Hi there
I have a small chip in the bathtub and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on which products is best suited to fix this.
Hello @jennifer2
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining us and sharing your question about fixing your bathtub.
I suggest using the PC-11 56g White Epoxy Paste it's waterproof, non-toxic, and once dry can be sanded down. By just mixing a small batch you should be able to cover that chip and lightly sand it down to make it blend in with the tub. However, if it is a porcelain tub I suggest using White Knight 500ml White Tub And Basin Paint. It dries to a tough, tile-like finish to restore previously discoloured or unsightly surfaces.
If you need more advice or information, please let us know.
Eric
Thanks Eric much appreciated. With the PC11 white epoxy paste, once it’s all dry do I need to paint it to seal or anything or is it good to go once dry?
There is no need to paint it. It dries white and is ready to go. Please remember that you can sand it down if you've put too much on. It would be great if you could post an update of the repair once it's done. I'm sure our members would like to see what the repair looks like.
How can you tell if it’s enamel? I’ve been told my bath tub is metal would that mean it has an enamel coat? It is black underneath the chip. It.’s quite a big chip my kid dropped something on the edge of the bath. Thanks
Hello @Vinnierose1
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fabulous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your enamel bath.
One of the best ways to tell if you have a steel bath is to get a fridge magnet and see if it will stick to the sidewall of the bath. If the fridge magnet sticks on, it is definitely a steel bath. If it just slides off it is a fibreglass bath.
Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your bath repaired.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Hi Eric, jumping onto this thread as I have a similar problem. I only need to prolong the life of our bath by around 5 years or so before we replace it so don't want to spend too much - are there any more cost effective products/solutions than the White Knight product?
Hello @13M
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's magnificent to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your bathtub.
The two products that we usually recommend for metal baths are Rust-Oleum Tub And Tile Refinishing Kit and White Knight 500ml White Tub And Basin Paint. The third option is a recommendation of using a cutting wax and a polish. Regardless of what kind of tub you have, the third option will work on both metal and acrylic baths.
Soap wax, lime deposits and body oils actually cling and coat your bath. By giving it a deep and thorough polish you can bring your bath back to its original shine. I recommend using Josco Brumby 75mm Mushroom Polishing Buff and your choice of wax. This would be the most cost-effective solution to give your bath that much needed revamp.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the info, jumping on this thread as well 😊
Does any sanding, spirit cleaning or any other preparation need to be done on or around the chip prior to applying PC-11?
And if sanding is required prior, and for sanding once dried, what grade of paper would you recommend?
Chips are in a pressed metal tub.
Thanks again!
Cheers
Will
Hello @WN
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion.
I suggest washing the area with dishwashing soap and a green pad scrubber. This will clear the spot of oil, wax and soap residue, your goal is to make sure that it is free and clear of loose chips and debris before you start putting on the PC-11 56g White Epoxy Paste. No pre-sanding is required as the surface you are working on is already rough. Once the area is totally dry, you can begin the application of the epoxy paste.
I suggest not making the patch too high or proud of the surface of the tub. I recommend feathering the edges so that the patch blends in with its surroundings. Once the epoxy has cured, you can sand it down starting at 240 grit and going for a 320+ grit or higher. If you've laid the patch evenly, only moderate sanding will be necessary to flatten the patch.
Please make sure to post a picture of the finished repair job. I'm sure our members would be keen to see the final results of the patch.
If you have any other questions, please let us know.
Have read the thread, thank you.
I'm a little confused with the recommendation for metal tub with enamel coating.
Should you first use the epoxy then one of the two products you recommend for metal baths? Or you don't need the epoxy if you use one of the two recommended solutions?
Thank you
Bec
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community Bec (@rln801). It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about repairing a bathtub.
The PC-11 56g White Epoxy Paste is used to fill any damage on the surface like chips. Once those holes are repaired the White Knight 500ml White Tub And Basin Paint is applied over the repaired section and tub. The epoxy paste repairs damage, and the tub paint resurfaces and rejuvenates the bath.
It really just depends on what type of damage you are trying to repair. You might like to post an image of your issue so our helpful members can better understand what to suggest.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
This is the chip i have in my enamel bath tub. Am I correct that you are saying that the repair is a two-three stage process? Clean the area, fill the chip with PC-11 epoxy then paint with the White Knight Tub & Basin.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @DarrenN and thanks for joining in the discussion.
Let me tag our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts in @MitchellMc and @EricL to assist you as soon as possible.
We trust that you'll get plenty of help and inspiration for all your projects around the home and garden from our wonderful community. Feel free to post anytime you need a hand or have a project to share.
Jason
Hi @DarrenN,
That would be correct; it's a three-stage process. The filler must also be sanded flat to blend into the surrounding area.
You might like to apply the filler and see if you are happy with the colour difference. However, I think you'll find the "white" filler ends up being quite grey.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Hi Mitchell,
The coat of my bathtub has started to chip. Would you recommend using White Knight Tub And Basin Paint to cover these chips, or is there a better alternative?
The bath is made of metal in case that's important.
Thanks!
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Richard4. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about restoring a bathtub.
Would I be right in thinking that the chipping layer is a paint that was previously applied over the original paint? It looks like this bath has been re-painted previously, and the painted layer hasn't adhered well. The paint is now delaminating, and any of this compromised paint needs to be removed before you can apply a new tub paint. I recommend preparing this surface and sanding the flaking areas with 120-grit sandpaper; remember to wear a dust mask. Remove all the chipping paint and then sand back into the non-chipped area until you reach solid paint that is well bound. You can then swap to 240-grit sandpaper and smooth out any rough spots. You'll then be able to clean the tub thoroughly and re-paint with White Knight Tub and Basin. I am not aware of any better product, and I've successfully used it myself.
Please let me know if you need further assistance or have questions.
Thanks for your reply Mitchell.
I think you're right that the chipping layer has been applied over the original paint.
Would you recommend re-painting the entire bathtub, or just re-painting the areas that have chipped?
Thanks again.
I'd recommend repainting the entire bath @Richard4. It will provide an additional layer of protection to the current paint and will help blend in the repaired section. If you were to paint just the repair, the paint would likely be a slightly different white, and you'll be able to see the repair clearly.
Hi EricL, can I use the PC-11 56g White Epoxy paste to fix this please? thanks
Hello @Semi
I'm so sorry, but I can't make out the full extent of the damage to your tub. Would it be possible for you to take a closer photo of the damaged area? Our members can then make an assessment of the chip on your tub. We can then make recommendations on how to proceed. Has your tub been painted or re-surfaced before? If it has, I recommend sanding down the tub and removing as much of the old surface paint that's been applied. I propose re-finishing the tub with the White Knight Tub and Basin on the condition that it is a ceramic-metallic tub. If it is a PVC acrylic tub, the tub and basin paint will not work on it.
Fixing the chip with the PC-11 56g White Epoxy Paste will not prevent the chip from getting larger. You could use the epoxy paste as a patch repair, but it will stand out because it will cure to an off-white colour. If your tub has been re-coated, it is likely that the old coat that's been put on your tub is beginning to deteriorate.
Thanks your reply EricL, It's been re-surfaced before and it is a peeled old paint due the dripping water, not crack. I also used the magnet to discover it is a steel bath. so how do I repair to get it back to useable condition please? thanks!
If it has been re-surfaced it will need to be sanded down before you can apply the White Knight Tub and Basin. If you have a look a few posts back you'll see that @MitchellMc has outlined how to sand the tub and prepare it for recoating. But to give you the general outline, you need to use 120-grit sandpaper and finish off with a 240-grit to smooth out the surface. Your goal is to remove all the weak parts of the paint surface. The strong parts can be left behind, but you'll need to smooth out all the rough parts to hide the old paint render.
Give the tub a good wash with just water and make sure that it is totally dry before you begin painting the surface.
Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to paint a bath
Hello Eric,
Thanks for this very informative post. I wonder if you could provide guidance on my situation. I have a metal bathtub that was re-enameled about 5 years ago and the paint is now peeling off as pictured. We are planning to renovate in 3-6 months but would like to do something to hold it over until then as our kids now refuse to get in the bath! Would White Knight Tub and Basin or White Epoxy Paste help with this, or is there another solution to patch it up and stop it from getting much worse?
Hello @TCA87
I suggest doing the same steps for your bath, give it a good sanding down and try to remove all the paint that's failing. Smooth out the parts that stay and give it a good clean before you apply the White Knight 500ml White Tub And Basin Paint. Preparation is the key to a long-lasting finish. If done properly the tub and basin paint should last you a long while before needing to repaint again.
