New life for old cast iron bath tub!

wroughtn_harv · Dec 21, 2004

It looks great James. Did you do the tile too?

We're replacing the carpet in about half the house with tile. We're doing it all ourselves. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

PineRidge · Dec 21, 2004

Nice looking project! I have no experience with epoxy paint, is it as tough as porcelain? It looks like it has a real high luster from the pictures.

MF1455v · Dec 21, 2004

Yes Harv, I did do the tile. It was my first tile job. It sure looks a lot easier on TV! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif The flat surface wasn't to bad, the wall is a hole different story. Don't think I want to do tile work for a living. I was still happy with the results.

MF1455v · Dec 21, 2004

PineRidge, I don't have any experience with it either. I sure it's not a tough as the porcelain. It does seem to be tough though, but we are going to only us a mild soft cleaner on it.

beenthere · Dec 21, 2004

The trick is going to be if the epoxy continues to adhere to the cast iron underneath. Time will be the test. The epoxy itself will likely last with your plans for mild cleaners.
Job well done. Thanks for sharing.

GerardC · Dec 21, 2004

<font color="blue"> With this we got "different" and a lot more cost effective. </font>

That's what makes me like it even more. Dare to be different /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. G

jinman · Dec 21, 2004

James, that looks really good. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Is the entire ledge concrete, or just a base footing for the tub?

Robert_in_NY · Dec 21, 2004

I can imagine the fun you had. I just refinished a claw foot for the master bath in my new house. I didn't do the inside of the tub as it was fine but the outside was in rough shape. Only reason I did it was because the ex wanted it. Now shes gone and I have a cast iron tub in the master bath that I won't use because I am a shower guy and I don't like cold tubs. Good thing I have two bathrooms in this place /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

Hysyde · Dec 21, 2004

Looks great. Good work.

I've known people to restore them, but usually back to to a claw foot configuration.

My dad wanted one in his new log house(or rather his fiance did /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) but we thought it was better to go with an acrylic replica.

Not quite as authentic, but warmer, probably cheaper, and a WHOLE lot lighter.

MF1455v · Dec 21, 2004

Jim, the ledge is 3/4 plywood covered with concrete backer board. It was tiled then I took 3 80lb sacks of quickcrete mixed thick and mounded up under where tub was going. Then tub was set in place in the wet concrete and pushed down until tub lip contacted the tile. This molded the concrete to the bottom of the tub.