Clawfoot tubs can be beautiful focal points for bathrooms If your tub is old, stained, or worn down, it may not be the attention-grabber you are looking for Tub refinishing allows you to change the look of your tub without moving it from its current location Its far more affordable than replacing your tub or you can customize your bathtub to match your aesthetic
Here is a look at how clawfoot bathtub refinishing works along with tips to optimize your outcome
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How Clawfoot Tub Refinishing Works
Clawfoot tub refinishing starts with a repair process The technician will fill in any chips or surface cracks that could compromise the integrity of the final look
From there they will thoroughly clean the tub to remove any oil or debris from the surface Next, the topcoat is sanded so it can bond with the new paint The faucet and other fixtures are covered so they’re protected every step of the way
A heavy-duty bonding agent is sprayed on the tub, and it is ready for its facelift! Most bathtub refinishing professionals will use a durable acrylic urethane to transform your bathtub and create a long-lasting finished coat Wait 24 hours for the tub to fully cure, and you’ll have a new-looking tub without the new tub price tag
Your Clawfoot Bathtub Doesn’t Have to Be One Color
Sure, a beautiful white tub is classy and timeless, But who says you must stick to those standards?
We’ve seen a big shift in clawfoot tub designs recently, where homeowners have chosen an accent color for the outside of their tub. The inside is normally white for cleanliness, but the outside could be almost any color you like
To put this into perspective, let’s say that you have vintage green tile in your bathroom. You don’t want to cover the tile because you think it’s a cool design feature. You can make the tile feel more purposeful by painting the outside of your tub in a similar shade of green. You could also pull out an accent color from the tile. To make the whole space a cohesive design.
Don’t feel limited to just one color for your tub. Explore the possibilities of different color combos, and you may be surprised by what you like!
Popular Colors for the Outside of Clawfoot Tubs
Black is the most common accent color for the exterior of clawfoot tubs. It’s neutral but still offers a pop of contrast. If you have black hardware, light fixtures, or tiles in the bathroom, this may be an excellent fit for you.
We’ve also seen many shades of green in current bathroom trends. Grey is a popular choice for tile refinishing, but it’s not popular for clawfoot tubs. If you have vintage tile or funky artwork in the space, you could go for a bold color like yellow, red, or orange.
Take a picture of the space and draw different colors on the outside of the tub. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You just need something to help you visualize the space. Use this as a tool to navigate your clawfoot tub refinishing choices.
Can All Clawfoot Tubs Be Refinished?
The refinishing process works on all materials – porcelain, acrylic, fiberglass, and more. Tub refinishing cannot cover major structural damage. A surface chip or small crack is easy to fix, but a significant crack may not be salvageable.
Should I do it myself?
Under good conditions you are looking at 5 hours of work and then the cleanup time. The chemicals in the kits you buy for DIY are not as strong as what the pros use so the outcome may be less than optimal. With professionals charging around $350-$500 to refinish a tub, it’s probably a wiser choice to outsource this task. Compared to replacing the tub, you are saving way more than what you are spending.
