How to update a cast-iron bath at home is of great interest to many, since over time it becomes unusable, the enamel becomes thinner, rust spots, chips and stains appear on it. When the best abrasive cleaners fail to fix the problem, most owners decide to change equipment.
However, plumbing fixtures are quite expensive, because many begin to look for alternatives related to updating the old bathtub. This allows you to give it an attractive look and extend its life.
Features of the cast iron bath
Cast-iron baths were designed to serve about 10-15 years. However, it is worth noting that they were installed back in the days of the Soviet Union, many of them have a rather unattractive appearance. The cast-iron bath itself is quite heavy and, depending on its size, weighs 80-100 kg.
It was made of high quality cast iron, and enamel was applied according to certain standards. Modern plumbing tanks are very inferior in quality to Soviet designs. Therefore, their dismantling is not always convenient and expedient.
In Soviet bathtubs, under the spoiled enamel, a solid construction was ideally preserved, which did not undergo deformation, so it can be completely restored.
Is it worth it to restore
After many years of operation, even the best bath takes on a rather unattractive appearance. From contact with low-quality water, yellowness and rusty streaks appear on it, and from inaccuracy of users cracks, scuffs and chips are formed.
However, it is worth noting that all these problems are only superficial in nature, which is why many are wondering how to update the old cast-iron bath, since it is more rational to restore it than replace it with a new one.
Replacing an old bathtub is accompanied not only by significant financial costs, but also by rather tedious activities, namely:
- dismantling the old plumbing fixture;
- purchase and delivery of a new product;
- repair in the bathroom.
Given all this, we can absolutely say that the restoration of the cast-iron bath is a completely justified and economical move, especially since the whole procedure can be performed independently.
How beneficial is the restoration
A radical method is to replace the sanitary container, which is why many are interested in how to update the cast-iron bath at home, as it is less expensive. First of all, you need to carry out all the required calculations.
Initially, you need to summarize the cost of a regular bath, add the cost of delivery, including loading and transportation. Dismantling of old equipment and installation of new ones are carried out independently or you can contact a special company. Also in the price you need to include the replacement of damaged wall and floor coverings. That is why it is worth saying for sure that installing a new bath is quite costly and troublesome.
Therefore, many people think about how to update a cast-iron bath at home, since this is a more budget option, because you just need to purchase finishing material. A competent approach to this issue guarantees a very good result, and also gives the opportunity to save additional money.
Methods of restoration
A new snow-white bathtub begins to lose its attractiveness over time. Its surface becomes rough, gloss disappears, and smudges and yellowness also form. In this case, there is a need to replace plumbing. However, a full repair and purchase of a new bath is a rather expensive undertaking. The easiest way to update the cast iron bath with your own hands. The most popular repair methods will be such as:
- processing with two-component enamel;
- acrylic bulk coating;
- installation of acrylic liner.
Each of these methods has its own specific features. Enamel bath is considered the most affordable option. With it, you can eliminate yellowness, roughness, minor scratches and rust. Enamel coating is not suitable in the presence of large defects, in particular, such as:
- the presence of chips;
- peeling of the coating;
- deep scratches.
There are certain pros and cons of coating an old enamel bath. The main advantages include:
- affordable cost;
- the enamel layer does not reduce the volume of the bath;
- To perform the restoration, it is not necessary to dismantle the siphon and tiles on the sides.
However, there are certain disadvantages, which include:
- with poor-quality application, traces of the brush may remain;
- drying time;
- does not mask very large lesions;
- coating service life up to 5 years.
Recently, bulk acrylic began to be very popular, which is applied to the walls by uniformly draining without a brush. A similar method has a number of advantages, which include:
- the bath does not turn yellow over time;
- the coating is corrosion resistant;
- the material is suitable for the restoration of various bathtubs;
- smudges do not form on the surface;
- restoration does not require dismantling of the bath;
- acrylic does not let air through;
- service life is 15 years;
- the coating is resistant to chips and other damage;
- Acrylic retains heat well.
However, it is worth noting that such a coating has certain disadvantages, which include:
- before processing, dismantling of the drain is required;
- acrylic repeats all the irregularities of the bowl;
- the coating does not tolerate elevated temperature;
- long drying period.
It is worth noting that when using low-quality acrylic and not observing the finishing technology, bubbles can form. This can lead to deformation of the coating.
The most expensive method of restoration is the installation of an acrylic liner. Basically, it is made to order, strictly under the parameters of the product. Installation is not recommended to be performed independently, since any error significantly reduces the period of operation of the bath. A similar technique has certain pros and cons. Among the main advantages you need to highlight:
- quick installation;
- the ability to hide existing defects;
- unpretentiousness in leaving;
- smoothness of the coating.
The disadvantage of this method is the high cost of the acrylic liner, the reduction in the volume of the bowl, the difficulty of independent work. In addition, before the restoration, it is necessary to remove the adjacent tile.
Surface preparation
It is important to know exactly not only how to update the cast-iron bath at home, but also how to carry out the preparatory work. There is no difficulty, but the entire subsequent result depends on the correctness of their implementation.
Initially, you need to degrease and wash the bath, as the presence of fat can create big problems. Its presence leads to poor adhesion of all materials used. The new coating will become unusable very quickly.
The cleaning process is quite lengthy and should be carried out as thoroughly as possible. It provides for the use of potent chemicals that contain acids. All subsequent steps are performed only complete drying of the surface.
After removing dirt and grease, the surface is polished to make it as rough as possible, which will increase adhesion. This whole process is carried out using a special nozzle on a drill. It is best to take a soft brush. In addition, ordinary sandpaper is suitable for cleaning.
Particular attention should be paid to areas with rust. In this case, the cleaning is carried out up to a metal base. After all work done, the bath needs to be washed again. Disconnect the container from the drain hole to prevent clogging.
Acrylic coating
Many are interested in how to update a cast-iron bathtub with acrylic. Reviews this method has earned very good. It is also called bulk. Acrylic is more durable than the enamel coating, as well as warmer, which provides additional comfort. To update the cast-iron bathtub with acrylic, it is not applied with a roller or brush, but is poured evenly onto the surface.
In application, this material is much more convenient, so there will definitely not be any stains and streaks. Acrylic has the property of spreading evenly and absolutely anyone can cope with this task. To update the bath you need to purchase liquid acrylic and hardener, which is included.
When performing the procedure, you must clearly follow the instructions, namely:
- wash the surface from existing contaminants;
- sanded with a grinding wheel or sandpaper;
- wash away debris from the surface;
- handle rust;
- close up chips with car putty;
- degrease the surface with solvent.
Then dismantle the drain hole and overflow, substitute a container under them. Dilute acrylic with hardener according to the instructions on the packaging. Gradually pour the liquid on the sides of the bathroom until a full circle is obtained.
It is necessary to carefully distribute the liquid near the junction with the tile. Then continue to pour the product from the middle of the height of the walls. When the entire surface is filled with acrylic, let it dry according to the instructions. It mainly takes 1-4 days.
It is worth remembering that after mixing acrylic with a hardener, it is suitable for use for 1 hour. It is worth noting that working with acrylic requires some skill, since it is important that you get an even layer without sagging.
Enamel application
Many people wonder how to update the enamel of a cast-iron bath with their own hands, since this is the most budget option. Unlike the acrylic pouring procedure, this method does not require dismantling of the overflow and drain hole.
The main components of this material are: epoxy resin, hardener, as well as some auxiliary components.
Enameling is the application of enamel paint with a natural brush. In addition, some types of paint are available in the form of aerosols, which are very convenient to spray on the surface of the bath and thus a very uniform layer is obtained. However, such tools are mainly used for local repair and elimination of minor defects.
If you spray the entire surface of the bath with an aerosol, then it will become spotty. In addition, aerosol contains a large amount of solvent, so the coating will be less durable.
To update the enamel of the cast-iron bath, you need to perform preliminary preparation. After this, you can proceed to the procedure itself, which consists of several stages, namely:
- mix the base and hardener;
- with the help of a hard flat brush, begin to apply paint;
- you need to move from the sides to the walls, and from the walls to the bottom;
- movements need to be alternated and done in different directions;
- after applying the first layer, immediately proceed to the second;
- after full staining, pour a little paint on the bottom and evenly distribute it on the surface.
After the procedure, you need to make sure that there are no smudges left. If they appeared within 15 minutes, then you need to stretch them with a brush, moving to the bottom from the sides. Leave the product to dry completely for at least 5 days or a week. Thus, the enamel of a cast-iron bath can be quickly and simply updated. It is advisable to carry out the restoration in the dry warm season. For the drying period you need to open all the windows. There should not be children and pets at home.
Acrylic liner
Answering the question of how to update an old cast-iron bath, we can say for sure that it all depends on the features and nature of the damage. If there are significant problems, enamel or acrylic treatments may not produce the desired result. In order not to change the old bath, the restoration must be carried out using the liner.
Acrylic liner gets very good feedback from users. How to update a cast-iron bathtub using this method, you must know in order to get a very good final result. To select a pallet or order, be sure to correctly measure. Answering the question of how to update a cast-iron bathtub with an acrylic liner, we can say for sure that this process consists of several stages, namely:
- preparatory activities;
- liner marking;
- mounting.
During the preparation, it is necessary to dismantle the side and tile adjacent to the bathroom, remove the drain and overflow of water. Then you need to perform the cleaning and degreasing of the surface.
When the entire preparatory process is completed, you need to mark the liner. To do this, put the insert in the bath, mark the edges of the sides and the fixing area of the harness. If necessary, trim it around the perimeter and prepare all the technical holes.
It is very important to understand and know exactly how to update a cast-iron bathtub with an acrylic liner. Reviews this method of restoration has earned the most positive, as there is an opportunity to achieve the best result. Installing an acrylic liner implies the following steps:
- repeated degreasing of the surface;
- applying foam around the drain and overflow holes;
- covering the side with foam around the perimeter;
- mounting the pallet.
Then you need to press down the liner, remove the excess foam that came out of the drain hole, and then mount the sink and fill the bathtub with water. It should be noted that the installation of the harness must be done very carefully. Too much tightened bolt can provoke a crack in the liner. If the fasteners are not good enough, then water will accumulate between the coatings. This coating is the most demanding to adhere to the technology, which is why it is better to entrust the work to professionals.
Knowing how to update an old cast-iron bath, you can choose for yourself the best option that will fully suit all your needs.
Correction of minor defects
How to update the coating of a cast-iron bath is of great interest to many, as this is a more economical option than replacing it. If the defects are small and single, then you can mask them locally without resorting to a complete restoration. Observing all the recommendations of specialists, it is possible to restore damaged areas as soon as possible.
In the presence of through holes, it is possible to repair such a crack with epoxy resin and apply a reinforcing mixture from above. For restoration, a special repair kit will be required.
In the presence of chips and scratches, you need to carry out such a procedure to eliminate defects:
- treatment of the plot with a rust converter;
- powder surface cleaning;
- degreasing the surface with acetone;
- Puttying for car and grinding;
- painting.
Each person decides on the best way to update a cast-iron bath, taking into account existing defects and damage.
Features of bath cleaning
You can update the cast-iron bath in a variety of ways, they earned both positive and negative reviews, since each of them has certain pros and cons. It is important not only to know how to restore, but also how to maintain an attractive and aesthetic appearance of plumbing.
Enamel and acrylic coating are quite susceptible to abrasive substances, so you need to choose the most mild cleaning agent. It is important to exclude funds that include ammonia, chlorine, acetone, as well as other aggressive components.
After cleaning the surface, rinse it with plenty of water. In the bathroom, it is undesirable to bathe pets, as their claws leave scratches.
Do not allow the formation of rust on the metal elements of plumbing, as the enamel and acrylic absorb yellowness, which is difficult to remove.
Full restoration of the bath is a rather complex process that requires certain skills. In the absence of experience, the probability of errors is very high. That is why everything must be done very carefully.