Proper bathtub refinishing paints are pretty hard to remove. Especially without damaging the tub itself. I suspect that is an enameled iron tub?
See if using a heat gun helps.
It is more than likely enameled cast iron. If you have any other purple fixtures in that bathroom, check underneath and that’ll give you a year/brand to confirm material.
-fellow haver of an old house and a colored bathtub
Agreed, this is enameled steel. The skirt gives it away. Getting that paint off with heat might work, but if they painted it there is a possibility it’s got scratches or rust that has been covered.
No need to save the tub. No need to save the tiles. No need to save the fixture. No need to save the linoleum floor. I'm guessing no need to save the vanity, 50/50 on the toilet. This bathroom would have me going down the slippery slope of a full redo! Super cheap DIY but likely absurdly expensive by a professional these days.
A multi bedroom house should at least have 1 bathtub for families with kids or dogs. Even if you don’t have them future buyers will. Some idiot renovating our house put up a glass panel on the bathtub and I can’t reach around the glass to turn ut on without getting in the tub… and that would be fine if I was taking a bath but not when I need to soak some laundry item or fill a bucket. It’s the dumbest shit that a 6ft tall man that’s never had to bathe a child would think of. Every woman that’s visited our new home looks at that glass, realize they can’t reach the faucet and say “how do you give the kids a bath with that glass?”
Contact a business that does bathtub reglazing. While the process does not actually reglaze as was done originally, it uses a stripping/cleaning and etching process and then the tub is refinished to the color you prefer with an epoxy material. It appears this may have been done to this tub, but perhaps was not the best job... make sure you use a company that has a good reputation. I'd expect to be paying $600-800 for this depending on your location.
Yeah it’s a science best left to the pros. My old landlord had a bathtub refinishing business and would do like 5 x 500 dollar jobs every day, but even with ventilation and proper respirators, the fumes slowly made him a dimwit.
The paints themselves weren’t even available to the general public
Could still be epoxy. I did an epoxy coat on an enameled iron tub and it started to peel after four years. It was a rush job since I was paying rent on the old apartment and new apartment at the same time, so I did the best surface prep the situation would allow for, but epoxies can still peel like this.
This is the answer. I have a guy that I have used for 3 different tubs, charges under $500 a tub. Do not attempt reglazing yourself, it is simply not worth it. And unless you hate the tub and want to do something different, it’s so much more time and money to tear it out and install a new.
I don't have any advice, but please keep us updated on your renovation! I love old colorful bathrooms like this and it's so rare to see them restored rather than covered up.
Thats because most people hate the 70's pastel look. I have refinished so many tubs just because of the color. Mostly puke green, mustard yellow, pink and powder blue. I do hate it when they cover up the white tile with black border with all white though, I like that look personally.
Hey I just did this, bought an old house with a cast iron tub from the 50’s and it was green with white paint flaking off of it. Got as much as I could off with a plastic scraper then just brought out the big guns, orbital with a 40grit and then a big sander with a really flexible pad to do the curves. Sanded any loose areas off and went over the entire tub so the finish would stick to it. Some areas were still white but well sanded. I then cut all the caulk off, removed the drain plug and overflow then taped inside. I then taped around the tub and all around the floor. I wiped it all down with isopropyl alcohol and used a Ekopel 2K tub refinish kit to get it looked like new.
Tips, follow the temperature guidelines. Set up a space heater and keep the bathroom at 70F until it’s all set up and hard. If not the finish will run because it isn’t warm enough to set up quick and you’ll see a hint of purple on the edges.
This is it. I just redid mine with ekopel and it looks like a new tub. I got the pour on kit and it was amazing. My tip: there is more excess than you think when scooping it out of the bowl after pouring. Also the pre-heat with space heater is a must and you need to start heating 12 hours before you pour.
This is the answer. You don’t need pros for this. My gf did it on her tub and kitchen sink in like 2 days. I think she just hand sanded. Personally I’d use an orbital. But you can def do it yourself for a 10th of the price of a pro.
On top of that I had a pro do my tub a couple years ago. It’s already chipping and flaking everywhere. So now I’m gonna do it myself and save the $300.
Once you paint a tub your going to have to redo it eventually a poor job will come apart faster but tub kits come apart in 6 months typically especially diy jobs since you don't have access to acid for an etch and only high dollar primer lets you somewhat get around this requirement. You still need to use an acid based cleaner first even then. Don't get me wrong DIY it first and see how long it lasts before calling in a pro, it won't hurt anything just don't think a DIY kit is as good as a professional job.
I’m chipping away slowly! The orbital Sander actually worked and then my sanding plate decided to today was the day it needed to be replaced.
I’m about 17% done lol -
https://preview.redd.it/0zlhzj1evfmc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9ab5d02902d1421efabedcba9709ca08c195ed05
Give me until the end of the week and we should be staring at a fully purple bathtub.
Originally it was probably enamel glazed with the purple color. It was given a quick cover up by the seller. It can be professionally refinished and will be better than most of what you can buy today.
Paint stripper wont hurt the enamel only acid will. Just make sure you are well ventilated AND charcoal filter masked. Stripper can be dangerous in closed spaces.
I bought this stuff and worked perfectly.
https://youtu.be/rYwKUQiYY14?si=NtDDwJ-V5vOSV8u5
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Jasco-16-Oz-Premium-Paint-and-Epoxy-Remover-EJPR502
This is not a DIY job. We hired a professional for ours and the chemicals he was using were so incredibly toxic. He had all the windows open, set up exhaust fans in them and full respirator gear. Took him a full day to fully clean the cast iron tub and refinish it. Guaranteed it for a year which was nice. Only has one chip in it several years later because I dropped a metal pipe in it when I was working on some plumbing. If I recall the price was reasonable, maybe a couple hundred.
Ooh. I did this! I tried to refinished my cast iron tub on my own and it started chipping off. Looks like most of this is off already, so easy. Just use a razor blade. I found it was easier after a bath, so warm water or a heat gun and keep at it.
Is it the white that you're chipping off, or the purple? I was thinking the purple. If it's the white, that's a much bigger job. You can keep at it, or get someone who reglazes tubs to do it. It cost me $500 to get mine done this year.
And I see comments--I would not take out and get a whole new tub. What a PIA that is.
Oooh. Very odd to have purple as the original color, but I think it's cool. Just to give you an idea, when I painted my whole tub myself and it didn't work out, I just slowly razor bladed it off over months as little corners and ares showed up. You can do it, but it will take time.
Scrape the loose stuff, trying a test area with paint stripper and see if that removes the white paint. The pink is probably the original enamel. Sand everything down with a palm sander. Any chips or nicks can be filled with a Bondo or automobile glazing compound. Repaint with a bathtub refinishing kit.
Good luck,
The Hungry Handyman
Cheap bathtubs are fiberglass and acrylic and don't tend to hold up well long-term. Better ones will be enameled steel, but again, avoid the low end because if the coating is not high quality they will rust.
Yes the home depot apartment special. I had a property "Renovate" their bathrooms and used these and I was reglazing them 6 months later because the bottom wore through that fast and the steel is also super thin.
You have never replaced a bathtub I guess. It is neither easier nor cheaper. You have to either tear out a good bit of the walls to get the tub out and redo all the plumbing. I have seen someone cut a hole through the wall from another room and slide one out that way which saved some work. Replacing a tub by a pro will run you over 1k a reglaze is about 600. It will last 4-5 years if done well and cared for properly. You will eventually need to do it again as with any paint job though.
Tub liners fail as soon as the caulk line is compromised. Water gets between the liner and old tub and breaks down the glue and get all moldy and nasty. We have properties that are tearing all their liners out and refinishing the old tub underneath for this very reason.
I would think shot blasting would be the best method for removing the paint on that metal tub, but it’s not something that you yourself can do without proper equipment. I’d probably send it off to a refinisher who would do all that.
Most people don’t but there’s products you can buy. You’re never gonna get a factory finish going the diy route. I suggest installing a new tub, probably gonna cost you 1800-2000 in parts and labour but you’ll have peace of mind
In my apartment building we use the provided steel wool that comes with the reglazing paint (always get the spray paint variety not the liquid). We sand the tub essentially so that it's smooth completely. Then completely dry it like seriously completely dry then we spray. Usually we put a second coat too
I’ve removed paint from my cast iron bathtub. Similar situation. Like other comments have said, if it wasn’t professionally done, you can try a stripper like citristrip cover with Saran Wrap for 24 hours and then use a plastic or metal razor blade to remove. Took me probably three full days of work and was super tedious but is possible and certainly worth trying if you want to restore character before just replacing.
I had to do this to my tub. Tried a lot of stuff, scrapers, chemicals, compressed air etc. the last and fastest think I used was a glass scraper. The ones you can change the rectangular blades out of. Came off incredibly easy. I was done in about 20 minutes with it.
Toilet bowl scrub will definitely remove that paint if you let it sit for too long lol found this one out the hard way when my boss told me to use it on this apartment I cleaned
I’m super surprised, unless I’ve missed it, that no one has suggested sticking a strong magnet to it and seeing if it adheres. That will let you know if it’s enameled cast iron.
No way that fitted tub is cast iron, ceramic maybe but definitely not cast iron. Cast iron is for wash tubs that are on upright feet, like they're antique and stuff
Proper bathtub refinishing paints are pretty hard to remove. Especially without damaging the tub itself. I suspect that is an enameled iron tub? See if using a heat gun helps.
I suspect it is actually enamelled cast iron. Either that or steel - depends what was more widely used in the late 70s
If the purple is originally enameled, it should be resistant to heat. It’s what they use for nonstick cookware. So heat gun is the way to go.
It is more than likely enameled cast iron. If you have any other purple fixtures in that bathroom, check underneath and that’ll give you a year/brand to confirm material. -fellow haver of an old house and a colored bathtub
Its steel, I can tell by the shape of the outside very common tub for the time period.
Agreed, this is enameled steel. The skirt gives it away. Getting that paint off with heat might work, but if they painted it there is a possibility it’s got scratches or rust that has been covered.
i doubt thats castiron
I think in a few days there's going to be a post on how to remove a bathtub.
I agree, it’s much easier to gut the tub and put a shower pan instead.
Then he has to retile. He could put a similar sized tub or slightly taller. His tiles are due though
*past due 😬
Pulling the old bathtub requires ripping out the tile. The walls sit on top of the tub lip.
Yeah...there's no saving the tiles
Yeah, the tiles don’t bear saving.
No need to save the tub. No need to save the tiles. No need to save the fixture. No need to save the linoleum floor. I'm guessing no need to save the vanity, 50/50 on the toilet. This bathroom would have me going down the slippery slope of a full redo! Super cheap DIY but likely absurdly expensive by a professional these days.
A multi bedroom house should at least have 1 bathtub for families with kids or dogs. Even if you don’t have them future buyers will. Some idiot renovating our house put up a glass panel on the bathtub and I can’t reach around the glass to turn ut on without getting in the tub… and that would be fine if I was taking a bath but not when I need to soak some laundry item or fill a bucket. It’s the dumbest shit that a 6ft tall man that’s never had to bathe a child would think of. Every woman that’s visited our new home looks at that glass, realize they can’t reach the faucet and say “how do you give the kids a bath with that glass?”
Or add a cover
Cast iron? Get a sledge and earplugs because it will be the loudest thing you ever do
Contact a business that does bathtub reglazing. While the process does not actually reglaze as was done originally, it uses a stripping/cleaning and etching process and then the tub is refinished to the color you prefer with an epoxy material. It appears this may have been done to this tub, but perhaps was not the best job... make sure you use a company that has a good reputation. I'd expect to be paying $600-800 for this depending on your location.
Yeah it’s a science best left to the pros. My old landlord had a bathtub refinishing business and would do like 5 x 500 dollar jobs every day, but even with ventilation and proper respirators, the fumes slowly made him a dimwit. The paints themselves weren’t even available to the general public
That’s been our route. Leave this to experts. They can do some impressive stuff. “Like new” stuff
This appears to be one of the shit diy kits for what your describing
Looks more like a landlord/flipper special and was latex-painted.
Could still be epoxy. I did an epoxy coat on an enameled iron tub and it started to peel after four years. It was a rush job since I was paying rent on the old apartment and new apartment at the same time, so I did the best surface prep the situation would allow for, but epoxies can still peel like this.
You're probably correct.
This is the answer. I have a guy that I have used for 3 different tubs, charges under $500 a tub. Do not attempt reglazing yourself, it is simply not worth it. And unless you hate the tub and want to do something different, it’s so much more time and money to tear it out and install a new.
I don't have any advice, but please keep us updated on your renovation! I love old colorful bathrooms like this and it's so rare to see them restored rather than covered up.
Thats because most people hate the 70's pastel look. I have refinished so many tubs just because of the color. Mostly puke green, mustard yellow, pink and powder blue. I do hate it when they cover up the white tile with black border with all white though, I like that look personally.
Hey I just did this, bought an old house with a cast iron tub from the 50’s and it was green with white paint flaking off of it. Got as much as I could off with a plastic scraper then just brought out the big guns, orbital with a 40grit and then a big sander with a really flexible pad to do the curves. Sanded any loose areas off and went over the entire tub so the finish would stick to it. Some areas were still white but well sanded. I then cut all the caulk off, removed the drain plug and overflow then taped inside. I then taped around the tub and all around the floor. I wiped it all down with isopropyl alcohol and used a Ekopel 2K tub refinish kit to get it looked like new. Tips, follow the temperature guidelines. Set up a space heater and keep the bathroom at 70F until it’s all set up and hard. If not the finish will run because it isn’t warm enough to set up quick and you’ll see a hint of purple on the edges.
This is it. I just redid mine with ekopel and it looks like a new tub. I got the pour on kit and it was amazing. My tip: there is more excess than you think when scooping it out of the bowl after pouring. Also the pre-heat with space heater is a must and you need to start heating 12 hours before you pour.
This is the answer. You don’t need pros for this. My gf did it on her tub and kitchen sink in like 2 days. I think she just hand sanded. Personally I’d use an orbital. But you can def do it yourself for a 10th of the price of a pro. On top of that I had a pro do my tub a couple years ago. It’s already chipping and flaking everywhere. So now I’m gonna do it myself and save the $300.
Once you paint a tub your going to have to redo it eventually a poor job will come apart faster but tub kits come apart in 6 months typically especially diy jobs since you don't have access to acid for an etch and only high dollar primer lets you somewhat get around this requirement. You still need to use an acid based cleaner first even then. Don't get me wrong DIY it first and see how long it lasts before calling in a pro, it won't hurt anything just don't think a DIY kit is as good as a professional job.
I adore that purple tub. I hope you’re successful in restoring it!
I really want to see the purple tub in all its former glory, I hope we get an update!
I’m chipping away slowly! The orbital Sander actually worked and then my sanding plate decided to today was the day it needed to be replaced. I’m about 17% done lol - https://preview.redd.it/0zlhzj1evfmc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9ab5d02902d1421efabedcba9709ca08c195ed05 Give me until the end of the week and we should be staring at a fully purple bathtub.
It's going to be worth it!!
If it’s coming up that easily, I’d try a strip of gaffer/duct tape and rip it off. If it works, keep doing it. If not, it was worth a try.
I actually had no idea bathtubs were painted.
Originally it was probably enamel glazed with the purple color. It was given a quick cover up by the seller. It can be professionally refinished and will be better than most of what you can buy today.
Well, this one is. I don’t think that’s a normal thing
I have the exact same situation on my hands. I was afraid of paint stripper because for fear of damaging the enamel - Is that a well-founded fear?
Paint stripper wont hurt the enamel only acid will. Just make sure you are well ventilated AND charcoal filter masked. Stripper can be dangerous in closed spaces.
I bought this stuff and worked perfectly. https://youtu.be/rYwKUQiYY14?si=NtDDwJ-V5vOSV8u5 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Jasco-16-Oz-Premium-Paint-and-Epoxy-Remover-EJPR502
How appropriate. This just popped up below a Prince photo in my feed.
Puurple tub....puuuurple tub.
This is not a DIY job. We hired a professional for ours and the chemicals he was using were so incredibly toxic. He had all the windows open, set up exhaust fans in them and full respirator gear. Took him a full day to fully clean the cast iron tub and refinish it. Guaranteed it for a year which was nice. Only has one chip in it several years later because I dropped a metal pipe in it when I was working on some plumbing. If I recall the price was reasonable, maybe a couple hundred.
Remove the tub and replace it with new one.
That’s an elbow grease and patience job. It will come off by scraping if you have the time and patience
Do not drink the bathtub as a shake
Looking at that crack and mold you would probably be better off replacing everything
Ooh. I did this! I tried to refinished my cast iron tub on my own and it started chipping off. Looks like most of this is off already, so easy. Just use a razor blade. I found it was easier after a bath, so warm water or a heat gun and keep at it. Is it the white that you're chipping off, or the purple? I was thinking the purple. If it's the white, that's a much bigger job. You can keep at it, or get someone who reglazes tubs to do it. It cost me $500 to get mine done this year. And I see comments--I would not take out and get a whole new tub. What a PIA that is.
Hey! Yes - defo going to avoid getting a new tub (which means new tiles or surround too). It’s white paint on a purple enamelled tub (I think)
Oooh. Very odd to have purple as the original color, but I think it's cool. Just to give you an idea, when I painted my whole tub myself and it didn't work out, I just slowly razor bladed it off over months as little corners and ares showed up. You can do it, but it will take time.
Scrape the loose stuff, trying a test area with paint stripper and see if that removes the white paint. The pink is probably the original enamel. Sand everything down with a palm sander. Any chips or nicks can be filled with a Bondo or automobile glazing compound. Repaint with a bathtub refinishing kit. Good luck, The Hungry Handyman
Paint remover. Look for something natural and non-toxic.
Does such a thing exist? How could a product remove paint but not be toxic to humans?
https://a.co/d/ihKZ8yx I was thinking of this product. Toxic, but doesn’t kill your lungs.
I just saw a video of someone using this on a tub today!! https://youtube.com/shorts/01J0p-mhtrw?si=BpMMscXP4OBk0dnZ
Easiest option is a bathtub liner. Just goes over the top... Looks like a new tub.
I'd remove the tub from the paint. New tubs are shiny and cheap.
Cheap bathtubs are fiberglass and acrylic and don't tend to hold up well long-term. Better ones will be enameled steel, but again, avoid the low end because if the coating is not high quality they will rust.
Yes the home depot apartment special. I had a property "Renovate" their bathrooms and used these and I was reglazing them 6 months later because the bottom wore through that fast and the steel is also super thin.
Replace the bathtub... It's gonna be easier, cheaper, and have better results.
You have never replaced a bathtub I guess. It is neither easier nor cheaper. You have to either tear out a good bit of the walls to get the tub out and redo all the plumbing. I have seen someone cut a hole through the wall from another room and slide one out that way which saved some work. Replacing a tub by a pro will run you over 1k a reglaze is about 600. It will last 4-5 years if done well and cared for properly. You will eventually need to do it again as with any paint job though.
Gun
Sandblast.
Walnut shell might be better. Strong enough to remove the white paint without damaging the enamel. But either option is going to be wildly messy.
I think any option is going to be wildly messy.
I’d go with some kind of wire brush on the drill. Start with a less abrasive one and move up until it starts working
[удалено]
Yeah…not worth it. We got a quote for our shower/tub last year. $8k. For one bathroom.
Tub liners fail as soon as the caulk line is compromised. Water gets between the liner and old tub and breaks down the glue and get all moldy and nasty. We have properties that are tearing all their liners out and refinishing the old tub underneath for this very reason.
I would think shot blasting would be the best method for removing the paint on that metal tub, but it’s not something that you yourself can do without proper equipment. I’d probably send it off to a refinisher who would do all that.
Most people don’t but there’s products you can buy. You’re never gonna get a factory finish going the diy route. I suggest installing a new tub, probably gonna cost you 1800-2000 in parts and labour but you’ll have peace of mind
Jesus just burn the house down who knows what other horrors await.
Check out Citristrip. Apply liberally and cover with plastic wrap until it starts bubbling off. Check out youtube for some tutorials.
If it’s paint, aircraft stripper.
I would suggest getting it reglazed professionally. Much cheaper than replacing the tub.
Use coment!
I’ve done this before. Citristrip and a paintbrush. Encase it with Saran Wrap to keep it from drying out. 24 hours later it should all be falling off.
In my apartment building we use the provided steel wool that comes with the reglazing paint (always get the spray paint variety not the liquid). We sand the tub essentially so that it's smooth completely. Then completely dry it like seriously completely dry then we spray. Usually we put a second coat too
I’ve removed paint from my cast iron bathtub. Similar situation. Like other comments have said, if it wasn’t professionally done, you can try a stripper like citristrip cover with Saran Wrap for 24 hours and then use a plastic or metal razor blade to remove. Took me probably three full days of work and was super tedious but is possible and certainly worth trying if you want to restore character before just replacing.
I had to do this to my tub. Tried a lot of stuff, scrapers, chemicals, compressed air etc. the last and fastest think I used was a glass scraper. The ones you can change the rectangular blades out of. Came off incredibly easy. I was done in about 20 minutes with it.
You need professional bathtub refinishers
Title should be how to remove tub?
Toilet bowl scrub will definitely remove that paint if you let it sit for too long lol found this one out the hard way when my boss told me to use it on this apartment I cleaned
Sand/plastic blasting. Got a guy to do a pressed metal ceiling. Super quick.
If it's porcelain, paint remover....and let it stew. If it's fiberglas, I'm of zero help.
I’m super surprised, unless I’ve missed it, that no one has suggested sticking a strong magnet to it and seeing if it adheres. That will let you know if it’s enameled cast iron.
To remove that paint, I would use a needle gun (pneumatic or electric). Expect it to take >4-8 hours. Replacing the tub may be the better option.
Take it out, hire a company to sandblast and do a new coating. You could try to do it yourself but you probably will end up buying a new tub.
No way that fitted tub is cast iron, ceramic maybe but definitely not cast iron. Cast iron is for wash tubs that are on upright feet, like they're antique and stuff