How to restore the enamel in a cast iron bath?

Restoring the enamel in a cast iron bath is sometimes easier than buying a new bath.

Firstly, this is due to the financial component.

Secondly, getting even an expensive bath, you can "fly" with it in quality.

Third, dismantling will require a lot of time and effort.

Another reason to update the enamel in a cast-iron bath is the fact that the tile laid can deform. This will lead to additional work and costs.

To date, there are three common ways to restore the appearance of the old bath:

1. Enameling - the bath is covered with a new layer of enamel;
2. Restoration with acrylic insert;
3. The method of "filling bath" with the use of liquid acrylic.

Preparing for the recovery of the

bath Before starting to apply a new coating, a cast-iron bath must be prepared.
Restoration of the bath starts with cleaning the surface.

The old layer must be removed, the surface must remain flat and clean. Assistant in this business is sandpaper, using which consumes a lot of energy, energy and time.

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Therefore, you can use a drill with an abrasive disc. As a result, the glossy layer should be transformed into matte.

To protect the lungs from dust, you can use a respirator or gauze dressing.

The next step is to remove unevennesses, dents. If any, then to level the surface you need to use a primer with epoxy resins.

If the rust remains after removing the old bath layer, then it must be removed. This is done with acetic acid or acetic acid.

The treated surface should be left for 30-40 minutes, then rinse with water.

The bath must be degreased. The question arises: how can fat appear on it?

The person in the process of making water procedures is allocated fat from the body, which subsequently settles on the walls of the bath.

Also, the walls accumulate a layer of animal fat, which is added in the process of producing soap.

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Degreasing by your own hands is done with usual detergents( for utensils) or with baking soda.

The surface of the cast-iron bath is treated with the product, after which it is necessary to collect hot water, hold it for 10 minutes and release it. We wait, when the walls become dry, you can wipe them with a towel.

Preparatory work with your own hands is finished, you can proceed with restoration.

Coating method with a new layer of enamel

The recovery of a bath by enamelling is one of the most affordable in the financial plan.

In the shops you can find different shades of enamel, to get the desired color you need to choose the material that is suitable for the bath.

The enamel contains two components: a base and a hardener. Ensure quality mixing is possible by heating the enamel to a temperature of 15 to 25 degrees.

For this, the enamel( not in its pure form, but in a container) is lowered into a bowl of hot water.

After the preparation of the material, the first layer is applied, it must be thin. It is necessary to wait 20 minutes before applying the second layer of enamel.

Cover the surface with extreme care, so that no leakage or bubbles occur. You can use a roller instead of a brush, but then the material consumption will increase.

Bath restoration requires two layers to be applied, but to achieve greater strength and preservation of the coating, it is necessary to make four layers.

At the end of the works you can not use a cast-iron bath for seven days. During this time, the coating should dry completely. Use special means for drying is not recommended.

After the time has elapsed, the surface can be polished with a small amount of paste( polishing).

Method of using an acrylic insert

The method of an acrylic insert involves placing a "bathtub in a bath", which is manufactured by the factory.

Restoration is as follows: on the old surface of the cast-iron bath is pasted a plastic insert, which completely repeats the shape of the bath itself.

Specialists make an insert, and the installation is easily done by themselves.

At the same time, the preparation of enamel according to the technology presented above is not required, but it is not completely excluded, everything depends on desire only.

Restoration begins with the removal of drains and overflows, and the side walls and adjacent ceramic tiles are removed.

Next, the insert is "trying on", marking is done, and the holes for draining and overflow are cut out carefully.

In the old cast-iron bath, a silicone sealant is applied near these holes, and a special adhesive is spread over the entire surface. After the performed actions a new bath is installed.

The applied sealant is removed from the surface. Between the old and the new coating of the space should not be, so the seams are filled with sealant.

The final stage is the installation of gratings on the drain holes, after which it is necessary to collect a full bath of cold water and leave for half a day( 12 hours).

The method of restoring an old bath insert is best used when ceramic tiles on the walls are not yet laid.

After the expiration of the time, the acrylic insert retains the appearance of a new bath, but it can be difficult to install with your own hands, for example, the insert does not fully match the old surface.

Probably, it is necessary to be engaged in adjustment of the sizes and to cut off superfluous.

Acrylic Acrylic Reconstruction Method

"Stakril" is another name for liquid acrylic. Restoration of the bath by this method is a bit like enameling of an old cast iron surface. The difference lies in the thickness of the layer.

Preparatory work is carried out according to the previously described technology, after which the restoration begins.

Liquid acrylic is thoroughly mixed in the container, for this you can use the nozzle "whisk", mounted on the drill. The drain hole of the cast iron bath is closed with a plastic cup.

Tools - brush, roller - not required. Stakril is poured over the surface, so that it would be more convenient to do it, you can take an ordinary plastic cup of 0.5 liters.

Reconstruction with liquid acrylic begins from the sides. All substance is poured on the perimeter of the bath. When the glass drips to the bottom, empty areas are formed on the walls of the bath, which must be filled.

Do it yourself with a spatula: the technology "from the bottom up" from the bottom of the liquid substance rises. At the same time, all work is done quickly.

If the bottom of the bath is not evenly covered, the areas formed are covered with a substance that has accumulated near the drain.

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After treatment of the entire surface of the bath, the glass is removed, and the excess acrylic flows into the preset bowl.

For a day acrylic has time to dry completely, but start using the bathroom better after two or three days.

An important point when covering a bath with acrylic with your hands is that before starting work the crane needs to be wrapped with a towel. This is a kind of reinsurance to create an even coating layer.

It is advisable to choose the color of acrylic in the tone of the old bath, otherwise stains may appear and spoil all the beauty.

How to save the result?

When the recovery of the bath was successful, what should be done to keep the view of the new bath as long as possible?

• Clean the bath with a soft cloth that will not damage the enamel;
• Bleach is the main enemy of enamel when soaking in the bath;
• Try not to expose the surface of the bath to the fall of heavy objects that can scratch or melt the decorative layer;
• Recovery will again be necessary if the surface is covered with boiling water, and then turn on cold water. Temperature differences - another enemy of the enamel surface;
• If possible, it is necessary to exclude the entry of different varnishes onto a new surface, the same applies to hair lacquers.

Following these simple rules, you can extend the life of a cast-iron bath and forget for a long time what is the restoration of the enameled bath surface.