Spot putty?

[tomplum]

I'm in process of repainting the outside of a 1909 cast iron bathtub for the misses. It's is pretty much stripped and it is not necessarily a smooth surface. Some pits in the casting , seams etc. I find that I can blend the seams a blemishes with flap disc pretty well, but would like to smooth out a few of the pits. Would I use something like spot putty to fill them or is there something better? Fill and then prime? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[widefat]

I've had success with JB Weld putty epoxy. It's malleable, sandable.

 

[radios1]

it don't have a porcelain finish on it??. that's what keeps it from rusting and pitting. it's very hard, like China..

 

[RNeumann]

it don't have a porcelain finish on it??. that's what keeps it from rusting and pitting. it's very hard, like China..

If you are going with porcelain I don’t know that process. But if you are doing “normal” paint you would treat it like a car and use body filler like Bondo and then block sand it.

 

[JPRambo]

for minor dips and pits I used 'Feather Fill' when prepping my '65 Malibu for paint.

 

[tomplum]

Thanks guys. The inside of the tub has good porcelain, the outside was paint. I didn't know that they came that way. It is kind of utilitarian when you look at it as you can see the seams from the molding process. Dunno if this was made to be a low budget tub for the county farm or what. The guy at the paint store gave us some kind of hybrid paint. Said we could prime it w/ red primer or tint up some of the shellac that I had. In the end, it will be sealed and red.

 

[chim]

If you ever need some filler that is extremely hard, try Alvin Lab Metal. It's a one-part filler that gets a lot harder than regular body filler.

 

[EddieWalker]

Good ole automotive Bondo should work perfectly for this. Easy to use, easy to sand and it stays in place forever.

How big are the pits that you are trying to fill?

If they are small, I would also try the better quality caulking. Put just a little on and then get your finger soaking wet and spread it out.

 

[tomplum]

I initially ordered the JB putty from the big a figuring that I'd always have a use for it after filling the pits. I still may need to smooth parts out. But, then again- it adds character... My auto body skills are- horrendous. We'll see what is really visible. Why a woman in her 60's needs a clawfoot tub,.,

 

[fried1765]

I initially ordered the JB putty from the big a figuring that I'd always have a use for it after filling the pits. I still may need to smooth parts out. But, then again- it adds character... My auto body skills are- horrendous. We'll see what is really visible. Why a woman in her 60's needs a clawfoot tub,.,

"Why a woman in her 60's needs a clawfoot tub..."

Women think it is cute.......we think a 10 lb. sledge would be best.