Photo by @KimKelly on Twenty20.com
Fiberglass is an excellent strong and durable alternative to ceramic or metal bathtubs. Bathtubs with weak support or those exposed to heavy use and abuse can develop unsightly cracks over time. If left untreated, these fine cracks can develop into larger or deeper cracks affecting the walls or floor of the tub. A good fiberglass repair kit will allow you to repair these cracks before they become a major problem.
First of all, you should clean the area of the crack with a cloth or sponge impregnated with household cleaner. Rinse with water and dry with a cloth or towel.
Lightly sand the area around the fine crack with fine-grit sandpaper. Brush off sanding dust with a cloth.
Next, paint the crack with the fiberglass adhesive or bonding agent from your fiberglass repair kit. Use the brush that comes with the kit or a small brush that you have.
Cover the inside of the crack and a 1-inch gap around the damaged section. Allow bonding agent to dry according to package directions.
Proceed to fill the crack with fiberglass caulk. Apply with a putty knife, then remove excess from the surface with a putty knife to remove sealant around the crack. Let the putty dry completely.
Sand the patched area with a fine-grit sandpaper. Continue sanding until the patched area is smooth equal to the surface of the tub. Wipe off sanding dust with a cloth or sponge.
Mix up the epoxy gel coat from your repair kit. Use a brush to apply the gel coat to the patched area. Paint the crack itself, as well as a 2-inch section around the crack.
Cut a piece of fiberglass cloth to fit the painted area. Press the cloth into the wet epoxy gel coat with your hands. Gently run the spatula across the fiberglass cloth to remove air bubbles and make sure the cloth is smooth and flat against the wall of the tub.
Paint the fiberglass cloth with a second coat of epoxy gel coat.
Apply the finish coat or sealer that came with your repair kit with a brush.
implements you will need
Household cleaner
Cloth or sponge
Sandpaper
Fiberglass Repair Kit
Pair of scissors
Paintbrush
Warning
Open the windows in your home and turn on fans to ventilate the room when mixing epoxy or other chemicals.
If you want some help to fix your bathtub just contact us.
We are New Refinishing.
