Need opinions on patching/repairing fiberglass tub surround

14 years ago

I am once again going through the thought process of updating my second/guest/hallway bath in my 2bd/2ba condo. The tub/shower surround in there is actually in good condition considering it is 25 years old. I don't use this bathroom much and I can tell by the looks of it that the previous owners didn't use it much either.

Initially I was planning on replacing the tub and putting in a jetted tub. But that would be a lot of work and expensive and I don't even know if I'd be able to get this in the bathroom without tearing down part of a wall...more work. So that Idea is out.

I then considered the re-bath thing. One reason I'd like to do this is to kind of 'hide' the current surround. I'm 6' and when I take a shower in there, I am taller than the top of the surround. I don't like how short it seems, at least to me, I think it should go up higher. Also, I don't like the sound of it, when you hit the walls, it sounds hollow and fake. I also don't like the odd cut out shelf/soap holder grab bar thing, this just looks odd to me. If I were to do this, I would like something that goes up to the ceiling (8') and possibly a cap as well. But, looking around, I see this is a pretty pricey option and with mixed results. I honestly think I would be better off replacing the tub and putting in something nice with tiles.

I then thought I'd have it resurfaced or reglazed or whatever its called. But seeing the mixed reviews on here and other places, I'm thinking that may just make it worse if the job isn't done right - a waste of time and $$$. The reason I thought about doing this is because there are shower doors on this tub. I plan on removing these and putting up a nice curtain (easier to clean, update, etc.). This would obviously leave some holes where the frame is attached that would need to be patched. There are also a couple of small surface chips (smaller than a pinky finger nail) and a small surface crack in 1 corner. All these chips and cracks are surface only and do not go all the way through - although the holes from the doors are probably different. Besides this, it is in good condition.

So, I am now thinking to just remove the doors and find a decent repair/patch kit and do the job myself. I see a few online, but don't know what works or doesn't. I've also seen some posts elsewhere recommending Bondo or other body filler. I'm not so concerned about the little chips, but I do want to get the holes from the door removal filled and at least looking decent. So, is this something I can do on my own? Also, any suggestions for other things I should consider besides what I've already mentioned?

My plan for this bath is just an update. Replace vanity, vanity top, faucet, mirror, light, toilet, remove linoleum floor and put tiles most likely. I'm thinking in the $3,000-4,000 range depending on what I do with the tub. Bathroom is 6'x12'. This is in a condo, so no gutting everything, knocking down walls, etc.

Thank You!!!

My boring bathroom:

{{gwi:1394367}}

Tub:

{{gwi:1494400}}

Small chips:

{{gwi:1499491}}

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Comments (7)

paul21
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
why don't you take out the doors , patch the holes with whatever you find that will work with the surround material BUT when you hang your shower curtain, which I assume you will do with a tension rod, move it slightly inward so that the patches are protected ? I don't know how enthusiastic you get in the shower, flinging water every which way , or what, but a bit of bondo and a bit of care, and I'm sure it will be fine
californiaplaya
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I don't get enthusiastic in the shower at all - get in, get out, get on with the day. But I do want to do this the proper way. I don't want something thats going to look ghetto and I have to adjust the curtain to hide the work. It doesn't have to necessarily match perfectly, but I do want to do a decent job of it.

Thanks!
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Fiberglass tubs are made exactly the same way as fiberglass boats or car bodies. Believe it or not, the first step of manufacturing a tub, boat or car body is to paint it, then they build the body part. Sounds strange but thats true. The begin with a mold of the finished product. The first step is to spray "Gel Coat" which is the finished color material on the inside of the mold, then they build it up with layers of fiberglass cloth, matting or roving (a loose chopped fiberglass material) and resin until they get the desired thickness. Once they have the thickness the mold is set aside to cure. When the curing is complete they attach a high pressure air hose to a nozzle on the bottom of the mold and inject air into the mold. The air entering the mold lifts the finished piece out of the mold and ready to be shipped or moved to the next point in the assembly process. In is doubtful if you really need any real fiberglass repair. If you examine the damage site carefully you will notice that the finished gelcoat is about 1/16" to 1/8" thick. If you go to an auto parts store or a marine supply store you can find a "Gel Coat" repair kit. Most Gel Coat in the repair kits is white and they give you some pigments that you can add to match your color. You can fill the spot with the gel coat, then trowel it even with the surrounding surface and allow it to dry. When its dry you buff it out with the super fine emery paper in the kit and you should be able to create an invisible repair. If you would like to see the process done a couple times before taking it on for yourself, go by a local boat dealer and explain what your doing and ask if you can watch their mechanic make a gel coat repair.
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californiaplaya
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I don't get enthusiastic in the shower at all - get in, get out, get on with the day. But I do want to do this the proper way. I don't want something thats going to look ghetto and I have to adjust the curtain to hide the work. It doesn't have to necessarily match perfectly, but I do want to do a decent job of it.

Thanks!
paul21
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I don't mean that you should slap a patch on, I would think it would be realtivly simple to match color, sheen and texture, talk to a auto body guy re that. I think I had you mixed up with another poster who was worried about leakage. Sorry
californiaplaya
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
So I got an Elmer's Fiberglass repair kit and some white appliance enamel repair. Hope this works to touch up this tub. Although I'm going to have to wait a while till the roommate is gone for a couple of days to do this. I'll then remove the doors, patch the holes left by doing this, cover up the chips with the enamel, and find a nice shower curtain and rod.

Is there anything else I should consider doing with this tub? I'm really don't like how short the top of the wall stops. Would there be a clean way to extend this so it goes up higher or to the ceiling, but seamlessly? But I guess this takes me back to my first post and what I decided not to do and that is a liner. But it wouldn't really be a liner because it wouldn't go over the existing, just extend it.

Also, what are my options for replacing the faucet? I do not have access to the valves to replace the whole thing, so I think this somewhat limits me to what I can do. When I bought the place, I replaced the spigot, knob, round plate behind the knob, shower arm and head. So everything visible was new, and the valves work fine. But I just replaced it with the same Price Pfister replacement parts. Are there different designs/styles I can use, or am I basically stuck with this? Keep in mind this is original and 25 years old. Also, I will eventually be replacing the vanity, top, and faucet. I would like for the bath and sink faucets to match, but don't want a chrome sink faucet. Is there any hope here?

Thanks!!!
kaelkriver
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Californiaplaya

I will be anxious to learn how your project progresses, as we are thinking of doing exactly the same thing with our 2nd bath. Remove the doors and just use a shower curtain. IÂm especially interested in how you repair the holes left by the door removal. ThatÂs been our dilemma.

We also have a camper with a shower enclosure. Now it has "little plugs" that hide the holes where the enclosure walls meets the outside wall, giving it a finished look. Did you happen to run across anything like this in your search? WeÂve looked but had no success; IÂm not even sure where to look for them. But maybe something like this would work for you too?

As I mentioned above, I will be interested to hear how your project goes, so please share your progress. I know IÂm hoping I can learn from you.

Good luck!

K
californiaplaya
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I may soon find out K. The roommate is going away for the weekend. If I'm good and get my homework done before then, this may be my weekend project. If not, its probably going to have to wait until the holiday weekend. Due to the amount of time this stuff takes to cure, I don't want to rush it, and the tub usually gets used everyday. I'll keep you posted!

Need opinions on patching/repairing fiberglass tub surround

Comments (7)

paul21

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Need opinions on patching/repairing fiberglass tub surround

Comments (7)

paul21

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paul21

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