Kohler Cast iron porcelain

[AH81]

Afternoon,

I recently noticed that I have some small faint dimpling on the surface of my new kohler bellwether cast iron tub. . Been using it a few months no other issues. At the base of some dimples there is a gray under tone. Not sure if its shadowing, or the dark metal showing through the porcelain.

My question, is how thick is the porcelain on this tub?
Does anyone have any good photos showing the porcelain thickness?

 

[AH81]

Location on tub

 

[Sponsor]

 

[AH81]

Another photo

 

[Terry]

The porcelain on those tubs is thick. I don't think it's a problem. It might outlast the rest of the house.

 

[AH81]

Terry,
Thank for your response. I did put a surface scratch on the tub with Hardieboard and was able to buff it some. I still know its there, no one else does. I had called Kohler and a person on the phone said the porcelain was 0.75-1.5 mm thick. Not sure how true that statement is though, I've gotten some blatantly wrong information from Kohler before.
This seemed awfully thin, but Ive never busted one apart.

Whats your thought on Kohler's reported thickness, 0.75-1.5 mm? Im assuming someone on here has busted one apart.

 

[Terry]

The finish is pretty darn thick I think. I took a tour of the factory where they were making these things. I wasn't allowed a camera in there, but it was impressive.

 

[AH81]

Awesome Terry.

Ive used your forum for many projects and come to respect yours and this forums opinion.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. Just stressed out, trying to do it right.

Adam

 

[AH81]

I also found some photos depicting broken tubs, gives you an idea of the porcelain thickness.

 

[AH81]

Sorry to beat a dead horse
Spoke with Kohler, I find that the help you get with kohler is all dependent on who you speak with.

If anyone wants to know, Kohler's enameling process involves 4 different layers and in the end the cast iron is about 1/4" thick and the enameled porcelain is probably under 1/8th of an inch. The gentleman on the phone stated that it was probably about 3/32" thick. He had no concerns with my tub, except that it had surface blemishes.

Once again, A great forum.
Thanks.

 

[hj]

The thickness of the porcelain is irrelevant if the cast iron had a flaw so that the porcelain at that point is thinner.

 

[AH81]

The thickness of the porcelain is irrelevant if the cast iron had a flaw so that the porcelain at that point is thinner.

True but I don't think the cast iron had a flaw causing the porcelain to be thinner. This is called porcelain blistering, its just a surface defect in the porcelain.

In theory, if the cast iron had a flaw, then the porcelain would be the same thickness coating the flaw. Right?

 

[hj]

not necessarily. If the coating is "smooth" the thickness will be less over a 'hummock". In any case, if there is any doubt, I would suggest a Kohler representative looking at it to verify there is no problem, BEFORE the tub is sealed in.