DIY bath restoration

Over time, any plumbing deteriorates, defects, chips appear. It is not always possible to replace it immediately, especially when it comes to the bathroom. But there is a great alternative - do-it-yourself bath restoration. In this way, which is not very expensive, it is possible to postpone the cost of acquiring new plumbing for several years. Many people think that this is a very complex process, and only a specialist can cope with it. In fact, this is not so. Let's see what are the ways to restore the baths, can we handle this seemingly difficult process ourselves.

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Causes of Enamel Wear

Why does our bath deteriorate so quickly, because it would seem that it has good quality and care, but here comes the day when you have to think about restoration. What are the main causes of rapid thinning of enamel? Most often this is due to the following reasons:

• Frequent use when cleaning abrasive substances, as well as chlorine-based products.
• The enamel is adversely affected by chemicals used to clean the sewer.
• The effect of hard water.

As a result of constant exposure to these factors, the enamel deteriorates, becomes rough and rusts in places.

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When is a restoration needed?

Do-it-yourself bath restoration will return your font to an impeccable appearance and help you delay the purchase of new plumbing for a while, depending on the method you choose.

When is a bath restoration required?

• If your bath has become rough, cracks and chips have appeared.
• If the enamel has turned yellow and the gloss has disappeared.
• When rust and lime deposits have appeared that are not removed.

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Bath restoration methods

How to restore a bath at home? There are three main ways to restore:

• Enamel bath coating.
• The method of filling liquid acrylic.
• Insert acrylic liner.

To get a good result from the repair, you need to choose the right method:

• Enamel - the cheapest option for restoration, but at the same time the most short-lived.
• If the bath is chipped and cracked, then the enamel will not hide these defects, in this case, bulk acrylic or liner will help you.
• If you are not sure that you can do it right yourself, it is easier to order an insert.

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Enamel bath

The whole process of enameling takes place in two stages. First you need to prepare the surface of the bath for enameling. It is very important to do it right.

Important! The main task of surface preparation is to obtain the correct basis for subsequent enameling. The surface should be rough, then the hitch will be better.

Operating procedure:

• Before starting the restoration, the surface of the bath must be degreased. This can be done using Pemolux or a mixture of coarse salt with soda.
• Sand the bath with a grinder or drill. It can also be done with sandpaper, but it will be a more complex and time-consuming process.
• Remove dust and enamel with water.
• Apply a degreaser. This can be done with a rag.
• Type hot water in a bath and leave for 10-15 minutes.
• Drain and dry the bath with a tissue.

Important! Make sure that no lint from the fabric remains on the surface.

• The surface is ready for application of enamel. Mix enamel and hardener. Follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Brush the main layer of enamel on the surface, starting from the edges and going to the center. Try to do it evenly and accurately.

Important! Now this layer should dry. The time during which this will happen will be indicated on the packaging.

• Now apply another coat. But you need to apply it, starting from the middle and moving to the edges.
• Leave the bath to dry completely. It usually takes 7-8 days.

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Liquid Acrylic Method

In this way, you can restore any type of bath, whether copper, cast iron or acrylic. Do-it-yourself liquid bath acrylic restoration has its advantages, let's look at them:

• Acrylic independently fills the entire surface of the bath and forms an even layer, you do not need to apply it with a brush, roller or other tool.
• This coating lasts longer than simple enameling, as it turns out thicker.
• Acrylic fills all minor defects, thus leveling the surface of the bath.
• Useful space in the bathroom is not lost.

Just as in the case of enameling, you need to prepare the bath for applying acrylic:

1. To begin, clean the bath well. The old coating must be removed. This can be done with sandpaper or a grinder with a special nozzle.
2. Rinse the bath from debris and dust, wipe it with alcohol or solvent.
3. Degrease the surface - this can be done with soda. Cover the entire bathtub with a thin layer of soda, and then wipe thoroughly with a wet rag. Rinse off the remaining soda with water.
4. If there are cracks and chips, then ground them.
5. Before pouring acrylic, heat the bath. To do this, draw hot water and leave it for 20 minutes in the bath, and then release it. Dry the surface with a lint-free cloth or napkin.
6. Remove the upper and lower drain, disconnect the plumbing from the sewer. Place a drain pan under the drain hole. Excess acrylic will flow there.

The bath is ready to be coated; acrylic can be diluted.

Important! Buy acrylic of good quality and from reliable manufacturers. After all, the restoration process is very laborious, and it will be very disappointing if, due to poor-quality material, all your work goes down the drain.

Prepare the mixture for work and do the restoration of the bath yourself. This must be done strictly according to the instructions:

• The finished solution is poured in a thin layer into the prepared warm bath, starting from the walls around the perimeter.
• Then, acrylic is poured from the middle of the bath toward the bottom.

Important! Roughnesses and bumps that appear will straighten out themselves, they do not need to be leveled, otherwise you will ruin the coating.

• When the coating is dry, connect all sewerage systems.

Important! The exact drying and curing times of acrylic will be indicated on the packaging. Do not attempt to use the bath before the specified time.

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Acrylic liner

How else can you restore a bathtub, for example, cast iron, at home? One of the easiest ways is to insert an acrylic liner, because all you need is to order or buy this liner.

Important! This method is the most expensive. In addition, when you insert the liner, useful space is lost, that is, your bathtub will become slightly smaller in size.

And in this case, bath preparation is indispensable. This is how the whole font repair process looks like this:

1. Clean the bath from the old coating, sand and degrease.
2. Remove the drain hole.
3. Rinse and dry the surface.
4. Insert the liner and try on. If it's a little big, you can trim it.
5. Apply two-component foam to the bottom and sides of the bath.
6. Insert the liner and press it for five minutes, pressing the bottom of the bathtub, and then the walls, with your feet.
7. Seal the drain with sealant.
8. Draw cold water so that it reaches the middle of the bath, and leave it for 5-6 hours, and then drain.

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Stock footage

In this article, we examined all possible ways of restoring bathtubs at home.Which one you will choose to update your plumbing with your own hands - decide based on your budget and skills for working with various repair tools and tools.