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Re-enamelling a cast iron bath

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Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
2 September 2005, 1:02 AM
newlook
Joined 2 Sep 2005
1 posts

hi people, just read 21 pages in two hours , much to my amazement.

newlook are a bath and cosmetic repair company running for over 25 years. unfortunatley the original director of newlook (my father in law) passed away very early only on reflection to the paints and chemicals in my opinion used in the industry. There are no 100% safe material to my knowledge on the market until we go water based which will initially price us out the market.

sorry abouut the bad news but high profits equal costly health issues. I am still currentley active in this industry but with a young familly and wonderfull wife , i am reducing work loads accordingly. Happy to sub out if you are interested.

With regards to acid etching (page 1-9) it was this method that gave the industry such a bad name - for those that understand "you cant stick selotape to talc on powder" take care lads and allways mask your face ! regards glen.


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
2 September 2005, 12:18 PM
Simon
Joined 8 Aug 2005
2 posts

Hi Elizabeth

I can put you in touch with bath resurfacers throughout the UK.
If you e-mail me at: [Log in to view email] with your town I'll reply with the details of a local contact.

Simon Bailey
The Lab


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
5 September 2005, 5:43 PM
-  Edited by dave 5 September 2005, 6:15 PM
dave
Joined 5 Sep 2005
8 posts

To anyone out there who doesn't know, there is basically two ways in which to have a cast iron bath refurbished. Either resprayed with epoxy, two pack acrylic or polyurethane paint or have it re-enamelled using vitreous enamel. Vitreous enamelling a bath consists of shot blasting all the original enamel off, then ground coating it with a wet clay type material, force drying it, then firing it in a furnace at around 850 degrees celcius for approx 1 hr. Then 3/4 cover coats (actual enamel) applied and fired individually at around 800 degrees. Vitreous enamel is the original material which baths were coated with during manufacture and is STILL the best material to have your bath refurbished with. Having it vitreous enamelled will last a lot longer than any paint job, and because the bath is shot blasted clean to begin with the state of the original enamel does not matter when vitreous enamelling, unlike (re-surfacing).

Dave, Preston


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
5 September 2005, 10:28 PM
-  Edited by Andy 5 September 2005, 10:29 PM
Andy
Joined 22 Oct 2003
65 posts

That sounds fantastic ,how much does it cost and do i have to take down my shower curtain or does the furnace work around it ?

Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
6 September 2005, 9:11 AM
dave
Joined 5 Sep 2005
8 posts

I suggest you look at the following web-site and everything should be self explanatory: http://www.uniqueenamellingservicesltd.co.uk


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
8 September 2005, 8:43 PM
jeanie
Joined 8 Sep 2005
4 posts

I had no idea that bath resurfacing could be so riveting! been glued to the twenty one pages for two hours also and thoroughly enjoyed the sparring between Mr Tubby and Andy.

Now every one just chill and go buy yourselves a shower instead .

Just kidding, I actually came across this forum in searching for advice on the best method to go for. I have a cast iron small narrow rectangular bath which I don't think has been previously re enamelled. I want to employ a professional and have narrowed it down to two companies within the GLASGOW area
the problem is I'm not sure which is using the best method:

Both offer a 5 yr guarantee, but one cleans, then acid etches and uses a cold -cure two pack polythurethane enamel which takes 24hrs before you can use the bath.
The other cleans, sands then uses a 'surface converter', followed by a bonder, primer and enamel which is heat cured using infra - red, takes 4hrs.

The latter comapny inpected the bath for rust spots and there are some pin hole ones on the base but he said it was one of the worst cases he'd seen. I couldn't believe this having seen the rusty old baths shown in this forum. Why would he say this? He says he'll have to fill them first which I'm sure is the case, but why make such comments?

The only other thing that he asked for was for the taps, waste and overflow to be loosened or removed before painting, which I thought sounded like he would do a nice job, so I'm thoroughly confused.

The second one belongs to the 'guild of craftsmen' which all sounds very impressive, but is there any difference to the other technique mentioned? They both charge £250 +VAT and have been in business for 20 - 25yrs.

Decisions....decisions can you help?


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
8 September 2005, 8:49 PM
jeanie
Joined 8 Sep 2005
4 posts

Actually I mean't to say the second method I mentioned doesn't TAKE 4hrs , it can be USED after 4hrs.

Can anyone help me to decide?


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
8 September 2005, 9:41 PM
Tubbyuk
Joined 30 Apr 2004
58 posts

Hello Jeanie,
This is all turning into an exercise in semantics.
First the vitreous enamel website mentioned is very interesting.
1. the guarantee is for life that the enamel wont peel off. This is easy because vitreous enamel cannot peel in any way shape or form.
2. There can apparently be problems because of the possibility of pinholes and blemished areas because of the age and state of the cast iron. I was always under the impression that this vitreous procedure would produce a brand new bath. Not merely similar to the original.
3. In Spray on resurfacing, the application of heat is merely a matter of the need for speed. Heat it and it cures faster and can therefore be used earlier. or leave it to cure in ambient conditions and use the bath after 24 hrs. Neither of these two methods can give you any idea of which is the better of the two.
A customer can only decide based on what they establish about the reputation of the respective resurfacer, then go with their gut feeling.
Each method suits a different market and should be allowed to operate without all the fighting. Hello Andy, I'm glad to see you are still also watching.

Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
8 September 2005, 11:03 PM
jeanie
Joined 8 Sep 2005
4 posts


I'm not planning to do the DIY route so I'm part of only one market, the kind that wants to employ someone else. If both methods are as good as one another then great but if not can anyone highlight the difference.
I'm not looking for a sales pitch or to instigate any fighting ( wasn't aware at this point that any was going on). Maybe there is a neutral expert out there?
Oh one last thing does acid etching pose any health risks to the householder after the professional enamellers have left, fumes etc?

Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
9 September 2005, 8:49 AM
Tubbyuk
Joined 30 Apr 2004
58 posts

Hello Jeanie,
I was joking about the fighting. Acid etching does not pose a problem because it ought to be suitably neutralized. It does an excellent preparation job and is once again very fast and efficient, although not for a DIY'er as its use needs suitable training. The resurfacer should also have a decent professional extractor fan system with ducting.
You will obviously have a residual smell which will last a few hours but it will disappear quickly and does no harm.
You should expect a decent guarantee which is on a proper headed paper with everything clearly spelt out. (get a copy sent by your two firms in question) This will tell you something.
Cheers

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Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
9 September 2005, 10:52 AM
jeanie
Joined 8 Sep 2005
4 posts

ok will do, thanks for that.

Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
9 September 2005, 11:35 AM
supersurfacer
Joined 4 Sep 2004
90 posts

Hi Jeannie,
I know just the man for the job:-).
Please give me a contact number or phone on 0779 320521

Cheers


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
9 September 2005, 11:36 AM
supersurfacer
Joined 4 Sep 2004
90 posts

oops sorry meant 07779 32 05 21

Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
9 September 2005, 9:24 PM
A J Surface Solutions
Joined 9 Jan 2005
24 posts

Hi all
Vitreous enamelling is unsurpassed - there is NO substitute.
Re-coating 'in situ' (should never to be referred to as ‘re-enamelling’) is the most common restoration technique for cast, pressed steel (and occasionally acrylic) bath tubs.
Durability is almost ALWAYS down to prepping (cleaning & etching the surface prior to top coats).
Chemical adhesions can be used (as used by ourselves) but ONLY only in conjunction with chemical etching or grinding of the original surface.
A physical ‘key’ for bonding will usually out perform a ‘chemical’ bonding – and should result in a longer lasting surface.
The actual ‘finished’ look is usually down to the skill and patience of the resurfacer.
Don’t expect your new surface to last a lifetime if your taps / shower is dripping, you have hard water, water puddles in your bath (e.g. around the plug hole) or if you use bath mats and don’t remove them after use.

£200 inc VAT should get you a good job.
Chip repairs cost between £45 and £110 depending where you live (poss + VAT).

I have trained in the states and in the UK and realised that no-one has the ‘perfect system’ and I am always looking to improve mine.
If you want a bullet proof finish then buy a new cast iron enamel bath (mail me for further info).
If you are attached to your existing bath then ensure the surface is etched or ground before the new surface is applied.
Happy to advise further.


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
11 September 2005, 0:01 AM
Dave N
Joined 21 Aug 2005
3 posts

butski
If by any chance you are still following this forum a year later, did the shine last afer polishing? I'm thinking of having my bath polished rather than resurfaced as I have a 1929 cast iron bath which is in generally good nick with slight staining/small area of roughness only.
Has anyone else experience of successful professional polishing of a white cash iron bath? No one seems to recommend DIY pilishing so presumably it's relatively specialised kit and technique? Seems a pity to coat if a good finish can be obtained by simply polishing.
I live in Sutton, Surrey.
Dave N


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
11 September 2005, 4:11 PM
A J Surface Solutions
Joined 9 Jan 2005
24 posts

We have polished baths for 5 years (as well as re-surfaced) - it does remove most stains but will not remove the dark / grey areas where the enamel is so thin you can start to see the cast iron below. The bath needs to be seen first to determin which process is used.
Also it will not leave a bright white finish. The whiteness at the top edge of the bath is as white as it will be where it has been polished.
It will leave you with a the original surface - so no lifting / peeling and this process is our personal favoured restoration technique.
The surface does becomes clean - but not a 'glass' shine - and may need re-polishing a couple of years later as the surface will remain porous.

Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
17 September 2005, 3:24 PM
KATHLEEN
Joined 17 Sep 2005
1 posts

HI: I JUST READ YOUR MESSAGE ABOUT BATHTUB REGLAZING IN A KILN. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS PROCEDURE DONE ON MY OLD BATHTUB. I LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES (NEW YORK). DO YOU KNOW OF ANY COMPANIES THAT USE THIS METHOD HERE? ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

THANK YOU, TOPDOG


Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
17 September 2005, 4:26 PM
dave
Joined 5 Sep 2005
8 posts

Hi Kathleen, we have here in the u.k. what is called The Institute of Vitreous Enamellers and the (i.v.e.) advises people on a whole range of issues concerning vitreous enamelling. In the u.s. vitreous enamel is more commonly referred to as porcelain enamel and i am quite sure that there is such an organisation in the u.s. as the (i.v.e.). So try looking up (porcelain enamelling) on the internet and i am sure you we find someone to advise you on your chances of having your bath properly (vitreous/porcelain) enamelled.

Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
19 September 2005, 9:38 AM
-  Edited by none 19 September 2005, 9:54 AM
none
Joined 19 Sep 2005
1 posts

l

Re-enamelling a cast iron bath
19 September 2005, 5:06 PM
anna
Joined 19 Sep 2005
1 posts

I live in Swansea and have a large cast iron bath which needs re-enamelling. I have had it done once before by a company called Renubath which was ok but before using them again I would prefer to find someone who would carry out the work offering a longer guarantee. So, if anyone out there can come to Swansea and re-enamel my bath or recommend a company who can do this work I would be really interested to hear from you. Many thanks

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