Best repair: chipped steel/enamel tub(?)
newbuilder
| Posted in General Discussion on
just got a new tub for a new bathroom i’m building … my own place.
When i got it home and out of the truck and all the way to the back and up a long flight of stairs and took off the protective cardboard I discover there’s a chip of the enamel in the most visible place. Now I don’t want to re-package it up and haul it back down the stairs and out to the truck and take it back to the store as it is a cheap tub and just not worth it.
SO: are there any ideas about the best ‘cover’ for a chip in a ceramic/steel tub? Any products that anyone has found to work well? I realize whatever is done will always show as a repair — I’m just looking for the ‘least-bad’ possible result.
thanks –
n
Replies
Yes, as in your own words enamel-on-steel are definitely cheap tubs, and relatively easy to chip. Only thing I've used was appliance repair paint, I think it's some kind of epoxy. Looked OK, but definitely visible. I have had to chuck at least one of these tubs for a client that I had chipped myself. Fortunately it didn't hurt nearly as much as cast iron would have. I learned to always built a ply/OSB cover for ANY tub as soon as it has been set. DO NOT use cardboard.
Edited 9/27/2008 6:34 pm by kenhill3
no no ... i didn't use cardboard for anything. The cardboard is what it came packaged in; I just brought it home .. opened it .. and there was the chip!
thanks for the tip on the appliance repair paint.
n
Edited 9/28/2008 1:26 am ET by newbuilder
There is a product called Porc-A-Fix (not, as it might seem, a castration kit for pigs) that I have used to make acceptable repairs in porcelain sinks.
http://www.porc-a-fix.com/PORC-a-FIX.html
Two parts - a thick base filler and thin color coat that comes in two shades of white as well as several colors.
Three step process - Apply base with a spatula or popsicle stick a little proud of the edge of the chip.
After it dries (lacquer base material dries fast) sand smooth with 220 or finer sandpaper.
Brush on color coat, feathering out slightly over margins of patch.
BruceT
Edited 9/27/2008 10:02 pm by brucet9
hey -- thanks for the pig-fix kit tip.
the thing is, isn't this cheap tub enamel on steel? I think it is. Is that the same as 'porcelain'?
I'll check it out
thanks again -
n
Your cheap tub is porcelain enamel on steel, a form of glass fused onto the metal at temperatures over 1000° F. It's many times harder and more durable than resin-based baking "enamels" used on such items as water heaters, appliances, bicycles and such.The Porc-a-Fix patching stuff is just a sort of lacquer, not remotely as tough and scrub-resistant as porcelain enamel. Suitable for a quick and easy repair for situations where long-term durability isn't expected.
BruceT
cool
thanks-
call the "tub repair guy".
Better yet ... call the place that U ordered it from.
have them call the tub repair guy.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa