Fiberglass barrels are durable, but can break and crack over time, causing leaks that can affect the house. When damaged, you do not need to replace the bathtub; Most damage to fiberglass tubs can be repaired by homeowners with repair kits and commercially packaged tools.
The things you need :
- Bathroom cleaners
- Sponge
- Soft dry cloth
- Safety glasses
- Mask from dust
- Flat razors or small sharp spatulas.
- Electric rotating hobby tool (optional)
- Disposable gloves
- Fiberglass repair kit
- Disposable paper cups
- Sandpaper, 80 grits
- Sandpaper, 180 items
- Wood applicator
- Small brush
- Polishing cloth
Tips
If you can determine the brand of tub you have, you can contact the manufacturer or distributor to get the appropriate color repair kit. For example, white with manufacturers sometimes shade white is different from other manufacturers.
- Ventilate the area. Clean the area around the gap with a cleanser and sponge.
- Don't wear safety glasses and dust masks. Remove all fiberglass pieces that might be detached; You can use a razor or sharp spatula to remove the scales. Be careful not to pry under the fiberglass layer that is sturdy with the blade; Scrape flakes and loose chips. If the cracks are deep and wide, you can use a hobby type tool to quickly clean the exfoliated area.
- Sand the cracks and the surrounding area at least 1/4 inch outside the repair area with 80 grit sandpaper. Some repair kits are equipped with sandpaper and some are not. Flatten all fiberglass shavings, rough edges or imperfections until the area feels soft to the touch. Clean the area with a soft dry cloth.
- Don't wear disposable gloves. Mix putty stuffing from the kit in a paper cup. There is a mixture of fillers and there may be a separate top layer mixture depending on the brand of repair kit. Using a spatula or applicator rod, apply the mixed putty to the gap in the tub, filling it completely. Flatten the surface with the stick. Let the putty dry; Check the kit instructions for the time needed to dry.
- Use dry sandpaper 180 grits to soften dry filler putty. Sand the area just outside the repair area to allow smooth and mixed repairs. Clean the area with a soft cloth to remove dust. If the kit is equipped with a coat of paint, apply the paint with a small brush. After all applications are dry, use a protective cloth to soften the repair.
