Painting a bathtub with epoxy resin and acrylic

Bathtubs may begin to exhibit signs of wear and tear with time. The presence of stains, scratches, and chips can give the appearance of an old and unattractive bathtub. Although replacing it might seem like the only option, painting it with epoxy resin or acrylic is a simpler, more affordable solution.

You can get the original shine back in your bathtub using this method without having to deal with the hassle or cost of replacing it completely. In just a few hours, you can give your old bathtub a brand-new look with the appropriate supplies and a little perseverance. Painting your bathtub is a useful and satisfying project, whether you’re looking to update your bathroom on a budget or you just enjoy do-it-yourself projects.

What you need to know and prepare

Rumor has it that doing this work yourself is nearly impossible. Specialists must be invited, even though their work is not inexpensive.

However, we’ll attempt to do it on our own:

1. You should have at least a superficial knowledge of the process. In addition, do not forget that you will have to work with volatile aggressive substances, so you need to take care of your own safety. You should also have some plumbing maintenance skills.

1. Renewal of the bathroom coating should be done in the warm season, when it is possible to send household members out of town for a week. During the process, all windows in the apartment should be wide open to create strong ventilation.

Enamel for plumbing equipment restoration

1. Prepare a special respirator, since the "petal" will not work. It should have an organic absorber cartridge (MZ). A civilian or military gas mask will protect the respiratory tract well.

1. Also be sure to take care of a rubberized or oilcloth apron and rubber gloves. Household latex ones are also suitable, but they should be two-layer (orange or yellow on the outside, white on the inside), prepare 3 or more sets.

Word of advice: it’s not practical to paint an acrylic bathtub entirely. It is sufficient to use a repair kit to seal the damaged areas and a paint spray can with the appropriate shade to completely cover them.

Repairing bathtub enamel

Tools and materials

Take into account the following advice when getting your tools ready.

Thus, you’ll need:

• a brush made of natural bristles 70-90 mm wide. Be careful and do not touch the bristles with your fingers, it is better to immediately put them in a new plastic bag before starting work. Otherwise, any particle of fat or sweat can cause the paint to peel off;

Purchase two at once to avoid having to stop work in case one slips, gets dirty, or touches something.

• a grinding attachment for an electric drill and Durex (a grinding wheel on a plastic or rubber base). They must have a shank for the chuck of a power tool;
• tweezers and a painting knife for careful, hands-free removal of bristles that have fallen out of the brush. Do not work with an old one that has already been used to paint something, but bristles will always come out of a new one.
• 0.5 l of solvent No. 646 or acetone. Do not use White Spirit or other solvents based on saturated hydrocarbons;
• clean rags, that do not leave lint. For example, old, many times washed calico, cotton or flannel. Microfiber cloths that are used for wiping glasses are excellent, you need 5-6 pcs., however, they are expensive.

Acrylic for fixing plumbing

Choosing a coating

Enamel based on acrylic or epoxy resin is available from manufacturers.

1. Epoxy enamel has been used for over 20 years. If you properly prepare the bathtub and follow the technology for applying the coating, it will last the same amount or even longer. Instructions for preparing and applying epoxy enamel are not simple.

1. Acrylic has been used for bathtub restoration relatively recently, up to 10 years. The material is not inferior in durability to the previous one. It is easier to work with acrylic enamel, but it is more difficult to prepare the compound. This is due to the fact that acrylic is very viscous, at the same time, the hardener used is liquid, so you will have to mix thoroughly and for a long time. It should also be taken into account that the cost of acrylic is higher and it is necessary to strictly maintain the proportions.

Use epoxy resin if you are an experienced painter. It is preferable to pay attention to acrylic if you are a neat person but lack skill.

Preparation for painting

Basically, preparatory work consists of roughening up the surface and completely degreasing it. The size of the microroughness and plasticity—the durability of the repair compound—have a major impact on its adhesive qualities. New enamel typically fractures as a result of thermal distortions.

We provide two suggestions on this topic below:

1. Use #1 sandpaper for abrasive processing of the bathtub, although you will have to work longer. Otherwise, after smoothing to a matte finish with fine sandpaper, there will be places on the surface that the enamel will not be able to get into.
2. When working with epoxy resin, add to the finished compound in addition to the solvent or acetone 5% of the volume of the mixture of plasticizer – dibutyl phthalate, which is used as a mosquito repellent.

Cleaning the surface and processing with an abrasive

Cleaning the entire surface of an old bathtub before painting it is the first step.

However, before doing this, you should open the apartment’s doors and windows and put on an apron and gloves.

Advice: wear a respirator or gas mask if using oxalic acid.

1. Pour any active detergent on the bottom in a line, in particular, pemolux or oxalic acid.
2. Moisten it slightly with water until you get a paste and spread it over the entire inner surface of the bathtub with a new household sponge.
3. Wait 10-15 minutes, then rinse off the paste and fill the bathtub to the brim.
4. Hold it for 15-20 minutes. and drain the water. After this, you can process it with an abrasive.
5. Take an electric drill with an attachment and clean the surface from rust. You can even remove the layer down to the metal, just make sure not to go all the way through.
6. Then make the surface matte with Durex. Check the roughness with your fingernail – it should not slip. Also illuminate the walls and bottom with an LED flashlight – there should be no glare spots.

Enamel bath epoxy

Use a vacuum cleaner to dust and degrease the bathroom, followed by a cloth dipped in solvent. Use it to wipe until the rag is clean, being sure to focus on the drain hole.

Subsequently, add 0.5–1 liter of an acidic detergent composition (Pemolux – alkaline) to the bathtub and use a fresh household sponge to gently scrub every surface. After waiting for one and a half hours, fill it completely, wait for one to one and a half hours more, and then drain. Doing this washing three to five times is advised.

After taking a bath, you should immediately dry it with a hairdryer. Use a rag and greasy water to give the surface a thorough cleaning; the water should cover the entire surface.

Coloring

1. Prepare epoxy enamel according to the recommendations on the package. Mix 250 ml at a time, so divide the hardener in advance. After adding it to the base, mix thoroughly, adding 12-14 ml of dibutyl phthalate to each ready portion.

Make use of a flat brush. Wait 15 to 20 minutes after applying the first layer, or as directed by the manufacturer, before applying the second. The paint should be applied in the same direction and should begin in the same spot as the first. For several days, ideally, keep the bathroom closed.

1. When using acrylic, you can paint with a roller and brush. Direction – from the edges to the drain, make sure that no bubbles form. You can then apply the second layer on top.

Composite acrylic "Stakril"

Advice: You can buy an acrylic compound called "stakril" that is used to paint bathtubs.

An inexpensive alternative to replacing an old tub is to paint it with epoxy resin and acrylic to give it a new, long-lasting finish. During this procedure, a glossy, smooth coating is applied to the bathtub, improving its appearance and prolonging its life by making it stain- and scratch-resistant. Your bathroom can be transformed with professional-looking results if you prepare it properly and apply it carefully.

Refinishing an old, worn-out bathtub can be accomplished with epoxy resin and acrylic paint. With this method, you can update the appearance of your bathroom without having to buy an expensive replacement. Years of long-lasting, smooth paint can be achieved by evenly applying paint after the surface has been carefully prepared.

It’s crucial to take your time with every step, from thoroughly cleaning and sanding the tub to properly combining the acrylic and resin. For optimal results, adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions. Although this project calls for some perseverance and close attention to detail, the outcome is well worth the work.

With the correct supplies and a little bit of skill, you can turn your bathtub into a gorgeous bathroom focal point. Painting your bathtub is a gratifying and fulfilling project, whether you’re doing it to save money or just because you like do-it-yourself projects.

Video on the topic

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