skip to main content

Cast Iron Tub restoration/ re enameling?

15 years ago

Hello,

I've posted a few times about our house- an 1898 colonial revival/american foursquare, we are working on our kitchen and our bathroom is the next much needed item on our list. The claw foot tub is amazing, but has some rust spots, should we just leave it as it is, or are there good products to do a restoration? I realize to truly re-enamel it we would need to remove it from our house and bring it somewhere, which I really don't want to do at this point in time. Our sink isn't in terrible shape, but it isn't pretty and I'm interested in knowing the same idea for this- would we make it better or worse trying to restore it? Finally, is this something we can do ourselves?

I can post photos if that would help-

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

joyce_6333
15 years ago
Autumn: here is a "before" pic of our old sink. The next picture shows an "after". I had Perma Glaze restore. It cost about $170, if I remember right. They would have done it either on site, or at their shop. I chose to have them take it to their shop just to get it out of the way during renovations. I never even considered doing it myself. I thought $170 was a pretty good deal. We've been using it for 8 years, and the new finish has been perfect.

Here is a link that might be useful:
0
mainegrower
15 years ago
There are companies which will refinish tubs on site using sand blasting, acid etching and various refinish options such as epoxy. I don't think tub refinishing is really a DIY project. There are kits on the market designed for homeowner use, but I don't think they're likely to work very well for the inexperienced or last very long.
0
Related Discussions
acrylic or cast iron tub?
Q
Comments (8)
I think I will probably go with the villager for upstairs. We had a memoirs tub we probably should have saved, but the whole thing went away when we decided to remodel that bath. We're moving our bedroom from upstairs to downstairs (taking over 2 first floor bedrooms), and the former master bedroom is being made into 3 bedrooms. There is already another bedroom up there, so with 4 bedrooms on that floor, we then thought it was better to have 2 baths, so we are now adding a bath, in addition to remodeling the bath that was already on that floor. The second bath was not anticipated, so we're looking to keep the costs reasonable on the upstairs fixtures. I want them to look nice, of course, but not over the top. I wish there was something a little fancier than the villager, but not as pricey as the memoirs but since there isn't, I'll settle for the villager! Thanks, again, for the input.
...See More
Advice with Cast Iron tub
Q
Comments (5)
If you are in the US, ask your landlord to get some ROG, if you aren't afraid of hard work. It's what hotels use so they don't have to constantly buy new tubs and it's quite expensive and labor-intensive but when all else fails it will sometimes clean things up. You can't have cast iron re-enameled anymore due to EPA regulations and you would have had to pull the tub for that anyway. You can have it refinished, but that's just a fancy coat of paint. Some people have good luck with that, but most of the time it doesn't last long at all.
...See More
Dog bath station: convert old cast iron bath tub?
Q
Comments (12)
Why Sanitary napkins as shown in the photo? Also lotion? Are you going to do a hot water hook up to the tub? I know people who have had hot water hook up outside so they can rinse and wash the dogs before they come in the house. I always bring my boy in and use the warm water and sprayer in the tub. He jumps in and out by himself, does not slip on the non -slip bottom, but one of those rubber mats would work.
...See More
BATHTUBS: Enamel steel bathtub or classic cast iron? Or acrylic?
Q
Comments (3)
We had an old cast iron with bad rusting on the overflow drain. instead of replacing it we had Miracle Method refinish it. They repaired the rusted out spot and replaced drains. Our tile was in good space but an ugly yellow so I had them spray the tub surround too. So much easier than retiling, and it looks great. It does stink for a few days but worth it.
...See More
Related Professionals
Agoura Hills Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cuyahoga Falls Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hybla Valley Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Waianae Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Charlottesville Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Fort Washington Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Hunters Creek Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Oklahoma City Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Overland Park Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Pearl City Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Turlock Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · American Fork Architects & Building Designers · Auburn Hills Architects & Building Designers · Four Corners Architects & Building Designers · Schiller Park Architects & Building Designers
autumngal
Original Author
15 years ago
Wow Joyce- what a sink! That's amazing! I hadn't even thought of doing it ourselves until looking into it a bit and it sounded like the only way to officially restore a sink and tub was to get the enameling off and then re-firing it. It sounded like any alternative to that wasn't quite so permanent, but Joyce's sink looks not only permanent, but really fantastic.

Joyce, where did you find your restorer? Did you just look in the phone book, or did you find them elsewhere?

Thanks!
0
joyce_6333
15 years ago
Autumn -- I believe Perma Glaze is a national franchise, and I'm sure there are others, too. Yes, I found them in the phone book. If you have an architectural antique place near you, they may possibly recommend someone.

We're very pleased with the sink. Wish I could take it with me when we get the house sold, but I'd feel guilty not leaving it for the new owners.

Here is a link that might be useful: Perma Glaze franchise locator
0
autumngal
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Joyce, I appreciate the info-

Good luck selling your home, I hope that your new place has a sink just as lovely!
0
kimcoco
15 years ago
We hired a company to restore our iron tub. Cost maybe $400, and has a 5 or 7 year warranty. Worth every penny. They do all the taping off, can complete the job in your home in a matter of two days, and it will look brand new.
0
Rcastillo511_yahoo_com
13 years ago
Thanks for all the tips, I have two 1912 cast iron claw foot tubs ready to be restored.
Rudy w/vision
0
brickeyee
13 years ago
If it is not oven fired it is not porcelain, it is paint.
0

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Sinks: Enameled Cast Iron for Attractive Durability

By Rachel Grace

Strong, shiny and sustainable, an enameled cast iron sink can bring character to your kitchen

CRAFTSMAN DESIGN My Houzz: Small-Space Living in a Restored Bungalow

By Bonnie McCarthy

See how this homeowner celebrates his personal style, his flea market finds and the heritage of his 1919 Long Beach home

REMODELING GUIDES Original Home Details: What to Keep, What to Cast Off

By Laura Gaskill

Renovate an older home without regrets with this insight on the details worth preserving

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Restoration Revives a Historic Italianate Home

By Becky Harris

Painstaking work on a 3-bedroom in St. Louis results in a home that marries modern conveniences and respect for the past

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Spanish Colonial Restoration in Hollywood

Honoring its Spanish heritage, a 1928 home in California becomes a romantic sanctuary and inviting space for entertaining

BEFORE AND AFTERS Kitchen of the Week: Classic White Farmhouse Style Restored

By Sarah Greenman

A couple remodel their kitchen to better match their 19th-century Oregon home’s style

MEDITERRANEAN STYLE Houzz Tour: Beauty Restored to a 1930s Spanish Colonial Revival Home

By Becky Harris

Original details have been painstakingly preserved or reproduced in this Santa Barbara home

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Get a Claw-Foot Tub for Your Bathroom

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Here’s what to know about buying vintage or new — and how to refurbish a classic

BATHROOM DESIGN Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Add Color to Your Tub

By Jennifer Ott Design

Perk up that old claw-foot with a hit of paint that’s as bold or subtle as you please

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — Waterproofing and Drainage

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 4 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick your waterproofing materials and drain, and don't forget to test

Sponsored

Virginia Kitchen & Bath

154 Reviews

Virginia's Award Winning One Stop Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Resource

More Discussions

San Francisco old house (1937) sewer lateral and plumbing

6

What is this (switch box?) that's next to the fuse box and so on...

3

Can you tell if this wall is load-bearing? (bathroom remodel)

7

Still seeking a house similar to this Australian house built in 1896

1

Help: Renovating a 1970's BHG Mid-century Kit Home

14