Replies

1. 
   michael_rose | Mar 05, 2002 04:58am | #1

   *
   Been there and done that--absolutely NO FUN!! You can try and buy a repair kit, which can be bought in most home improvement stores or any tile store. The problem is matching the existing shade of white or the existing color.

   Depending on where you live... you might check the yellow pages for ceramic tub repairs. Plan on spending $75-$100--ouch!! I feel your pain.

   My $100 mistake taught me to never wear a tool belt in the tub/shower again and line the tub with either a blanket or cardboard when thinking about working in or around the tub.

1. 
   Brian_Smith | Mar 05, 2002 06:12am | #2

   *i will get you the name of a manufacturer whose kit runs $20 something. maybe you can find them on the internet. i purchase mine from maintenance warehouse (subsidiary of home depot). excellent kit. i assume the tub is white...if you can't find them and if there's no hurry (as in to have one around for future use), you can send me $25 and i'll ship one to you.brian

1. 
   ken_hill | Mar 05, 2002 07:36am | #3

   *Casey- I also feel your pain. Sounds like the tub is enamel on steel, cheap and very easy to chip. I dropped a fart fan into a tub and the mistake cost about $350, $200 for the tub and $150 for plumbing. Remodel, so had to replace for homeowner. Now I always build an OSB cover on any jobsite with activity around the tub. Also, if anyone asks, I strongly recommend porcelan/cast iron, always better in the long run. Unfortunately, repairs never can equal the original. Good luck. :o( - Ken

1. 
   splintergroupie_ | Mar 05, 2002 08:09am | #4

   *A friend of mine does bathtub and appliance refinishing, mosly old clawfoots. I've seen horrible looking stuff filled and painted to look like new. His franchise name is "Miracle Method" and he warrants for five years, but there are others, some good and some not so. A good plumbing supply place should be able to recommend one of these guys who has been in business long enough to get it right.

1. 
   Brian_Smith | Mar 05, 2002 08:43am | #5

   *i'm telling you guys, this repair kit is great! i know that the price is making you doubt it, never mind the fact that it's DIY...had to repair a tub with this product a month ago on a high end home rented by a successful painting contractor. he went to the trouble of having my company customer service department track me down to find out where he could put his hands on it!i wouldn't be recommending a product here that i didn't have personal experience with or found to be substandard.i'll try to get the manufacturer's name tomorrow...brian

2. 
   Casey | Mar 05, 2002 09:50am | #6

   *Hey, thanks for all of the info! Brian, I would love the name of that product. I'm not in any rush, all of the work on this house won't be done for another month or so. It has been almost completely gutted, and the tub was a salvage piece. The sad thing was that there were two other tubs that they didn't need, so they just hauled them off to the dump that morning. In any case, I made sure that the tub will be covered from here on out. I usually do cover them, but not until I start mudding. Oh yes, and it was white. Thanks again,Casey

3. 
   Brian_Smith | Mar 05, 2002 06:13pm | #7

   *the irony hurts, doesn't it.here's their phone #: (877) 492-8711here's their website: http://www.bathtubrepair.comhere's their email: [email protected] product includes everything that you'll need, but i use an electric sander to achieve a smooth surface. use several light coats.brian

4. 
   ken_hill | Mar 05, 2002 10:28pm | #8

   *Brian- Thanks for your experienced recommendation. I know by your posts that you wouldn't steer us wrong! -Ken

5. 
   Casey | Mar 06, 2002 02:02am | #9

   *Brian, Thanks again. This will save me a ton of extra work, and a couple hundred bucks as well. I'll let you all know it turns out.Peace,Casey

6. 
   Brian_Smith | Mar 06, 2002 06:28am | #10

   *your welcome casey.ken. i was generalizing. when someone recommends any such product, my tendency would be to wince in doubt. since this product is not generally available and little is heard about it, i felt that i had to be more emphatic. couple of tips...run exhaust or open a window. apply the repair material with a single-edged blade of some kind. for your repair, a scaper blade would be the right size. don't hesitate to sand the porcelain around the repair area as well. whenever possible, let the repair cure overnight before sanding and painting. clean with acetone before applying repair material and prior to painting. give some time for the acetone to completely evaporate.the product states that it can be used on gelcoat fiberglass, but don't use it on fiberglass surrounds. it's a very bad experience...brian