Master Brian
DIY Senior Member
I recently installed a clawfoot tub that seems to have been built in 1911. After reading something online, I realized some of these had lead based finishes, so I tested it and sure enough it contains a lead based finish.
I have spoken with the health dept about lead issues and they are sending me info and I plan on having the tub water tested to see if it contains lead, but I suppose it will as the finish altough intact seems to have some chalkiness to it.
If the water test comes back positive, I'll likely have the tub refinished.
Everything I seem to read says even some of the professional refinishes don't last more than 10 years and even less if refinished on site. I realize some people tend to get more time out of them, but I have a 3 y/o and another on the way and this is the main bath, so it will get some abuse. I know there are do-it-yourself kits and i've heard pros and cons about them as well. I also read somewhere about using marine based paints that are self leveling and brushable.
My options seem to be, take a chance on a professional re-finish. I don't doubt there are good ones out there that would last, but I can't seem to get a good referal around here. Closest one was 3 hours away. I could spend $50-$100 on a DYI kit that might only last a few years and may not look as good, I do have some auto painting experience and a pro quality paint gun and access to a heated paint booth, if that matters. I am also interested in the marine paint that is brushable and self leveling. I could easily wet sand this tub, pull the hardware off and paint it on site.
Any other ideas? The finish itself is not bad, there are some surface scratches, but they don't show except closeup. If I could just get rid of the chalky residue, I'd probably be fine. I'm wondering about wetsanding or polishing.....
I have spoken with the health dept about lead issues and they are sending me info and I plan on having the tub water tested to see if it contains lead, but I suppose it will as the finish altough intact seems to have some chalkiness to it.
If the water test comes back positive, I'll likely have the tub refinished.
Everything I seem to read says even some of the professional refinishes don't last more than 10 years and even less if refinished on site. I realize some people tend to get more time out of them, but I have a 3 y/o and another on the way and this is the main bath, so it will get some abuse. I know there are do-it-yourself kits and i've heard pros and cons about them as well. I also read somewhere about using marine based paints that are self leveling and brushable.
My options seem to be, take a chance on a professional re-finish. I don't doubt there are good ones out there that would last, but I can't seem to get a good referal around here. Closest one was 3 hours away. I could spend $50-$100 on a DYI kit that might only last a few years and may not look as good, I do have some auto painting experience and a pro quality paint gun and access to a heated paint booth, if that matters. I am also interested in the marine paint that is brushable and self leveling. I could easily wet sand this tub, pull the hardware off and paint it on site.
Any other ideas? The finish itself is not bad, there are some surface scratches, but they don't show except closeup. If I could just get rid of the chalky residue, I'd probably be fine. I'm wondering about wetsanding or polishing.....