Liquid baths, liquid acrylic: reviews, photos. DIY bathtub. Which is better - a bulk bath or an acrylic liner?

Liquid acrylic for bathtubs is a new concept in the world of plumbing. How is this material used? What are bulk baths? How do I upgrade my bathroom with liquid acrylic?

What is Stuckril?

Today, there are two ways to restore the bath. The first is the installation of an acrylic liner, the second is the filling of the surface with liquid polymer. Both options involve the use of the same material, but the process and costs are very different.

Liquid acrylic ("Stacril") restores old, broken or scratched bathtubs, mask defects. Within a few hours of work, the master from an unsightly bath makes a new copy, outwardly no different from those on the market. "Stakril" is used during restoration and with full updating of any models. Fluid bathtubs - the so-called restoration of bathtubs "Stakrilom", the new bathtub is literally poured onto the old one. The method is quite simple, fast and efficient, so it is quite possible to carry out restoration work with your own hands. A self-made fill bath will be cheaper. Costs will range from 15 to 20% of the selling price of a new product.

When is the best time to restore a bath? If enamel appeared chips, cracks, it lost its smoothness and became rough. Acrylic composition can be purchased at any plumbing store. In addition to the material, you will need tools: a device for removing the overflow - drain system, rubber gloves, masking tape, a drill with a wire nozzle, and a brush. A flashlight or a carrying lamp for working with the inside can be useful.

The advantages of liquid acrylic

• Allows you to completely transform the appearance of the bathtub, restore its luster and gloss without buying new plumbing. Cheaper than purchasing and installing a new bathtub.
• The material forms a non-slippery, but smooth and pleasant to the touch surface.
• A bulk bath (liquid acrylic), reviews of which are generally positive, is not afraid of bacterial, chemical, and mechanical influences. The composition will not become a breeding ground for bacteria. The maintenance of the bathtub is simplified, it is easier to wash. You should choose gentle means, soap, soda.
• When working with acrylic, it is not necessary to dismantle the finish, remove the protective plastic corner or tile. Acrylic is combined with any base.
• The restoration of cast iron bathtubs gives the same excellent result as the restoration of acrylic or steel products.

Recovery "Stakrilom". Training

1. Disconnecting from the sewer network, removing drains, removing siphons, gaskets and parts.
2. Surface sanding with sandpaper or grinder.
3. Processing and alignment with the surface of deep scratches, chips and other defects. Acrylic will lie better and more evenly on a single plane. A full bath (liquid acrylic), the reviews of which it is advisable to study when planning repairs, subject to the technology has an even gloss.
4. It is important to do the degreasing of the bath (alcohol, refined gasoline, acetone and other special means) so that Stakril can clearly fix on the surface.

Enameling "Stakrilom" step by step

• Selection of tools. We prepare only special devices, in no case a brush or roller.
• Preparation of "Glass" according to the instructions. In the initial state, it is represented by two components: a thick acrylic base and a liquid hardener. Before restoration they are well mixed. The resulting working mixture must be viscous, fluid and hardening some time after application. The source material must be of high quality and suitable in time.
• The distribution of material in the bath. The process will require care and caution.
• On average, standard size bulk baths require about 3.5 kg and dry in 4 days.

Acrylic is poured slowly, first on the upper edge, with a thin stream, so that it flows down and fills the entire surface. Immediately fill in the gaps that were left uncoated. "Stakril" evenly lays on the surface, forming a layer of the desired thickness (2-8 mm).

DIY bathtub. Advice

1. Scraping old enamel with abrasive material allows you to create the necessary roughness and increase adhesion. It is better to use a drill with a wire brush.
2. After cleaning all dust should be washed off with water, then degrease the surface with a solvent.
3. Chips and cracks do not have to be carefully hidden; acrylic will fill them.
4. After removing the siphon, put a container under the hole.
5. In the process of filling the bathtub with acrylic, we pour the composition onto the side, controlling the thickness of the stream. When the first wave reaches the wall, we begin to move along the perimeter. Then fill in a circle until it closes.
6. We constantly monitor that the material is poured in the right amount for the formation of a layer: not a lot and not a little. Do not be afraid of excess, it will pour out through the hole.
7. The flowing compound must not be corrected or directed. The uniform thickness should be set by itself.

Bulk acrylic bathtubs, reviews of which speak of their high quality, are becoming increasingly popular due to the simplicity and effectiveness of the technology.

How is acrylic liner made?

To obtain the insert, the sanitary acrylic sheet is brought to the desired temperature and blown into a special form. In fact, this is a simple acrylic bathtub, only an old bathtub made of cast iron or steel becomes its frame. Acrylic liner can be installed independently. To do this, pre-grind and dry the surface. Before installation, it is important to carefully and clearly measure the location of the drain holes and cut them in the insert. After preparation, the liner is inserted into the bath. Landing is carried out on special glue or polyurethane foam. The mold stands with water throughout the entire time of shrinkage and strengthening.

Installing an acrylic liner

Acrylic liner is an effective method of restoration, extending the life of the bath for another 20 years or more. It is selected for each bath individually, since the insert must fit in shape under the base. Determining which is better - a bulk bath or an acrylic liner is quite difficult. Both recovery methods are very effective. Having studied the essence and technology of these methods, you can choose the most suitable.

The master takes measurements, finds out from the customer wishes about the color. The manufactured insert is installed only after preparatory measures:

1. Cleaning and degreasing the inside.
2. Application of glue to the base and liner.

The acrylic liner is placed in the bathtub and snugly pressed. In this case, special attention is paid to the coincidence of the drain holes, the elimination of gaps. The press that holds the mold during the hardening of the adhesive is water.

Bathtub or liner - which is better?

Compare both options for repairing the bath in a number of ways. Characteristics are given in the table.

Comparison of two technologies

Bathtubs and acrylic liners are practically inferior to each other in terms of practicality and efficiency. But each recovery method has its pros and cons.

• Acrylic bath filling will negate the likelihood of poor installation or installation. The paint itself is fixed on the prepared surface. Filling with liquid acrylic allows you to hide defects.
• In the process of filling with "Stakrilom" the possibility of delamination is excluded, and the use of an acrylic liner can be associated with a number of problems. Depressurization of runoff occurs, as a result of which spots, fungus, mold, unpleasant odor occur.
• The acrylic liner may be unevenly installed, with an uneven cushion, air bubbles and sagging. If the solution is not properly prepared for installing the liner, dark spots will shine through it.
• It is important that the appearance of the acrylic liner is much more advantageous. It is worth remembering that the liner in a steel bath serves in time two times less than in a bath made of cast iron. For steel products, the bulk method is still advantageous.
• A bathtub, the photo and technology of which can be found in the article, wins in terms of cost and versatility. Repair with liquid acrylic is more technologically advanced than the job of installing the liner. Restoration with Stakril can be done independently, without resorting to specialists.
• To install the liner, you must expose the edges of the bath. If it is rigidly connected to the wall (epoxy resin or cement mortar), the connection will have to be destroyed, and after restoration to be done again. Liquid acrylic will not require this.

Important for beginners

Beginners who do not have experience in the restoration of bathtubs are advised to watch video materials, demonstrations on the Stakrila casting technique. An acrylic liner or bathtub requires a clear and quick installation approach. A few minutes spent watching a training video will not be wasted. Viewing the work of a professional will help to avoid some serious flaws associated with the inexperience of the master.

The curing time of the composition is determined by the selected brand. Materials are divided into quick-drying, allowing you to use the bath in a day, and ordinary, freezing for at least 4 days. A coating that dries longer results in a bit stronger.

For high-quality repairs, it is recommended to purchase the brand "Stakril", of course, with an effective shelf life. When recovering, it is undesirable to dilute acrylic too liquid, saving in this case will mean saving in strength. Liquid composition with reduced viscosity leads to a decrease in layer thickness and reliability of the coating.

Conclusion

What to do if the bath surface has acquired an indelible dirty yellow hue? Now you can independently restore the bath at home. "Stakril" in terms of strength is not inferior to factory enamel. The bulk layer adheres to the surface more densely than the liner, forming a single whole with it. Acrylic is able to withstand heavy loads, resistant to mechanical, chemical effects, facilitates maintenance. Buying new plumbing is much more expensive than restoring bathtubs. The fill bath will last up to 15 years, and the acrylic liner will last up to 20 years.