Add An Epoxy Coating To Your Bathtub
If you recently had a bathtub installed in your home, adding an epoxy coating to its surface will prevent staining and corrosion. The following steps describe how to use basic materials to apply a protective layer.
Materials
- soft-bristled scrub brush
- chlorine bleach
- detergent
- spray bottle
- scouring pad
- bucket of epoxy
- mixing stick
- paint tray
- painter's tape
- paint brush (various widths)
- plastic sheeting
- disposable gloves
Clean The Tub And Prepare The Epoxy
Turn on the bathtub's faucet and fill up a cup with warm water. Dump the water over dirty surfaces in the tub. Refill and dump the cup as often as needed until surface dirt has been eliminated from the tub's interior. Add equal amounts of chlorine bleach, detergent, and water to a spray bottle. After shaking the contents in the bottle for several seconds, spray the cleaning mixture onto dirty surfaces in the tub. After the cleaning solution penetrates the soiled areas for a couple minutes, move a scouring pad back and forth over treated surfaces.
Rinse the tub's interior and exterior with plain water when finished. Allow the tub's surface to air dry. While waiting for the tub to dry, open a can of epoxy and use a wooden stick to stir the contents in the can. Pour mixed epoxy into a paint tray and set the tray next to the bathtub.
Apply A Couple Coats Of Epoxy
Use strips of painter's tape to cover the tub's faucet and knobs. Lay plastic sheeting or vinyl tarps across the flooring that is adjacent to the bathtub. Dip a standard paintbrush into the paint tray that is filled with epoxy. Kneel next to the bathtub and apply a coat of epoxy to the tub's exterior. Move the paintbrush in a straight line and dip the brush into the paint tray as needed. After the tub's exterior is coated with epoxy, wait for the epoxy to dry. This could take several hours.
After the epoxy dries, remove your shoes and get into the tub before applying a coat of epoxy to the tub's interior. Again, apply the epoxy in straight lines. After the tub's exterior and interior are dry, add a second coat of epoxy to the tub's exterior and interior. After the second coat of epoxy has dried, carefully remove the strips of painter's tape from the tub's faucet and knobs. The epoxy coating will remain intact after being exposed to moisture. If the epoxy ever wears off, add a couple new coats to provide the tub with continuous protection.
Talk to a tub dealer, like Boca Walk-In Tubs, for more information.