Liquid bath acrylic is a new concept in the world of plumbing. How is this material used? What are bathtubs? How to DIY bathroom renovation with Liquid Acrylic?
What is "Stakryl"?
Today, two methods of bath restoration are used. The first is the installation of an acrylic liner, the second is the filling of the surface with a liquid polymer. Both options use the same material, but the process and costs differ in many ways.
Liquid acrylic ("Stakryl") restores old, beaten or scratched bathtubs, masks defects. For several hours of work, the master from an unsightly bathtub makes a new copy, outwardly no different from those on the market. "Stakril" is used for restoration and complete renovation of any models. Bulk bathtubs - this is the name of the restoration of bathtubs with "Stakryl", a new bathtub is literally poured onto the old one. The method is quite simple, fast and effective, so it is quite possible to carry out restoration work with your own hands. bathtub,handmade will be cheaper. The cost will be between 15% and 20% of the selling price of a new product.
When is the best time to restore a bathtub? If chips, cracks appeared on the enamel, it lost its smoothness and became rough. Acrylic composition can be purchased at any plumbing store. In addition to the material, you will need tools: a device for removing the overflow - drain system, rubber gloves, masking tape, a drill with a wire nozzle, a brush. A flashlight or carrying lamp can be helpful for working on the interior.
Pros of Liquid Acrylic
- Allows you to completely transform the appearance of the bath, restore its shine and gloss without buying new plumbing. Cheaper than purchasing and installing a new bathtub.
- The material forms a non-slippery, but smooth and pleasant to the touch surface.
- A bulk bath (liquid acrylic), reviews of which are generally positive, is not afraid of bacterial, chemical, mechanical influences. The composition will not become a breeding ground for bacteria. Simplified care of the bathroom, it is easier to wash. You should choose gentle products, soap, soda.
- When working with acrylic, it is not required to dismantle the finish, remove the protective plastic corner or tile. Acrylic is compatible with any base.
- Restoring cast iron baths gives the same excellent result as the restoration of products made of acrylic or steel.
Restoration "Stakryl". Preparing
- Disconnecting from the sewer network, removing drains, removing siphons, gaskets and parts.
- Sanding the surface with sandpaper or a grinder.
- Processing and leveling with the surface of deep scratches, chips and other defects. Acrylic will lie better and more evenly on a single plane. A bulk bath (liquid acrylic), reviews of which it is advisable to study when planning repairs, has an even gloss, subject to the technology.
- Degreasing the bath (with alcohol, refined gasoline, acetone and other special agents) is important to do correctly so that "Stakryl" can clearly fix on the surface.
Enameling with "Glass" in stages
- Selection of tools. We prepare only special devices, in no case a brush or a roller.
- Preparation of "Stakril" according to the instructions. In its original state, it is represented by two components: a thick acrylic base and a liquid hardener. Mix well before restoration. The resulting working mixture should be viscous, fluid and hardening after some time after application. The source material must be of high quality and fit in time.
- Distribution of material in the bath. The process will require care and caution.
- On average, standard-size bulk baths require about 3.5 kg, dry in 4 days.
Acrylic is poured slowly, first on the upper edge, in a thin stream, so that it drainsdown and filled the entire surface. Immediately fill in the gaps that were left uncovered. "Stakryl" evenly falls on the surface, forming a layer of the desired thickness (2-8 mm).
Do-it-yourself filling bath. Tips
- Cleaning old enamel with abrasive material allows you to create the necessary roughness and increase adhesion. It is better to use a drill with a metal brush.
- All dust after stripping must be washed off with water, then degrease the surface with a solvent.
- Chips and cracks do not have to be carefully hidden, acrylic will fill them in.
- After the siphon was removed, put a container under the hole.
- In the process of filling the bathtub with acrylic, pour the composition onto the side, controlling the thickness of the jet. When the first wave reaches the wall, we begin to move around the perimeter. Then fill in a circle until it closes.
- We constantly monitor that the material is poured in the right amount to form a layer: not too much and not too little. Do not be afraid of excess, it will pour out through the hole.
- You can not correct or direct the flowing composition. The uniform thickness should set itself.
Poured acrylic bathtubs, whose reviews speak of their high quality, are becoming increasingly popular due to the simplicity and effectiveness of the technology.
How is an acrylic inlay made?
To obtain an insert, a sheet of sanitary acrylic is brought to the desired temperature and blown into a special mold. In fact, this is a simple acrylic bathtub, only an old bathtub fromcast iron or steel becomes its frame. Acrylic liner can be installed by yourself. To do this, pre-grind and dry the surface. Before installation, it is important to carefully and clearly measure the location of the drain holes and cut them into the insert. After preparation, the liner is inserted into the bath. Landing is carried out on a special glue or mounting foam. The form stands with water during the entire time of shrinkage and strengthening.
Acrylic liner installation
Acrylic liner is an effective restoration method that extends the life of the bathtub by another 20 years or more. It is selected for each bath individually, since the insert must fit under the base in shape. It is quite difficult to determine which is better - a bulk bath or an acrylic liner. Both recovery methods are very effective. After studying the essence and technology of these methods, you can choose the most appropriate one.
The master takes measurements, finds out from the customer the wishes about the color. The manufactured liner is installed only after the preparatory measures:
- Cleaning and degreasing the inside.
- Applying glue to base and liner.
Acrylic liner is placed in the tub and pressed firmly. In this case, special attention is paid to the coincidence of the drain holes, the elimination of gaps. The press that holds the shape while the adhesive is curing is water.
Pouring bath orliner - which is better?
Compare both options for repairing a bathtub in a number of ways. Specifications are shown in the table.
| Parameters | Acrylic liner | Pump bath |
| Lifetime | Under 20 | Under 15 years old |
| Time for restoration work | 2 to 5 hours | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Complete drying | 24 hours | From 1 to 4 days |
| Bath shape | Standard | Any |
| Do I need to remove the tiles along the side? | Yes | No |
Comparison of two technologies
Bulk bathtubs and acrylic liners are almost as good as each other in terms of practicality and economy. But each recovery method has its pros and cons.
- Acrylic bath filling will negate the likelihood of poor-quality installation or installation. The paint itself is fixed on the prepared surface. Filling with liquid acrylic allows you to hide defects.
- In the process of pouring with "Stakryl" the possibility of delamination is excluded, and the use of an acrylic liner may be associated with a number of problems. There is a depressurization of the drain, which results in stains, fungus, mold, and an unpleasant odor.
- Acrylic liner canbe unevenly installed, with uneven cushion, air bubbles and deflections. If the liner solution is not properly prepared, dark spots will show through the liner.
- It is important that the appearance of the acrylic liner is much more advantageous. It is worth remembering that the liner in a steel bath lasts half as long as in a cast iron bath. For steel products, the bulk method is still beneficial.
- A bulk bath, the photo and technology of which can be found in the article, wins in terms of cost and versatility. Repair with liquid acrylic is more technologically advanced than the work of installing the liner. Restoration with "Stakryl" can be done independently, without contacting specialists.
- To install the liner, you need to expose the edges of the tub. If it is rigidly connected to the wall (epoxy or cement mortar), the connection will have to be destroyed, and after the restoration it will be done again. Liquid acrylic will not require this.
Important for beginners
Beginners who do not have experience in the restoration of bathtubs are advised to watch videos, demonstrations on the "Stakryl" pouring technique. Acrylic liner or pouring tub require a clear and quick approach to installation. A few minutes spent watching a tutorial video will not be wasted. Seeing the work of a professional will help you avoid some of the major pitfalls associated with the craftsman's inexperience.
The hardening time of the composition is determined by the selected brand. Materials are divided into quick-drying, allowing you to operate the bath in a day, andordinary, hardening for at least 4 days. Coating that takes longer to dry will end up being somewhat stronger.
For high-quality repairs, it is recommended to purchase branded Stakryl, of course, with a valid expiration date. When restoring, it is undesirable to dilute acrylic too liquid, saving in this case will mean saving strength. Reduced viscosity liquid formulation results in reduced layer thickness and coating reliability.
Conclusion
What should I do if the surface of the bath has acquired an indelible dirty yellow tint? Now you can restore the bath yourself at home. "Stakril" in terms of strength is not inferior to the factory enamel. The bulk layer adjoins the surface more densely than the liner, forming a single whole with it. Acrylic is able to withstand heavy loads, resistant to mechanical and chemical stress, facilitates maintenance. Buying new plumbing is much more expensive than restoring bathtubs. A self-leveling tub will last up to 15 years, while an acrylic liner will last up to 20 years.
