Replies

1. 
   designbing | Nov 23, 2003 06:21am | #1

   I dont know if its yours or not but I had several done for customers and as long as you take really and I mean really good care in maintaining the tub it will last at least five years before it needs to be redone.  In SoCal where I'm at the company I use does really nice work and at $350 its alot cheaper than replacing the tub especially if it is a real classy looking tub (especially the corner tubs they dont seem to make anymore.

   Bing

1. 
   hacknhope | Nov 23, 2003 07:34am | #2

   The tub's mine and we plan to be using it for the next 20 years - so that could be four irritating cycles of trying to decide when enough peeling is enough and booking the refinisher. 

   The bathroom is nothing special (small) but it's about to be stripped down to the studs and redone completely, so the time to decide on the tub is now.  I loath modern tubs - shallow, plasticky.  People are always so proud of their stupid jacuzzi tubs and all I can think is that they remind me of barbie doll skin.  So the next challenge is how to replace the depth and feel of the 1930s original without serious damage to the rest of the house, or breaking the bank?  The overall house is a non-shouted art deco style and the bathroom will be in keeping with that. 

   The most recent issue of FHB spoke about sinks and mentioned porcelain or enamel on metal products that had backing material to make the basin feel and sound more like cast iron.  Any advice out there from you or others who know tubs?    I'm not in SoCal, but in Toronto.  I'll be able to source pretty much anything by a known manufacturer you might name.

1. 
   hacknhope | Nov 23, 2003 07:58am | #3

   ...Okay I looked up previous discussions here about 'americast', but would still welcome other commentary or advice for someone who loves her cast iron tub and would like a new one just like it (as easily and cheaply as feasible for good result).

1. 
   ccal | Nov 24, 2003 09:18am | #4

   They still make cast iron tubs.

1. 
   hacknhope | Nov 24, 2003 10:53am | #5

   " ... they still make cast iron tubs..."

   Yup, and after spending some time reading old Breaktime discussions (and all the manufacturers web sites), I'm convinced.  It will be well worth the cost of paying 4 strong guys to bring it upstairs. ;-)