Bathtub glaze peeling?

Question

Hello all,
I was wondering if there is an easy way to remove the glaze on the bathtub after it has started peeling? A contractor came in a few years back and did a very shoddy job on it, and now most of the bottom of the tub has peeled off but the sides are still intact. Please help, thanks.

Answer 1

There are specialist painters of baths. They carry specialist paint guns, sand-blasters, infra-red heaters vacuums, They strip off any old surfaces, vacuum up,use a 2 part paint , spray on ,and dry with infra-red refl;ectors. Ready to use next day, and guaranteed. I would say quite expensive.
If it is a quickie DIY job use a blade from a utility knife to taper the old paint edge

Answer 2

Hi,

I probably won't strictly answer your Q... and I mean no offense at all to any "REGLAZERS" or those who suggest the viability of it,,,BUT...

Consider the substance of a tub, and it's FACTORY finish.

I've been in the trades, likely longer than you've been on the planet,,,smiles,,, with all due respect,,,and so many of US have "reputations" NOT all in a positive sense.

I've never considered a reglaze, primarily because I'm a skeptic and DEBUNKER as well as a contractor. I've never truly witnessed anything I'd consider a MIRACLE in my life, nor any situation that was life long in context. I can't know "that" contractors abilities or the substances used, but anyone with any logic in their thinking should assume that a RE-DO is a cosmetic/ aesthetic attempt, for what is probably a short term duration, in effect.

Certainly the SIDES are still intact,,, they aren't subject to submersion. AGAIN... I suggest the initial substance and process used in manufacture. Have you ever painted on a panel of glass? In essence that's what was done on your tub. Have you ever noted a paint can, after empty,,, or even a pain tray after empty, submerged in water,,, after using a latex based paint? Eventually what happens is the latex comes off like a skin... SO similar to what you're experiencing now.

Cast iron, or steel tubs are usually,,or were, manufactured using a process that glazed a substance... bonded it to, the base material. It was truly designed, with the thought in mind, that it would last a lifetime. Obviously that isn't always the case.

Not knowing your budget at all, and not assuming that the tub is and heirloom antique, you might, assess, that after all efforts,,, BUYING a new tub and having it installed, might be as economical... Certainly less labor intensive, and might you not,,,after any/all efforts suggested, be just as dissatisfied?

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

Try a single edge razor blade. It is going to be slow and tedious.