpaper, a grinder, remove the debris with a vacuum cleaner and degrease the surface. Wipe all drops of water dry. This measure is necessary to improve the adhesion of the adhesive foam to the sanitary ware.
Step 3. The inserts are transported with a technological edge, which we carefully cut with a grinder before installation.
Step 4. After the edge has been cut off, insert the insert into the bath and make markings for the technological holes. To do this, draw circles with a marker, sticking your hand under the bath and outlining the drain and overflow holes.
Step 5. By marking, we make drilling of technological holes.
Step 6. Apply two-component foam and sealant. We insert a bottle of sealant into the gun and distribute it around the drain and overflow holes. Next, we take the foam, inject a special composition into the balloon with a syringe, which will not allow it to swell excessively. From bottom to top, apply foam in stripes to the bottom, walls, sides of the restored vessel.
Step 7. Insert the acrylic liner into the bath, gently press it with your hands, leveling it. Remove excess sealant and foam.
Step 8. We install the siphon (piping).
Step 9. Fill the bathtub with water so that the foam, while solidifying, does not displace the light liner. The next day, you can drain the water and use the updated bathroom.
In your free time, you can install a decorative screen under the restored bathtub, as well as protective sides on the edges in contact with the walls.
Be sure to remove the protective film from the liner before starting your hygiene procedures.
Video - Installing an acrylic liner. DIY bathroom restoration
How to repair chips or minor repairs to a damaged bathtub
Sometimes small chips appear on the surface, cracks from falling heavy objects, scratches. And in this case, there is no need to make a complete restoration, it is enough to carry out minor repairs in the proper sequence.
Previously, such defects were eliminated by mixing glue with tooth powder or by applying epoxy to the chip and sprinkling it with porcelain dust. But such methods are extremely unreliable, and it is better to refuse them.
Step one. Preparing the chip for repair. To begin with, we apply a rust converter to the chip, wait, wash off the composition with water. Then we clean the chip with powder or dishwashing liquid. We rinse with water and wipe dry.
Step two. Using acetone or another solvent, degrease the defective area. Dry and warm the surface with a hairdryer.
Step three. Using automotive putty, coat the chip. We wait until it dries and sand it with sandpaper.
Step four. We cover the putty place with two-component acrylic or automotive enamel.
Also, for restoration, you can use a ready-made repair kit for the bathtub, which includes acrylic paint, hardener, several sheets of sandpaper, epoxy putty, polish and detailed instructions. The approximate cost of such a kit is from 900 to 1300 rubles.
Video - Repair of chips and even through holes in a metal bath
One of the most important advantages of cast iron baths is their durability. Such plumbing is capable of serving faithfully for several decades, while maintaining its technical characteristics. However, over time, the bathtub can lose its original whiteness.
Agree, not everyone is ready to get rid of high-quality cast iron for the sake of plastic or steel counterparts. An alternative solution is to restore the bath with liquid acrylic at home. The work is simple, but it requires compliance with some nuances.
We will show you how to choose high-quality acrylic for your bathtub, identify manufacturers you can trust, and also describe in detail the sequence of updating old plumbing fixtures. This information will help home craftsmen to restore the former gloss of the coating and extend the service life of the hot tub.
Let's start with the terms. The domestic market for acrylic products intended for the restoration of a bowl of a used bath is full of brands. "Plastol", "Yarli", "Standard", "Stakril", Finnacril and even "Ecoenamel"- there are many names.
All enamels are two-component, approximately similar in price - 1400-1500 rubles. for a 3.4 kg can, which is enough to cover a 1.5-meter container with acrylic.
All paints and varnishes of the liquid acrylic group, incl. each of the trade brands listed above, the bath is being restored. The walls of the sanitary bowl are poured with two-component acrylic, which polymerizes and hardens, turning into a smooth and durable coating in a day.
The bulk bath is not a marketable product, but a painting technology. It consists in pouring a new paintwork coating over the existing worn out paint layer. Manufacturers develop their acrylic-enamel series of restoration materials for bathtubs, the formulas of which are carefully hidden from competing companies.
In the circle of bathroom tank restorers and their clients, liquid acrylic of any brand is usually called glass. Although Stakril is a brand of the St. Petersburg-based Ekolor enterprise, popular rumor assigns the name of its brand to all liquid acrylic compounds.
The usual set with liquid acrylic comes with a bottle of hardener. Some manufacturers offer
set of three products - liquid acrylic, hardener and degreaser
The reason is simple: Stacril was the first widely advertised polymer material for bathroom restoration, which is why it has become a household name for liquid acrylics in general. The technically correct name for acrylic-based bath paints and varnishes is "bulk acrylic".
Therefore, when choosing an acrylic bathroom paint, it is necessary to name a certain brand of product, and not “you have a glass bottle”.
Now about the quality. Manufacturing companies of bulk acrylics Ecolor LLC (Stakril brand), Plastol LLC, Ekovanna LLC and NPK YarLi CJSC (Yarli brand) are the largest enterprises in Russia.
It is their products that are recognized as the highest quality on the domestic market. For self-repair of the enamel coating of the bathroom, you should choose one of the named brands.
In addition to having our own technical laboratories, many years of experience in the production and distribution of products throughout Russia, the products of all four listed manufacturers of bulk acrylic have another advantage - they are trying to imitate it.
On the one hand, this is a plus, because it is pointless to produce a fake product under a bad brand and product. However, the disadvantage is also obvious - the likelihood of purchasing a low-quality product.
The Stakrila manufacturing company has not changed the design of its packaging for many years. Therefore, any other colors on
containers with acrylic mean only one thing - fake
Fake Bulk Acrylic
There are more and more homeowners interested in restoring enamel in the bathtub from year to year. Following the growing demand, manufacturers of bulk acrylics are expanding their production and improving the series of acrylic enamels for sanitary ware. But a variety of types of "entrepreneurs" are trying to make money on this paintwork.
First type: small companies intending to occupy a niche in the local market. Before reaching consumers with liquid acrylic of their own production, they buy up the products of large companies in bulk, pour them into their container containers and trade them under their own brand.
Having positioned buyers for a “new product” in a few months of sales, such firms begin to bottle not someone else's products, but their own. Without sufficient funds and equipment, these companies are developing acrylic technologies with "optimal performance", using raw materials from questionable suppliers.
Second type: similar companies also purchase large quantities of liquid acrylic with a hardener from well-known manufacturers, but only in the original container with a label.
Next, each container is opened, part of the product is poured from there and the solvent is topped up. The diluted acrylic is taken to the market and sold under the guise of an original product.
If liquid acrylic is diluted with a solvent, its performance will drop dramatically. Such a coating does not adhere well to the bath, it is too liquid and brittle. After a short time, the painted bath turns yellow, the enamel peels off. Note that you cannot dilute liquid acrylic with anything other than the hardener included in the kit.
This fake can be easily recognized by the wrong color of the label and the low-quality plastic from which its container is made. Such "products" regularly appear in various regions of Russia.
Third type: a small business purchases several containers of well-known brands of liquid acrylic and tries to copy them. Having developed a very approximate formula and technological process, this company buys the cheapest raw materials. The release of products with bright labels and names begins.
The manufacturer does not make attempts to popularize a certain product brand, because the product is of poor quality and soon there will be no buyers for it. However, the company often changes the shape of the containers and the name of the product, thereby restarting its distribution over and over again. Such liquid acrylic cannot be called high-quality, only cheap.
Nikolay Fedorenko
Improving the formula, improving the technological process for the production of liquid acrylic, its largest domestic manufacturers have been engaged in more than five to eight years each. Only their products are able to serve as long as possible, have no odors and are resistant to yellowing. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the enamel of large enterprises for bath repair.
Nikolay Fedorenko Expert in the field of arrangement of sewerage systems and water supply systems
In the regional markets of Russia, fakes for acrylic enamels most often appear. "Stakril", Ekovanna and "Plastol"... To interfere with imitators, manufacturers of these brands periodically change the color design and shape of cans with liquid acrylic, with a hardener.
You can find out the actual type of the brand you are interested in by visiting the manufacturer's website and examining the product description page.
However, the product is sold in different regions in different ways - some batches are sold out for months. Within the factory warranty period and subject to proper storage conditions, the tared liquid acrylic is completely suitable for use.
Suppose you are offered a product of the brand, say, Plastol - the expiration date is ok, but the bucket is decorated in an outdated manufacturer's design. The seller explains: the consignment of acrylic arrived before Plastol changed the design of the cans, and the rest of the product is original.
Examine the acrylic bucket and hardener bottle:
- Lid markings. Plastol prints the batch number on the lid of the cans using laser lithography. Manufacturers "Ekovanna" and "Stakril" mark the lids with adhesive labels, where the batch number is printed. There should be no other labels on the lids.
- Cover color... Be sure to make sure that the color of the caps on the can and bottle matches the product image on the manufacturer's website.
- Brand logo. Decals on the sides of the can and bottle must contain the valid logo of the manufacturer;
- Correctness of the sticker. The labels on the sides of acrylic cans, on solvent bottles are applied by the original manufacturer by means of in-line adhesive. Skewed, wrinkled areas mean that the label was glued by hand and this is a fake;
- The integrity of the filling. The plastic protector on the caps of the hardener bottle and liquid acrylic cans must be intact (not tampered with).
The caps of bottles containing liquid hardener are usually marked with a marker when the batch is released - this is normal. There is not enough room on the bottle cap to properly print or place a label.
For more information on the types of bulk acrylics, as well as tips for choosing a restoration enamel, see:
Do-it-yourself bathroom restoration
Independent restoration of the enamel coating of the bath bowl will save on average 1200-1700 rubles (this is how much the masters take). However, you need to assess your skills before starting work: minimal experience in assembling plumbing and painting work is essential.
The process of preparing the bath and casting a new coating requires accuracy, otherwise long-term quality cannot be achieved.
Materials and tools used
So you've got enough liquid acrylic and hardener. Please note: you need a volume of acrylic enamel, which will be enough to decorate your bathroom. Soviet-made models have a length of 1400-1700 mm, European products are made with a maximum length of 1800 mm.
All required tools with protective equipment must be prepared before starting work on the "filling bath".
Carefully assess your readiness to work. At the stage of stripping, it is still permissible to stop work, but after
mixing acrylic with hardener must not be stopped
Manufacturers indicate on containers with liquid acrylic the length of the bath for which the tared volume of the material is designed. Measure the length of the bowl along the center, from the edge of one side to the edge of the other. If your object of work is longer than the size indicated on the can with acrylic, you need to buy more material. It is important.
For enameling using the "pouring bath" technology, the following tools and materials are needed:
- Stirrer... When manually mixing acrylic with a hardener and color scheme, you will need a wooden or plastic spatula - blade width 40-60 mm, handle length 500-600 mm. Mixing with a drill with a mixer should not be carried out, only manually.
- Sandpaper- 5 pieces. (230 * 280mm). Requires emery grade P60 (according to ISO-6344) or 25-H (according to GOST 3647-80) on a fabric basis, water resistant.
- Thinner No. 646 or 647... It is required to degrease the surface of the bathroom bowl after sanding and rinsing it.
- Putty knife- width 100 mm. A metal spatula will work, but only a new one, without dirt and rusty streaks.
- Duct tape- scotch tape, 50 mm wide. You will need two types of tape - masking tape (on paper) and fixing tape (on film).
- Wallpaper knife. It is necessary for cutting scotch tape and trimming dried acrylic drips from the bathroom drain hole before reinstalling the drain-overflow.
- Screwdriver- straight and cross to remove the drain-overflow siphon. A gas wrench may also be required;
- Stool... Mixing acrylic with a hardener and collecting the prepared enamel in a container for application is much more convenient if you put a bucket of liquid acrylic on a stool.
In principle, to prepare the walls and the bottom of the bath for casting with acrylics, manual processing with sandpaper is quite enough. But only if it had not been painted with anything before, i.e. factory enamel on the surface. Otherwise, you will need to clean it with a drill or grinder.
To remove the secondary enamel for the drill, you need a Velcro attachment and emery wheels of the P40 (or 40-H) brand, for the grinder - grinding wheels of the same brand.
Required protective equipment:
- Work clothes- trousers, long-sleeved shirt or jacket. It is not dangerous to get acrylic drops on the skin, but after drying it is quite difficult to remove them.
- Headdress- at least a kerchief. Hair should not come into contact with the enamel coating during the casting process.
- Respirator- at least a "petal". Cleaning the bathtub will cause strong dust emission, you should not breathe such air.
- Disposable latex gloves... Hands must be protected from contact with liquid acrylic.
You will need newspaper sheets or PVC sheeting to cover and hang surfaces around the plumbing to be refurbished. We remind you: drops of cured acrylic spilled during the restoration process are very difficult to remove.
Preparation of the bathroom
Collect and remove items commonly found in this room: toothbrushes, towels, laundry basket, and other cosmetic and hygiene items. The shower curtain should be removed, if possible - the curtain bar should also be removed.
It should be noted that cracked bowls cannot be restored. Therefore, it will be necessary to carry out its installation.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Acrylic enameling of a bowl previously painted with another enamel and requiring some areas to be putty:
Video instructions for restoring the finish of the bathtub with liquid acrylic from the manufacturer of the restoration compounds "Plastol":
The following video describes the process of installing the piping that was removed before applying the acrylic enamel:
Using the instructions in the article, you will restore the enamel coating of the bath yourself. A renewed container will last as long as it has been carefully repaired.
Note that self-leveling acrylic finishes require careful cleaning. You cannot use abrasive products, only liquid ones, and substances containing a solvent will not work.
Share with your readers your experience in restoring an old cast iron bathtub. Please leave comments on the article, ask your questions, participate in discussions and attach photos of the updated plumbing. The feedback form is located below.
Replacing the bathtub can be safely called the most problematic stage of the "secondary repair". As a rule, it is associated not only with dismantling and plumbing work, but also with a partial violation of the tiles laid both on the walls and on the floor. Fortunately, modern building technologies make it possible to significantly simplify this process, namely, to make a do-it-yourself bathroom restoration. One of the most popular methods is using liquid acrylic. We will talk about it in this article.
Does the bath need to be refurbished?
Before proceeding directly to the consideration of the corresponding technology, let's figure out whether it makes sense to restore the bathtub, and is it not easier to replace it with a new one.
Bathtub restoration in general and bulk acrylic, in particular, has a number of undeniable advantages. First, there is no need to disrupt existing renovations, be it tiles or wallpaper. This not only greatly simplifies the process, but also makes it possible to significantly save on the restoration of the bathroom finish. Secondly, restoration of even the most "killed" bathtub will cost significantly less than replacing it, even if it is the cheapest analogue. And finally, the restoration will take much less time than replacement, since the procedure does not require water shut-off and other "plumbing complications".
Liquid acrylic allows you to save even the most "killed" bath
Advantages and Disadvantages of Liquid Acrylic
One of the most common bath restoration methods is liquid acrylic restoration.
The material is a two-component liquid that, when mixed, solidifies, forming a hard surface that perfectly hides any defects in the old bathtub.
Liquid acrylic is supplied in two separate containers with base material and hardener
Compared to other restorative materials, liquid acrylic has several advantages:
- It allows you to hide both small and large defects.
- Resistant to damage and dirt. With proper care, an acrylic bathtub can retain its attractive appearance for 10-15 years.
- Increases heat and sound insulation of the bath. Water in a bath covered with liquid acrylic cools down much longer than in a steel or cast iron analogue.
- The restoration method with liquid acrylic gives excellent results at a relatively low cost.
Although it is worth clarifying that with all the listed advantages, liquid acrylic also has a number of disadvantages. It dries for a long time (from 24 to 48 hours), has a specific odor during application and is very susceptible to contamination at the drying stage, so during work it is necessary to protect the bath as carefully as possible from dust and dirt entering it.
However, all these shortcomings are more than offset by the advantages of this material, so we can safely say: the restoration of baths with liquid acrylic in terms of "price-quality" ranks first among similar methods.
Preparing for the process
Let's consider the whole process of bath restoration with liquid acrylic. Let's take a look at the "source material" first. It is this seemingly irretrievably damaged bath that we will try to restore.
Bulk acrylic will cope even with such a bathroom
The technology of restoration with liquid acrylic is not very complicated, however, in order for everything to be successful, the bath must be properly prepared.
First of all, the surface is treated with some kind of abrasive agent. For this purpose, a grinder with a grinding attachment is best suited.
Surface cleaning is best done with a grinder
This, firstly, will allow to remove the remaining dirt from the surface of the bath, and secondly, it will make its surface rougher, which will greatly facilitate the "setting" of acrylic.
After the bath is processed, residues of dust and dirt are removed from its surface, it is thoroughly washed and degreased with any available means (for this purpose, for example, ordinary acetone is quite suitable).
This completes the preparation process for applying acrylic.
Replacing the old drain and overflow will give the restored bathtub a completely fresh look.
Ideally, before applying liquid acrylic to the bath, it is worth removing the old drain and overflow, and after restoration, replace them with new ones. But since this does not affect the restoration process itself, in order to save money, this stage can be skipped.
Step-by-step instruction
- The first step is to mix acrylic with a hardener and let it settle for 15-20 minutes to start the necessary chemical reactions.
To avoid acrylic with hardener must be mixed very thoroughly
Please note that this must be done immediately before starting work, because otherwise the acrylic will thicken and become unsuitable for pouring.
- A little diluted acrylic is poured directly onto the bottom of the bath and, using a special plastic spatula, they begin to "put" it on the sides, allowing the remaining material to flow freely into the bath.
It is best to use a plastic spatula for applying acrylic.
- When the sides are completely covered with a layer of acrylic, the material continues to be applied to the middle of the bath walls.
Acrylic is applied from top to bottom until all sides of the bath are covered with it
If small smudges are formed during the dripping process, they can be smoothed out with the same plastic spatula.
- When the entire bath, including the bottom, is covered with a layer of acrylic, it remains to slightly smooth out the smudges and the filling work can be considered complete.
After a couple of hours, the old bath is practically unrecognizable!
Now you need to wait until the acrylic is completely dry - as a rule, it takes from 24 to 48 hours, depending on the grade of the material, install a new drain and overflow (if, of course, you removed the old ones), and this can be considered complete restoration work.
Video: bath restoration using the filling method
Possible mistakes
Although the filling procedure is quite simple, errors still occur during its execution, which can negatively affect the final result.
- Poor bath preparation. If the surface of the bath was poorly cleaned, there are areas of rust, dirt or grease on it, then in the future this can lead to peeling of acrylic in these places. The same applies to a poorly dried bath.
- Incorrect mixing of components. With poor-quality mixing of the components of liquid acrylic, as well as when using the mixture after the recommended period, streaks and bulges may form on the surface of the bath, which will be very problematic to remove.
- The work is being carried out in an unsuitable temperature regime. It is recommended to fill at a temperature of 16 to 25 ° C. A significant deviation from these indicators can adversely affect the final result.
Well, as, in fact, when carrying out any work, during the restoration of the bath, you should not rush, but do everything, as they say, "with feeling, with sense, with arrangement." And then the process of restoring the bath with liquid acrylic will take place without problems.
Correct care
As we said, acrylic can retain its original attractive appearance for more than ten years. However, to do this, you need to properly care for it. Do not wash the acrylic surface with abrasive detergents. This also applies to the rags and washcloths you use to clean the bathtub. For washing acrylic, the usual liquid detergent that you use for dishes is perfect, although special "cleaners" can also purchase special preparations for the care of liquid acrylic.
There are special care products for acrylic, but if they are absent, you can do with ordinary dishwashing detergents.
And yet, if you are going to bathe large pets in an acrylic bathtub, then you should purchase a special rubber mat that will protect the acrylic surface from their claws.
As you can see, restoring a bath with liquid acrylic is a fairly simple procedure and does not require serious costs. We are sure that thanks to our advice, you will easily cope with it. Successful renovation!
Was born in 1977 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Graduated from Donetsk Polytechnic Institute (now DonSTU) with a degree in Automated control systems. He worked at the Donetsk Metallurgical Plant. In 1997 he moved to Moscow, where he worked in several construction crews for 8 years.
- the most demanded service for the economical and practical renovation of old enamel. If the bathtub in your apartment has darkened, rust, stains, smudges have appeared on it, do not rush to change it. The situation can be corrected in a simpler and more economical way. The modern technology of "Bulk Bath" restoration with the help of "Liquid Acrylic" enamel allows you to give your bath a new life. This technology has already established itself as the most advanced and cost effective.
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Bath restoration with acrylic
It would seem a simple matter to cover with a layer of new enamel, but one cannot do without a specialist. Experts warn that you should not try to restore the bath yourself, it is not as easy to do as it might seem at first glance. In order for the surface of the bath to properly fix liquid acrylic, it must be prepared. At the first stage of work, the master cleans the bath with a drill and sandpaper.
Then the surface of the bath is washed, dried and degreased, and the defects are putty. The bath is cleaned of old enamel and rust, and only after that you can start renovating.
Having prepared the acrylic working composition, the specialist applies it to the surface of the bath. Acrylic is applied by pouring, for this you do not need to use a roller or, moreover, a brush. Starting from the upper sides, the master evenly pours liquid acrylic. Following all the curves of the bath and filling in all cracks, the acrylic coating forms an even glossy layer. The thickness of the acrylic layer reaches from 2 to 6 mm, which ensures the strength, durability and thermal stability of the coating without leaving streaks, smudges and other defects.
Remember that an untrained, specially trained person will not be able to properly apply liquid acrylic. Use the services of professionals to get the desired result. The work of the master to restore the bathtub will take only 2-3 hours and after 36 hours you can use your new bathtub.
The adhesion of acrylic (adhesion) to the bathtub is so great that it can increase its service life up to 15 or even 20 years. Bulk acrylic does not crack, does not exfoliate, such a coating has an extremely smooth surface, for this reason dirt and rust do not clog into it. The refurbished bathtub can be easily washed with regular gel products.
After the acrylic pouring procedure, your bath will acquire a beautiful shining gloss. The surface will be smooth, resistant to bacteria, mechanical and chemical influences. Bulk acrylic is an environmentally friendly material with thermal and sound insulation properties.
Bath restoration with enamel
Restoration of the bath surface with enamel is a method that has been in demand for many years due to the lack of good alternatives and may still be advisable in some cases.
When the factory enamel loses its appearance, acquires a gray tint from ingrained dirt, becomes covered with reddish stains from rust and a mesh of cracks of different depths, you can try to reanimate it with a new layer of enamel. Of course, you shouldn't expect this layer to be as durable as one that has already served for several decades. Bathtub restoration with enamel is a cosmetic coating that will return beauty, shine and whiteness to the bathtub, but, unfortunately, for a short time.
Bathtub enamel is essentially an epoxy paint that is mixed with a hardener just before starting work. The mixture prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions is applied to the surface previously prepared for coating. To ensure good adhesion, the old enamel is removed with sandpaper and powder. All cracks, chips and potholes are smoothed out to a metallic sheen, all material detachments are removed. Especially deep surface defects are filled with a primer.
Before applying the enamel, the bath is heated by filling it with hot water and degreased with White Spirit solvent. The surface is coated with a brush or roller, in thin layers. Depending on the type of enamel used and on the visual effect that appears during the work, the master can apply from 2 to 4 layers.
The enamelled bathtub will be ready for use after 5 days at the earliest. This is exactly how much the material will need for good adhesion to the surface and complete drying. In order for the resulting effect of whiteness and glossy shine to remain for the longest possible period, you need to use the bathroom very carefully. To do this, avoid impacts, exposure to metal objects, the fall of heavy objects on the surface, cleaning with aggressive agents and hard brushes.
Even with the most gentle use, you should not count on a very long use of the bath, restored with enamel. It will retain its presentable appearance for no more than 1 year. Therefore, it makes sense to immediately pay attention to restoration methods that will provide a more durable and high-quality coating.
Bath restoration price
There is one more argument in favor of restoring the bathtub with bulk acrylic - the price is very favorable for the consumer. Judge for yourself, the cost of restoring a bath is almost 3 times cheaper than buying a new one, and the hassle of repairing is less. There is no need to dismantle the old bathtub, take it out, risking damage to the tiles or wall tiles.
Bath restoration with liquid acrylic is a smart choice for those who are used to saving time and money!