How Do I Repair A Scratch In A White Fiberglass Tub

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We received this question from a reader:

We have a fiberglass tub, and 7 years ago when we moved into our brand new house with make new tub, there was a chip or crack in a couple places of the tub, and so the builder "stock-still" those spots, merely actually they concluded up looking worse, and have seriously yellowed over the years. What should we have done instead of letting him "sand downwardly" the cracks? They were like hairline scratches, rather than deep cracks, merely his "repair" really made information technology worse. Perhaps your advice will help others earlier they go the route we did. — 50.G.

Following are some tips for fixing fiberglass tub scratches…

Uh Oh, The Fiberglass Is Scratched!

Cracks and scratches in fiberglass tubs are not unusual.

We've all seen dwelling house remodeling shows on TV.

With all the clay, defoliation, and transportation in & out of materials, the possibility that something volition get dropped, bumped into, or scraped against your shiny new fiberglass bathtub is a real concern.

This is made worse by the fact that commonly the jumpsuit tub unit must be installed beginning — before the drywall, earlier the flooring, and before all the plumbing fixtures. All it takes is i small slip and you've got a gouge requiring some serious fiberglass tub repair.

Fortunately, if done properly a fiberglass repair can await every bit good equally new and should provide many years of trouble-free service.

How To Practice Fiberglass Tub Repairs

Go along in mind that a fiberglass tub isn't an one-time piece of lawn furniture that can be fixed with a can of Rustoleum spray pigment.

For a fiberglass tub repair to last (and blend in properly), you must use materials designed specifically for repairing fiberglass.

When fiberglass products are molded, the color of the item is mixed with the gel coat. This means when it comes out of the mold, the final exterior end was the first layer placed in the mold.

No paint is applied. Frankly, paint won't hold up to the surroundings that your fiberglass tub will be placed in.

Whatever repair that amounts to sanding down the scratch or gouge, and spraying paint over the damage will non last. It may wait presentable for awhile, just chlorine cleansers will fade or discolor the fiberglass repair, and in no time information technology will look worse than the original impairment.

A proper fiberglass repair requires the use of a fiberglass tub repair kit containing fillers designed specifically for the task.

The key to success is the fact that the acrylic colour will exist mixed into the filler, not practical on acme of the repair.

More astringent damage that might happen over fourth dimension — such as cracks that become all the manner through the tub or even holes — can all be repaired. Fiberglass is a very versatile product that is much easier to repair than virtually other edifice products.

Fiberglass mats can likewise be practical under the bottom of a damaged tub floor to reinforce an expanse that wasn't properly supported.

Totally refinishing an aged bathtub tin can render it to similar-new condition. Maybe you're a chip tired of the pink colored tub that'south been in your dwelling house for ages. Updating the colour with a new gel glaze infused with a more current paint will make your bathtub look like new.

Here's a video that shows the entire bathtub refinishing process:

So, when that first scratch on your fiberglass tub happens (and just similar with a new car, information technology always does) don't pause out the sledge hammer and commencement demolition.

Consider repairing or refinishing your fiberglass tub. Information technology's a whole lot cheaper than remodeling!

I've been involved in RVing for 50 years now — including camping, edifice, repairing, and fifty-fifty selling RVs. I've owned, used, and repaired virtually every course and style of RV ever fabricated. I do all of my own repair work. My other interests include cooking, living with an crumbling domestic dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. If y'all tin combine a grease monkey with a calculator geek, throw in a touch on of information nut and system freak, combined with a little flake of storyteller, you've got a good idea of who I am.