SPI Epoxy bathtub

EPfiffner

Promoted Users
This has been posted about before years ago, but here's another cast iron bathtub saved from the scrapyard. I scrubbed the tub with iron out/water mixture, washed with dawn and water, then rinsed with plain water. The original porcelain was wearing away in places so I did some repairs with duraglass and sanded it smooth. I prepped with waterborne and sprayed with my LPH400, 4 coats with half hour flash between.

The 3rd pic is where it stands now, I replaced the plumbing with PEX and installed new waterproof wall board, and am in the process of tiling.
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This has been posted about before years ago, but here's another cast iron bathtub saved from the scrapyard. I scrubbed the tub with iron out/water mixture, washed with dawn and water, then rinsed with plain water. The original porcelain was wearing away in places so I did some repairs with duraglass and sanded it smooth. I prepped with waterborne and sprayed with my LPH400, 4 coats with half hour flash between.

The 3rd pic is where it stands now, I replaced the plumbing with PEX and installed new waterproof wall board, and am in the process of tiling.
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That looks nice! Bath tubs really s*** to get out of a bathroom without putting holes in the walls. Have you used it yet? I ask because I would never be able to get as smooth a finish as a porcelain coating and wonder if mildew would get held up in the "not so perfectly smooth" finish. Did you mix it 1:1? Thanks

When I first saw the post I wondered who the heck would paint their bath tub black? LOL
 
That looks nice! Bath tubs really s*** to get out of a bathroom without putting holes in the walls. Have you used it yet? I ask because I would never be able to get as smooth a finish as a porcelain coating and wonder if mildew would get held up in the "not so perfectly smooth" finish. Did you mix it 1:1? Thanks

When I first saw the post I wondered who the heck would paint their bath tub black? LOL
Really good point on the finish. I can also relate to how heavy these old tubs are, I almost hurt myself and my house using a 2 wheel dolly to move our 1950's tub outside during a bathroom remodel.
 
That looks nice! Bath tubs really s*** to get out of a bathroom without putting holes in the walls. Have you used it yet? I ask because I would never be able to get as smooth a finish as a porcelain coating and wonder if mildew would get held up in the "not so perfectly smooth" finish. Did you mix it 1:1? Thanks

When I first saw the post I wondered who the heck would paint their bath tub black? LOL
I haven't used it yet, still work on the reno. I did mix 1:1, yes. I believe it's been stated by Barry that the epoxy is most durable full strength.
You guys might be right about the finish, we shall see. It laid out decent, but spraying down in to a bathtub isn't easy, the overspray blows right back in to your face.
I basically did this because I didn't want to deal with your and Raymond's horror stories of hurting myself, etc getting the tub out.
Somewhere Barry had commented that some professional refinishers use his epoxy, so that made me feel like I had a decent chance if success.
 
looks good. i have done 3-4 tubs many years ago. without any topcoat though just keep in mind that the epoxy is going to yellow. its not going to stay bright white like that. it will eventually turn into a cream color. mine i always finished off with imron. this was prob 25 years ago
 
looks good. i have done 3-4 tubs many years ago. without any topcoat though just keep in mind that the epoxy is going to yellow. its not going to stay bright white like that. it will eventually turn into a cream color. mine i always finished off with imron. this was prob 25 years ago
Did you color topcoat with Imron? I didn't see any clear on the first site that popped up. It does say you can roll it or brush it on. :) This interests me. What are your thoughts Jim C? Did you ever brush on Imron or SPI epoxy, for that matter?
 
imron is just ss polyurethane. you can use any brand you want. imron, spi, utech,etc. the imron of today is not the same as it was 25 years ago. it used to be rock hard. spi is kinda soft for a tub but may work out ok. utech is really nice. anytime i have ever rolled a ss it gets bubbly.
 
I used the old Imron on semi gloss black parts, the store I bought it from would cut the gloss down to 60-70% for me, and it seemed like I could get a clean spray in my dirty garage. It laid down just right, hard to run, and no dust nibs. I just couldn't understand that, also had good results with full gloss. Didn't seem to matter which cheap gun I used either, and using a 1hp craftsman portable air compressor with no filter. The good old days.
 
No to get too off topic but let see if you guys remember this. i did one tub in a dupont paint call cronar. Anyone remember that stuff? Polyoxithane. Not sure how it was on cars but for household and industrial stuff it worked great. Was super rock hard.
 
No to get too off topic but let see if you guys remember this. i did one tub in a dupont paint call cronar. Anyone remember that stuff? Polyoxithane. Not sure how it was on cars but for household and industrial stuff it worked great. Was super rock hard.
Dang Jim. You are the Mr. Wizard-Inspector Gadget of all things paint. This forum is lucky to have you and I always look forward to your posts.
 
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