Hi all.
Thought I’d show you all how I fixed My FIL fiberglass bath tub after he fell and put his knee through the side of it. Both tub and knee are fine now.
The crack is on the inside of the tub and is about 6 inches in length.
If at first you don’t succeed…try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
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We were lucky enough to have access to the head of the tub by a closet. So after cutting through the wall, I was able to get to the space between the tub and the front panel (fixed front panel so no access that way, would have been too easy)
If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
The next thing was to open the crack so the two surfaces would line up. (Pic 5397) Then using a dremel and a small sanding disk I removed about half the thickness of the wall of the tub to allow the repair build up to stay flush with the existing surface.(sorry no pic)
Then taking a clear plastic sheet I traced the out line of the sanded area and duplicated it on to another sheet several times to get 5 layers of fiberglass. Then sandwiched the cloth and resin between plastic and using a squeegy prepregnated the cloth(Pic 5403) Cutting out the shape of the repair area and applying it to the tub (pic 5404)If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
Once the Glass build up was cured I used car body repair bondo with long fibers and smeared it on the tub through the access hole we cut into the wall. You can see the break in this pic as seen through the access hole.If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
This shot is to show why the tub broke in the first place. By putting a strong light in the hole in the wall and turning off the lights in the bathroom we got this picture.
You can see how thin the walls are from the light shining through the fiberglass.If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
I'm now at the point of using car spot and scratch filler to smooth out the repaired area and getting ready to paint the tub. Either with car paint or bath tub paint if I can match the color enough so as It will not show. More pics to come of the final fix and paint job.If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
i put my knee through the side of our bath a couple of years ago.
we were going to be moving the bathroom the following year.
i had to repair it.
ended up using a strip of epdm roofing and gluing it on with contact adhesive.
18 moinths later when i took the bath out the repair was still good.
aleks
When you're finished, I have some serious rust on my truck you can tackle.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
How far away are you from Quebec Canada??
If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
Too far, unfortunately. You seem to be very good repairing fiberglass, and I'd hazard a guess auto body repair has been a part of your past, however distant.
I just bought a utility back truck from California ( my brother drove it out east.) It was assigned to the Orange County Search/Rescue, so it sat in the salt air alot. Rust as eaten holes along the seams where the utility top attaches to the sides, the welded seam above the gutter placed above the lock boxes, as well as along the front top seam.
Any ideas on how I can fix this without losing my first born to the local auto body repair man? Although I don't have an array of auto body tools, I have grinders, sanders, and polishers galore. I just need a blueprint for success, so-to-speak.
I know it is off-topic, and I hate to steal your thread, but you appear to be an expert in the field; so if you have a moment?
Thanks.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
You could do a fiberglass repair if it's not structural. However I think that if the weight of the box is being held by the seams then your only repair would be to weld in new metal. Yes that can be expensive. But vs the cost of a new truck It still could be worth it.
As for the gutter, Can the gutter be removed intact? If so then a fiberglass repair could be done. and then pop rivet the gutter back on after.
The repair can be done by making each layer 1/2 inch wider than the one under. Then it can be feathered and smoothed with the spot putty. It will leave a lump but atleast it would be over an area that can be hidden somewhat.
It will keep the cops away atleast.If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
Thanks for the reply. The problem areas are varied, some fixed with fiberglass, others may require new metal.
Good luck painting the tub.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
nice threadNever be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.
This is the picture of the bath tub with the spot filler done and sanded to 1000 grit. FIL thinks he found the right color. I now have to find a car paint store that will mix a costom paint color.
Will keep you posted on the final color and results.
If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
hey Jet
Nice work! I think you should consider "painting" the tub with gel coat. That is most likely what the orgional finish was.
Got any boat stores around there. They will have everything you need.
Going with a 2 part acryllic epoxy paint. The same as a high end car finish.If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
After the tub us repaired, what are you gonna do to fully support the bottom so it wont happen again. Lots of Plumbers put low slump cement to avoid flexing of showers and tubs.
I used cement on the initial install 3 years ago. This crack is on the side of the tub. To give it more support and strength I smeared the side with long strand reinforced body putty. Hoping that this will solve the problem.If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
This one is just for TheodoraIf at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
That last shot must have been doctored to remove the " other " crack !
Great thread, Jet - this is just the sort of thing I come here for !
Greg.
These are the pixs that you asked for to show the contraption I used to vent the Bathroom.
Also the pixs of the final product. So far after two weeks of use the car paint is holding up well.
If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
Edited 8/14/2003 5:36:23 PM ET by jet
Thanks guy, and to think people just toss old furnaces out...crazy people.
Beautiful finish. No dusting? I would have made a mess of that, spraying down.
Support for your fixed crack might be found with "Great Stuff" foam. You might need to stuff newspaper to the side and below to hold it in place until it sets up. It also works under the FG tub too.
My FIL asked about foam to support the side. Unless I filled the cavity between the tub and side I not sure about it. The entire tub walls are all on interior walls. Had the side that was damaged be on an exterior wall then yes I would have foamed the cavity.
As for under the tub I did that to my tub at home and regret it after the fact. even with the tub filled half way it still lifted and ended up off level. Not enough to stop the draining but enough that if you look at the tiles along the tub they are not even distance from the top.If at first you don't succeed...try again! After that quit! No sense being a dam fool about it! W.C.Fields
Yes, I was thinking that cavity between the tub and outside panel. I assumed the front did not detach. I used the foam under a one piece tub unit and had not problem. I applaud your DIY work on the tub. I'm afraid I'd call a tub patch co. for that. I often do for clumsy trades that drop things in my tubs............I'm at work tonight and enjoy reading this forum and your thread was interesting. I'm tuned into and grooving with KGSR radio out of Austin Tx. online. At 1122 hrs CST it's regae hour. Not your top 40 type of station. Very nice to me. But then I'm an eclectic babyboomer.