Paint, OT

Gary Mitchell · Dec 11, 2019

Here where we live and keep my tractors, we have a bathtub that isn't really big enuf. A pal gave me an old claw foot tub that would be great except it needs refinished. It's in pretty good shape, no nicks, etc, just worn and faded looking. The appliance refinisher dude I called wants $1,000 to refinish it. I thought that was pretty high. Then I got to wondering why a body man couldn't paint it. It's made out of cast iron I think but I don't know what it's coated with. If I did I might try to paint it myself but I really don't want my wife to kill me if I louse it up. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I know some of you are highly skilled in painting things. Help? Thanks,,, gm

Phil9N3667 · Dec 11, 2019

Look on Amazon for a porcelain/tub/sink kit. There's a ton of different kits. I got one to do an old kitchen sink, never got around to doing it.

1948CaseVAI · Dec 11, 2019

It was originally fired enamel, not paint. Takes special products to coat it right and I have never heard of anyone who was happy with the results. Just buy a good, new tub.

Patsdeere · Dec 11, 2019

Depends on what part you are painting. Outside, yes body guy or you could do. Inside takes a little more work, proper etching and then proper coating. Remember it will be submerged in water so coating had to be made for it. Plus from the ones that I have been around when redone, it's pretty nasty and stinky.

I would also shop around, bet you can find a better price.

Steve@Advance · Dec 11, 2019

I tried to save an antique lavatory that was in bad shape.

I Bondoed the chips, sanded it down.

Went to Lowes and they were actually able to color match epoxy paint.

I think it would have turned out good IF I had sprayed it.

Didn't want to sacrifice my spray gun (pre Harbor Freight), so I tried to brush it. Bad mistake. Brushing epoxy is like painting with syrup!

But ugly as it was, it did hold up for a number of years until I moved away.

Side note: Many years ago my mom had her built in black (yes, black!) tub painted white by a pro. That was way back when tub refinishing was just beginning. It held up, completely covered the black, looked really nice.

If I were going to do it, and had the money, I would go with the pro.

Side note 2: Are you entirely sure you want a free standing tub? The problems are finding a way to artfully hide the plumbing, or having to use chrome, which will be expensive.

And, they are dust bunny breeders! No way to easily get behind and under to keep it clean, paint, or do any maintenance without having to remove it.

jeffcat · Dec 11, 2019

1948 you are correct. Fire glaze is a for real perfect finish. There are
outfits that do it but are for big high price home "restoration" projects. Ship
it out and a couple of months later you get it back. I understand some of the
epoxy coats are really nice when done by a component person. Would be the same
idea as a professional quality paint job on your classic car.

kcm.MN · Dec 11, 2019

Just an idea -- You could look for some non-textured white bedliner. Would probably be a bright white, but you could talk to someone in a local paint department and ask what tint you could add to make it a more antique white, or whatever color you want.

I'd probably go with a brush-on or roll-on, but from what I've read, many folks end up buying higher quality rollers than what comes supplied (if a kit).

Ultradog MN · Dec 11, 2019

As folks here know I remodel bathrooms for a living. I have torn out probably 10 cast iron tubs that people have had refinished.
They epoxy they use invariably chips and flakes off.
Tubs are enameled. They take a paste with ground up glass powder in it and paint it on. Then they put it in an oven and the glass particles melt and adhere to the cast iron - or steel too. Pretty much nothing will adhere to the enamel forever. It will chip and flake.
Best use for an old clawfoot tub is a stock watering tank. Or if you butcher your own hogs you can put a propane weed burner under it and boil the water to blanch the skin.
Or if you had 50 people over you could boil a lot of ear corn in one.
I give them to a friend of mine along with the scrap copper and brass I get. Vietnam Vet who's drank and drugged himself pretty hard in life. He gets about $60 a ton for them. We take turns with the 8 lb sledge and take them out in pieces. Scrap man doesn't dock you if it has been refinished...

504 · Dec 11, 2019

Smooth truck bed liner by a pro shop?

Determined · Dec 11, 2019

Could a person sandblast it then have it powder coated?

I have a set of roll bars I sandblasted and had powder coated almost 30 years ago, they are still as shiny as the day they were done.
I have only washed them, never needed a coat of wax yet.

showcrop · Dec 11, 2019

Steve, modern crow's foot free standing cast iron tubs are installed out in the middle of large rooms.

J.Wondergem · Dec 11, 2019

My Daughter had her tub glazed 6 years ago. The guy came to her house to do it. She said it took him 5 1/2 hours to do it. Just had the same guy do it again. He told her it would last 5 to 7 years. She said it really sinks up the house, but he does a nice job. She said she could hear a sander or something going at one point. Then later the stinks comes. She said he keeps the door shut with the fan on. This is the only thing I've heard of tubs being done.

Stephen Newell · Dec 11, 2019

Sherwin Williams sells a kit that isn't very expensive that would do it. You need the means of spraying it though.

VicS · Dec 11, 2019

We put barn tin on ceilings, why not just use a stock tank. My Father in law did. My Mother in law had bad arthritis. He used a stock tank with a A frame over it and a electric chain hoist with a bosom seat. Also a wayne water pump to circulate the water. Worked perfect. Kinda looked industrial. Lol

Paint, OT

Gary Mitchell

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Phil9N3667

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1948CaseVAI

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Patsdeere

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Steve@Advance

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jeffcat

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kcm.MN

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Ultradog MN

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504

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Determined

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showcrop

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J.Wondergem

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Stephen Newell

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VicS

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