Manufacture of stationary sanitary ware at one time began with the manufacture of cast iron samples. Durability was a priority issue for bathtubs and sinks of the time. Cast iron turned out to be the most suitable material for this task. And time has shown that the decision turned out to be correct. After all, cast-iron bathtubs, which are already several decades old, still continue to be used. However, over time, the question of how to restore enamel on a cast-iron bath begins to become relevant.
After all, nothing is eternal, and time does its job year after year. Old bathtubs get flaws that not only disable them, but spoil their appearance. It turned out that in modern conditions it is much more profitable to restore the enamel of a cast-iron bathtub, which is distinguished by reliability, than to replace it with a new one. First, because cast ironthe design has a number of undeniable advantages, and its restoration is relatively inexpensive. Secondly, the dismantling of such a bathtub is associated with a series of additional costs associated with the local repair of the room. Well, let's look at how restoration can be done.
Restoration options
Time has little effect on the overall condition of the cast iron bath, and it still continues to maintain its strength and tightness. Only the acrylic layer is subject to destruction, periodically getting chips and scratches during operation. For a long time it was believed that the enamel coating applied in the workshop using special chambers could not be restored at home. However, modern paints and varnishes proved to be quite suitable for this procedure. Thus, several methods of restoration were invented.
Acrylic liner
How are cast-iron bathtubs restored? Acrylic liner is the easiest and most effective way to restore. Its main disadvantage is its high cost. The price of the service is commensurate with the price of a new enamelled bath. However, if we take into account that ordinary enameled is inferior to cast iron in several characteristics, and the dismantling of the structure will entail a number of additional costs, then the benefits of this event will be obvious.
Installation principle
Let's consider how cast-iron bathtubs are restored. The scheme of restoration by this method looks quite simple. Specialists order an acrylic liner, commensurate with the existing bathroom. And install it yourself. Andhow to restore a cast-iron bath with your own hands, the manufacturers themselves will tell you. They provide step-by-step instructions based on available data.
Good qualities
The acrylic insert has a very respectable look, it is made up of two connected layers. The first consists of an elastic plastic case. The second layer is presented in the form of an acrylic coating that holds the shape and is responsible for the aesthetic appearance. This insert is absolutely smooth to the touch, but it does not slip at all.
In addition, the insert has poor thermal conductivity, which slows down the cooling process, and besides, it is perfectly cleaned. How cast-iron bathtubs are restored using this method is quite simple to find out. However, it is worth remembering that only constructions of a standard sample are subject to restoration in this way.
Application of Liquid Acrylic
During the restoration by this method, a technology called "filling bath" is used. How to restore the coating of a cast-iron bath? The procedure consists in applying an additional acrylic layer to the surface of the restored bathtub. For this, an acrylic component is used, which is used in a liquid state, and after application it hardens. The working material is called "stakryl", the technology of its use is quite simple and accessible to people with elementary skills.
To solve the question of how to restore a cast-iron bath at home, you just need to purchase the rightcompound. The very same restoration procedure for this system is as follows:
liquid acrylic is progressively poured onto the edge of the bath, moving along the perimeter until the circle is completely closed;
a highly fluid liquid, flowing down, covers the walls of the bath and merges into a single mass at the bottom;
the resulting flaws and irregularities are corrected with a rubber spatula
The main condition is not to delay with amendments, but to act quickly until the composition has lost its fluidity. If this technique has to be worked out for the first time, then it is worth filling your hand a little by pouring water on the edges of the bath. After restoration with glass, the updated structure acquires all the qualities of acrylic samples.
Enameling
How to use it to restore an old cast-iron bath? This method is the least expensive to use. After all, the cost of components of this type is an order of magnitude lower than glass and much less than the cost of a finished acrylic insert. The working composition of this coating includes two main components. The first is presented in the form of an active enamel, which provides a high-quality coating of the bath. The second component consists of a hardener that allows the applied layer to set. The process consists of a series of successive steps that allow you to restore the enamel of a cast-iron bath with your own hands.
Preparatory work
Despite there are several ways to restore an old bathtub, the surface preparation process looks identical. All work on thisstages are carried out in a given sequence, taking into account various nuances and applying precautions that eliminate doubts such as “is it possible to restore a cast-iron bath?”.
Removing rust formations
The process of rust formation is formed as a result of metal oxidation under the influence of oxygen and high humidity. For restoration work, it is necessary to completely remove traces of oxidation with acetic acid. Oxalic is also good.
Dilute acid is applied to damaged areas and left to react for 30 minutes. Then it is washed off, and if the traces of rust are not completely gone, they are cleaned off with a very stiff brush. At the end of this stage, the bath is washed with hot water and detergents.
Sanding
After the surface is cleaned of rust and debris, it is carefully cleaned. The smoother the surface will be after the cleaning procedure, the better the new coating will look. The best tool for this work is a grinding machine. In the absence of grinders, they use special nozzles on a drill that allow you to install sandpaper on them. In the worst case, you can use sandpaper and clean up by hand. After the surface has acquired a satisfactory condition, the bath is rinsed using warm water.
Grouting and degreasing
Despite the tools used, the stripping procedure cannot be completelygive the surface the desired smoothness. All the same, characteristic depressions remain in the places of chips, and deep scratches that may appear as a result of coating cannot be avoided. Minor defects are eliminated with the help of a special putty, which is applied with a small margin. The hardening time is indicated by the manufacturer on the package.
When the putty is completely dry, it must be polished with fine sandpaper until the surface is completely smooth. At the end of the process, dust is removed with a damp sponge. The surface is degreased with a solvent.
Enamel process
Before enameling, it is necessary to turn off the water so that it does not get on the surface of the bath during the application of the layer. Next, the sewer siphon is completely removed along with all the elements. Under the bath, in place of the siphon, a small container is installed into which excess enamel will run. Next, a series of actions are performed in exact sequence. This is one of the best ways to restore cast iron bathtubs:
- First of all, after preparing the surface for the enameling process, a primer layer is applied. Thus, maximum adhesion of the decorative layer to the treated surface is ensured. Most often, for the purchased enamel, the manufacturer provides a primer of the same brand, in which case it is recommended to buy it. In addition, some enamels do not require the use of a primer. In this case, the composition is applied in twolayer. The first one is made thinner so that it dries faster, and the second layer is already applied as the main one.
- Enamel, designed to cover the bath, has a two-component composition. In addition to the main component, a hardener is attached to it. The required proportions to obtain the nominal composition are indicated on the original packaging. If there is no need to cover the bathtub with white enamel, and a certain shade is preferred, then the desired color can be added to the enamel composition. However, it is important to know its dosage so as not to completely spoil the shade.
- The process of applying enamel is carried out with a soft wide brush, you can also use special rollers. The duration of the procedure has certain limits (the enamel quickly hardens). For this reason, you should not stretch the process, but paint quickly and as accurately as possible.
- When applying enamel to the surface of the bath, your actions should be directed from top to bottom. It is necessary to visually mark the distance from the edge of 20 centimeters and paint over the strip in a circle. Then you need to go down the next 20 centimeters and close the next circle, moving in this way to the very bottom. The bottom of the tub is painted last. The second layer is applied in the same way.
Here's how cast iron bathtubs are restored. Complete drying of one layer of enamel occurs only at the end of the third day. Until this time, not only can not use the bathroom, but avoid getting water. If the surface is painted with two layers, then you will have to waitat least a week. After the enamel has completely hardened, the first step is to return the sewer siphon to its place. In general, the bath restoration procedure does not contain any complicated steps and is accessible to everyone. However, if you want everything to go perfectly, it is better to train in an unnecessary bath (for example, from a summer house).
