Re-enamelling / re-surfacing a bath and sink/pedestal

[Jamie Banks]

Wonder if anyone on here has ever had a bath resurfaced?

Looking to change the colour on a cream enamel bath to white and the same with a porcelin basin and pedestal. Think the bath that is in at the moment is far more solid and stronger than the cheap suites now a days - just want to change the colour and have a decent finish

Any advice cheers

 

[SimonJohns]

I've never done this but I know round our way we have a bath doctor that will do the service

You could ask to look at previous work.

Perhaps they may have a sample?

 

[SimonG]

Bath should be no problem, have a search on the web for re-surfacing companies near you. Basin and ped you will be looking at a new one unless anybody knows different.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

a customer of mine had their cast bath resurfaced and it came out very well

 

[Best]

I have seen a lot of baths that the "enamel" just peeled off. Heard of someone who arose from their bath & the enamel paint was stuck to their backside.
Sorry to put doubts about it, - I am sure a lot of firms do a good job, just be careful who you get. It can't be as good as factory enamel but have seen redone baths looking well. Taps & wastes may need removed first.

 

[SimonG]

I thought that about the waste and taps, but the two companies I've had dealings with both wanted the taps and waste in a finished condition.

 

[Best]

Odd that. I know some say that. You would assume it is better to enamel below taps & waste, & easier for the firm.

 

[tamz]

You can't give porcelain a different colour unless you get a paint brush out but re enammeling baths is quite common. Some are better at it than others. Bath can be in situ but i've always been asked to remove the brassware if possible but a couple of times they done round it with good results. Cost is around £300 up this way for white (only ever seen them re done white on a cast bath).

 

[Jamie Banks]

Cheers Guys, am looking into it now and will hopefully get a decent firm to sort it out-

 

[SimonG]

Odd that. I know some say that. You would assume it is better to enamel below taps & waste, & easier for the firm.

Exactly what I thought.

 

[Deleted member 25704]

Wonder if anyone on here has ever had a bath resurfaced?

Looking to change the colour on a cream enamel bath to white and the same with a porcelin basin and pedestal. Think the bath that is in at the moment is far more solid and stronger than the cheap suites now a days - just want to change the colour and have a decent finish

Any advice cheers

I have had several customers that have had cast iron baths re-enamelled, but which looked nice, but soon peeled off. Had customers that paid more than the cost of the new bath to do this, but still suffered (told you so!).

A pressed steel bath is about £120 and ped basin £50 and wc/cistern £50. With plumbers rates coming down to £6.50 an hour and some plumbers advertising to work for free on this forum - the whole job should cost no more than £350 supplied and fitted - sign of the times!

 

[Guest123]

For 300 quid, you'd get a really good quality brand new bath.

 

[Jamie Banks]

Agreed but for a complete suite its alot more and seems to be a waste to take a good bath out for the same type to go in - only the colour is wrong

 

[adam84]

If the original enamel is in decent shape you could get a powder coater to apply a water resistant coat to the enamel. Just an idea.

 

[Mickyplumb]

Had this done several times. Always make sure that the waste/taps/grips etc are removed. Most companies seem to like to 'mask' the fittings and spray round it. This leads to edges and therefore leads to peeling. If you do have it done, don't put the fittings back on for at least 48 hrs to allow full hardening.

Keep in mind though, enameling is a process. These guys may use an enamel type spray but it is a long way from the original enameling.

 

[WHPES]

The techniques you describe above is re-coating not re-enamelling - you are simply putting a plastic coating over the existing enamel. The bath should be treated like an acrylic bath once this has been done.

Re-enamelling a bath involves taking the bath out, shot blasting and sending off to an enamelling plant to be fired with a fresh coating of vitreous enamel frit. Cost for this is about £1,000 not including the plumbing work.

You cannot re-coat a porcelain suite. I once saw an avocado suite someone had tried to turn into a white suite using gloss paint. You can imagine the finished appearance!