Enamel or acrylic bath coating - which is better?

Over time, any bathtub loses its appearance, microcracks, chips appear and the question arises of its restoration, since changing the bathtub is expensive. Currently, there are three main ways to restore the bath: installation of an acrylic liner, coating the bath with enamel or acrylic - which is better, let's understand. Of course, everyone decides for himself which method is more suitable for him, but we will consider all three methods of restoration, get acquainted with their weaknesses and strengths, pluses and minuses.

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Preparation for restoration

If you are going to make a restoration of the bath, then we advise you to familiarize yourself with the recommendations of specialists in this matter:

1. First of all, keep in mind that the room should be well ventilated, and the fewer people in the house, the better. Therefore, the best time to carry out such work is the summer, when you can send the whole family to relax for a week.
2. Necessarily need a respirator. For this purpose, you can use a gas mask.
3. Stock up on a few pairs of gloves, as well as an oilcloth apron.
4. Remove everything that is possible from the bathroom - pack the washing machine in tape and seal with tape, remove the shower, taps if possible, too, or they need to be closed somehow.
5. It is advisable to shut off water for the duration of the work.

We now consider the methods of restoration of bathtubs and find out which is better.

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Acrylic liner

This is the most expensive way in which you simply mount an acrylic insert into your old bathtub. This bath is unpretentious in care, smooth and pleasant to the touch.

Important! This method is recommended for steel baths that have thin walls and do not hold heat well. The acrylic liner allows you to solve this problem, since acrylic has a low thermal conductivity and the water poured into the bath with an acrylic liner does not cool for a long time.

But for all its merits, there is also a fly in the ointment, such as:

• Since the liner is made to order, this is an expensive way. In addition, during installation, you will have to remove the tile from the wall in the bathroom, which joins the bathroom.
• The useful volume of plumbing is reduced.

Therefore, you need to think what is better - a bulk bath or an acrylic liner. As a result of the bulk bath, we get the same acrylic bath, but cheaper. Let's look at this restoration method.

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Acrylic Bath Coating

Such restoration can be performed independently without experience and any special knowledge. The quality of work depends to a large extent not on how you did it, but on what acrylic you purchased. The better the starting material, the better the result.

Important! Not all materials offered on the market are equally good in quality and reliability. Recently, a lot of fakes have appeared, so buy products from trusted manufacturers. With proper compliance with all requirements, your new acrylic bath will last you quite a long time.

What are the advantages of acrylic coating?

• On the surface of the bath a thick outer layer is created - strong and reliable.
• Acrylic does not need to be smeared or distributed, it spreads around the entire perimeter. As a result, you get a smooth and shiny surface.
• The choice of colors will please you - you can choose any shade that you want.
• No need to remove the tiles in the bathroom, you just need to seal it with masking tape so as not to get dirty.
• The useful volume of plumbing does not decrease.
• Liquid acrylic smoothes out all minor bath defects during pouring.

At the same time, it is not without troubles. So, for example, if sharp objects fall into the bathtub, scratches and dents are possible, so be careful.

Important! Do not clean such a surface with abrasive materials so as not to damage it. Better - immediately check out the list of tools and tools that are suitable for this purpose. For a detailed overview of the options, see our separate article. "How to wash an acrylic bath at home?".

Liquid acrylic filling:

• First you need to remove the old coating. This can be done with cleaning powder and sandpaper. To speed up the process, you can put an abrasive wheel on the drill and walk along the surface of the bath. Do not forget about the respirator.
• Strip off all chips and cracks.
• Wash the surface of the bath and degrease it. Special solvents may be used. If they are not, then you can use ordinary soda or dishwashing detergent.
• Fill the bathtub with hot water so that it warms up well. Acrylic sticks to a hot surface better.
• While the bath is warming, prepare the mixture. Follow the instructions strictly.
• Drain and wipe the bathtub with a cotton cloth.
• Isolate the tap so that water drops do not subsequently fall onto the acrylic. The siphon must be removed, the hole also insulated. It is best to place a container under the hole so that any paint residue drains there.
• Pour acrylic enamel along the sides of the bathroom, moving slowly around the entire perimeter.

Important! Do not try to correct the resulting irregularities, the acrylic itself will be distributed as needed.

• Apply the next layer, smoothly apply the solution starting from the middle of the walls.
• Protect the bath from litter and spray until it dries completely.
• Everything will dry out in about a week.

Let us now consider another method of restoration - enamel bathtubs to decide which is better - bathtub enamel or liquid acrylic.

Important! When planning the restoration of the font itself, critically inspect the decoration of the walls and floor. If it is made with tiles, it may be worth putting it in order, so that there is not much difference from the point of view of aesthetics and the appearance of the new bath bowl and the rest of the surrounding space does not cause dissonance. You do not have to take drastic measures with a complete overhaul, as there are many ways to restore a decent appearance to even the oldest tile. Our selection of ways from the articles will help you:

• How to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom?
• How to wash tiles on the floor from stubborn dirt?

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Enamel bath

This method can be safely called the oldest, the technology resembles the usual painting of the surface. Good enamel will last you five or six years. Not much, but this method is the most inexpensive and there is no need to remove the tile, siphon or something else. Simply close the drain hole and taps.

Important! Enamel coating is thin, beautiful, but not durable. The restored bath requires a careful attitude, because the chemical composition returns only the appearance, but not the strength.

After enamel coating, you must adhere to the following rules:

• Do not put metal products in the bathtub and certainly do not drop them into it.
• Clean only with soapy water or gel; do not use abrasive powders.
• Do not leave accumulated dirty water. Dirt particles will accumulate in the spongy structure of the enamel.
• Since the cost of such a coating is low, in which case it can be re-made.

Important! You can choose the means for updating your font, taking into account your preferences for manufacturers. If there is no such experience, use the information from our reviews:

• The best enamel for updating the bath - which manufacturer to choose?
• Bath restoration kit - ranking of the best.

So, how to enamel the bath?

1. First you need to remove the old coating. Wash it all off with water.
2. To degrease a surface, to clear all roughnesses.
3. Fill the bathtub with hot water and leave for 10 minutes. Then drain the water and wipe the surface dry.
4. Apply a coat of primer or base coat of enamel. Dry well.
5. Apply a second coat of enamel and also dry thoroughly. Generally, it takes four to seven days to dry completely.

Important! Concluding the update of your bathroom, you might want to add some new interesting touches to its design. If your imagination or creative experience is not enough for this, this is not a problem at all.

Click on the link where ready-made products are presented. ideas for decorating a bathroom.

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Stock footage

We examined all the available ways to restore the baths, which is better - you decide, based on the features of your repair knowledge, skills, and also the allocated budget.