Solder drop stuck to tub.

[MurrayB]

Not sure how this one happened, but some how I managed to drop some hot solder into my bath tub, and it is stuck like a champion. I have pretty much ignored this problem for the last few months, but it is really starting to drive me nuts.

The bath tub is metal, but not the expensive kind, the $130 Boonz Industries type.

I have tried scraping it off first with some hard plastic, and next with a flat tip screw driver, but nothing seems to be working. Any ideas?

 

[Gary Swart]

The solder probably burned itself into the tub finish. I doubt that it can be removed without leaving a burn hole through to the metal. You might then be able to minimize the ugly appearance with a bit of epoxy, but it will always show to some degree.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Jadnashua]

It's fused to the finish. Popping it off will leave a depression and might take some extra with it.

 

[hj]

solder

If you pry it out, you will probably remove the "paint" with it, since that is about what the tub's finish is.

 

[Doherty Plumbing]

And once the paint/enamel starts to chip it won't stop and you will start to get rusting.

If you're really worried about it paint it the same colour as the tub lol.

 

[MurrayB]

Solder in the tub

Thank you for all of the help. I was thinking this would be the situation when it didn't come up easily.

 

[Cass]

Get som nail polish that is the same color...coat it a few times and be done with it...next time you solder place a rag under the area you are working on...

 

[Jimbo]

Get som nail polish that is the same color...coat it a few times and be done with it...next time you solder place a rag under the area you are working on...

That is a good tip. You could even get some 100 grit sandpaper, and if the glob sticks up too much, carefully sand it to smooth it out some. Don't scuff the tub if possible. Then get a porcelain touch up paint bottle to color it.

 

[Jadnashua]

If it was porcelain, it probably would have just popped off...glass melts at a much higher temp than typical plumbing solder.

 

[NHmaster]

It's fused to the finish. Popping it off will leave a depression and might take some extra with it.

Yep. Popping it out will leave a depression and cause another of the same Next time, have drop cloth, will travel.

How come most lessons learned have to cost a lot?

 

[hj]

solder

If you heat it with a solder gun, just swipe the soft solder off with a rag. It will cool instantly so it will not readhere to the tub.

 

[Cass]

Personally I would leave the solder...if you do manage to get it off the tubs finish may come off with it and then you may have to deal with a tub that begins to rust...I would rather have a spot of solder than a rusty spot...