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A History Of Claw Foot Bathtub Refinishing

By Douglas Baker


For households in the late nineteenth century indoor plumbing was often considered to be a luxury. One of the fixtures which was included was a bathtub. Originally the equipment was made of cast iron and lined with a porcelain finish. The tubs were heavy and they were fairly expensive, but were appreciated for luxurious bathing. If you have one of the tubs because you like the style, wear and aging may make appearance less than desirable. In order to bring your bathroom fixtures into an aesthetically appealing state, claw foot bathtub refinishing provides solutions.

The peak of popularity for the claw foot occurred in the mid-eighteenth century. The feet which give the tub its name were likely created in Holland with a nod to the Chinese design of a dragon foot clasping a gemstone. The tubs could have been made of cast iron, but also constructed of copper or tin with a printed coating. Unfortunately, the paint often cracked and peeled which was not attractive.

The original tubs were not as eco-friendly, because they were larger than a standard tub and required a larger volume of water. As cast iron was replaced by modern materials such as fiberglass or acrylic, the prices were not so heavy as cast iron and cost less to construct.

A real cast-iron tub is less likely to be selected by contractors who specialize in renovation projects or who build new homes. The reproductions are more popular. For those who really want the original, highly collectible tubs, refinishing is likely to be required. Even the newer versions or replicas can often require repairs and refinishing. Such projects are less costly than purchasing a new unit would be.

An application of a new coating is an economical project for appliances which have become stained, worn or cracked. The choice of contractors is likely to be an important factor in a quality result. The product itself also needs to be good quality in order to last for many years and look great throughout its life.

The refinishing process should be done by a knowledgeable and experienced contractor. The first step is to repair any areas that are damaged. Flaws such as chips or cracks are treated with some type of polyester putty. Once the repairs are completed, an acid etching treatment is applied. By etching the surface, a porous surface is prepared so that the refinishing product will adhere to the tub surface.

Once the acid treatment is completed, the tub is ready to apply a coat of primer, followed by a top coat. The new bathtub finish is usually epoxy, hybrid polyester-polyurethane, urethanes or polymers. The coatings can be applied with a roller, brush or may be sprayed on.

Ambitious homeowners may try purchasing a DIY refinishing kit from a local or online outlet, but hiring a contractor almost always results in a better level of satisfaction with the completed project. DIY efforts can be left with streaks or brush marks that look less than appealing.




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