A bathtub is a very common product for any person who loves to have a luxurious lifestyle. Most people choose fiberglass bathtubs because they are lightweight and less expensive. But the problem with fiberglass bathtubs is that they don’t age long as iron, steel, and acrylic bathtubs. So they might become more fragile as they become old.
Do you have a large hole in your bathtub? Are you looking for ways how to repair large hole in bathtub? Then you need to go through this article at least once. In this article, you will learn about the steps you should follow and will get the answer to your question in mind that how to fix large hole in bathtub
Common problems you may face while repairing a hole
There are some common problems you might face while repairing a hole. On problem is leaking water rusted the bathtub drain. The erosion beneath the tub might increase if the hole isn’t patched timely. Another problem is that there is double rust out in the bathtub.
In this case, you need to cut the metal which is rusted dangerously. This is important because the remaining rust might come out. It is advised that the space around the drain and overflow be opened up to allow the new metal to be fiber-glassed in.
Supplies you will need for bathtub repair
The best way to repair a hole in the bathtub especially if the tub is a fiberglass bathtub is a fiberglass tub hole repair kit. The kit includes two epoxy fillers, application sticks, cleaning swabs, fine-grit sandpaper, and a polishing compound.
A bathtub hole also can be repaired with an auto body repair kit like Bondo Fiberglass Resin Repair Kit, which includes fiberglass cloth.
7 Easy Steps of how to repair a large hole in the bathtub
Step 1: Ensure that the area to be repaired is clean
Clean the whole surrounding of the hole with alcohol or acetone. It will help to remove if there is any residue of grease, oil, or soap. If the repair kit you are using for the bathtub includes cleaning pads then you can use them as well. Working in a clean environment is really important for your health.
Step 2: Tape off the area using painter’s tape
The next step is to lay a double row of painter’s tape around the hole to repair it. It is recommended to use painter’s tape instead of masking tape or duct tape because it comes out easily and doesn’t leave any marks. 1-inch area of the tub surface should be remained exposed on all sides.
While repairing a large hole you should attach a fiberglass cloth with the repair epoxy. The cloth must be big enough so that it can easily overlap all the sides of the hole by about ½ inch.
Step 3: Drill Stop-Drill Holes in the Bathtub and Reinforce It
If you are repairing a crack, drill a ¼ inch hole on both sides of the crack with the help of a drill. If the tube requires augmentation then just spray high-density foam through the holes. Don’t spray if the foam starts to overflow from the hole.
Wait until the foam gets set and cut off the excess with any sharp material. To make a place for the repair compound, drill a small indentation in the foam.
Step 4: Combine Epoxy with Hardener
Read the instructions regarding mixing written on the label of the epoxy and follow them accordingly. Put an adequate amount of epoxy to repair on a piece of removable cardboard. Add a specific amount of hardener and mix them to form a uniform consistency and then apply the mixture.
Step 5: Fill up the gaps with the filler
The next step is to spread the filler equally inside the tapped area. Make sure that it fills the hole and if it overfills the area then you should have something to sand down. If the patch you are using is a patch of fiberglass then just apply the cloth with the wet epoxy as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
When you are done with filling and leveling just remove the tape. But be careful or it will be impossible to do so if you let the filler set first. Let the epoxy fix as instructed.
Step 6: Start sanding after retaping the area
To prevent the surface of the bathtub from sanding apply a double row of painter’s tape. Then sand the area as flat as you can with the help of 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper. After doing so switch to switch to 600-grit wet/dry sandpaper and sand the area smoothly. Now remove the tape and wet the 600-grit sandpaper.
This part makes the distinction between the refinishing job of an expert and refinishing job of an amateur. It is wise to shine a work light on the surface. It will help you to see small ridges and scratches and sand them out.
Step 7: Use Polishing Compound
If you don’t want to paint then just use a polishing compound to the repaired hole. Then buff it with a soft cloth until its shade matches with the rest of the bathtub. If you are intending to paint then just use auto polish on the whole bathtub and then buff it with an electric buffer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the best way to fix a hole in a porcelain tub?
Answer: Paint the two-stage epoxy resin over minor holes to repair them. Cut the amount of putty you’ll need to plug the hole for larger holes. Knead the putty thoroughly until a uniform hue remains, indicating that the hardener has been active. Press it into the hole with a slightly larger shape than the hole.
2. Is it possible to fix a bathtub with epoxy?
Answer: As a result, epoxy resin is frequently the best choice for bathtub repair. Because epoxy binds tenaciously to cured polyester but not to uncured polyester, the bond between an epoxy repair and a polyester gel-coat topcoat will be weak. When making repairs that will be gel-coated, use polyester.
3. Is it possible to use body filler on fiberglass?
Answer: Bondo Body Filler cures quickly, forms in minutes, and is designed to be a non-shrinking, long-lasting material. It can also be used to repair wood, fiberglass, and concrete, in addition to automobile exteriors and other metal surfaces.
4. Is it possible to put Flex Seal on a bathtub?
Answer: Flex Paste can be used on a number of surfaces, including wood, glass, tile, concrete, aluminum, metal, brick, stucco, masonry, copper, fabric, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain, natural stones, roofing, PVC, EIFS, EPDM, CSPE, Hypalon polyurethanes, and many others.
5. Can you fix a hole in the bathtub?
Answer: A two-component epoxy bathtub repair kit from your local hardware shop may easily repair chips and small cracks in your bathtub. Making sure you’re using the proper repair or refinishing kit for your tub or shower surface is crucial to a successful DIY shower or tub repair.
Final Words
You might feel that repairing a hole in the bathtub is hectic and complicated. But if you have read the article carefully then you should notice that it isn’t as complicated as it feels. If you follow the steps mentioned in the article then you will be able to repair easily any kind of hole in the bathtub.
