Before you turn that old tub into a planter, consider restoring it.
Many older homes that have been renovated have had their original cast iron clawfoot tubs removed. However, there is something of a revolution occurring: People are purchasing historic houses with the goal of putting in the original fixtures, and are doing their best to reinstall tubs that are period-appropriate. Cast iron clawfoot tubs often can be found at antique stores and flea markets. With some cleaning and restoration, one of these old beauties can be the focal point of your bathroom. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Preparation
1. Work with the tub outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Remove the old paint and any surface rust; scrub the tub with fine steel wool or use an angle grinder for more stubborn areas. Work the tip of a flathead screwdriver between the niches of the claw feet to scrape away any rust or paint there.
2. Vacuum up all of the residue and run the upholstery brush attachment of the vacuum all over the tub to clean it. Examine the tub to make sure all you can see is the dark brown cast iron everywhere. Dampen an old rag with mineral spirits and rub it over the outside of the entire tub.
3. Use a large paintbrush or a paint roller to apply a thin coat of the rust-resistant sealer all over the tub. Let the sealer dry and add a second layer, allowing the second layer to dry completely. Lightly sand the whole tub with fine-grit sandpaper.
Re-Glazing
4. Pour the primer included in the refinishing kit into the reservoir of the paint sprayer. Spray a thin coat of primer evenly onto all of the tub surfaces. Let the primer dry 30 minutes, spray on a second coat and let the primer dry completely.
5. Rinse out the paint sprayer and fill it with the glaze. Apply a coat of glaze to the entire tub, wait 30 minutes and add a second coat of glaze. Clean out the reservoir again.
6. Add the topcoat to the reservoir. Coat the tub with five layers of topcoat, waiting 30 minutes between applications. Allow the tub to dry two to three days before installing it in your bathroom.
Tags: clawfoot tubs, coat glaze, coat primer, iron clawfoot tubs, paint sprayer, second coat, second layer
