BOX BY BOX KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN
Kitchen and Bath and full Home Renovations
Phone: 647-772-3762
An item’s value plummets as time passes. It accumulates features that are caused by anything that constantly comes in contact with it. That is usually the norm once an item is brought outside the store. It may look good but it will have some tough days ahead. However, this does not meant that it cannot be re-used. With a little bit of hard work and some chemicals, you will be able to bring back its old shine. It may not be totally the same, but it will be close to it; very close.
One warning though, refinishing your tub may not be a job for a commoner. It is usually left in the hands of professionals because of the chemicals that are being used for the job to be done perfectly, but this does not mean that you cannot do it yourself. You just need to be prepared with all the things necessary before you get anywhere close to cleaning the tub.
First, what you need to do is remove the drain cover and the lever plate, which is the part that opens and closes the drain. Excess silicon and caulk are also to be removed from the edges of the tub.
A cleaning agent is necessary for the next step because this is the part where you are going to remove all dirt, including those which hardened overtime. These include the following:
This step should not be skipped because these are the things that make the tub look old. By removing this, you will be able to make the tub look good as new. For this step, you need to have a cleaning agent ready. Most of the times, the agent to be used is included in the cleaning kit, but not every kit has it. As a substitute, you can use Bon Ami or Zud. Make sure that you are able to cover every part of the tub completely so that you can remove everything. Rinse the tub after.
There are also cleaning kits which require you to scrub the tub with sandpaper. Remember to use the recommended one and then, vacuum the tub. A second cleaning solution may also be needed applied using a textured pad, preparing the tub well. Rinse the tub again after.
A solvent may be included in your cleaning kit. This particular solvent is used to remove any trace of soap on the tub and provides a surface enough traction that makes the primer bond to the surface. Paper towels are usually used to apply the primer.
Once the tub is dry, tape off the areas that you are not going to refinish to avoid getting paint on these parts and prepare the primer found in your kit. Wear the appropriate protective equipment, especially the gas mask. You can choose from a brush, a roller, or a paint sprayer to apply the primer on the tub. Professionals recommend the use of a paint sprayer to assure an even finish.
Leave the room and make sure proper ventilation is present when letting the primer dry. Children and pets are also kept away from the bathroom. Once it is dry, apply the topcoat the same way you did the primer. Remove the tapes but leave the plastic covers above the fixtures as you let the top coat dry off. Most of the times, recommended drying time is around 48 hours, or, you can also follow the instructions that goes with the kit.
(Copyright) www.boxbyboxkitchenandbathdesign.com. All Rights Reserved. 2012. Designed and developed by www.gomamawebdesign.com