Porcelain enamel finished cast iron bathtubs and sinks are normally
found today with the some of the original enameled finish in poor, often
etched, chipped and rusty condition.
They got that way from excessive cleaning with highly abrasive powdered
cleansers such as Ajax and Comet. Acetic foods and household chemicals
will etch and degrade the enamel coating. They also commonly suffer from
rusty and chipped drain and overflow holes.
Sometimes if they have been sitting outside in the elements for 70-80
years, the iron underneath gets rusty and that rust starts creeping up
around the edges of the enamel on the rim. Surprisingly, considering the
age and neglect, many of these tubs still gleam in all but the bottom
area showing how high the quality many of the products and materials of
this era were.
We at Bathcrest Bathroom Remodelling have restored and
refinished dozens of these tubs over the years inside and out. With
the exception of tubs with very rusty drain openings, we can usually
restore even the most worn including repairing all chips big and small.
If you would like the outside done we usually have it sandblasted if
badly rusted.
Outside of tub work must be done in our shop. Otherwise, it is normal
for us to refinish the inside in place so there is no need to remove it
from your bathroom if installed.
Since the outside is inherently rough and does not see a lot of
moisture, some customers save some money by sanding / painting the
outside themselves depending on the condition and making sure to use a
good quality oil-based paint.
All Clawfoots we refinish include the "DIAMOND COAT" for extra
durability and protection. This is a very glossy and very tough clear
coat. The timeless elegance and comfort of these tubs restored with our
premium products make for a very beautiful and long-lasting winning
combination.
