How to Correct a Crack in an Acrylic Bathtub
Acrylic is one of the most commonly used materials for bathtubs. Acrylic tubs are warm to the touch, keeping water temperature; lightweight, therefore easy to carry, manage and match; available in a range of colours and durable. However, no matter how durable a bathtub is, accidents and damage could happen. If your bathtub develops a crack, then it does not necessarily indicate that it needs replacing, you might be able to correct the crack yourself.
Halt motion and bending to stop the fracture from reappearing once you’ve fixed it. Drill 1/4-inch holes in a place approximately 1-foot square round the crack. Do not drill all of the way through to the other side of the tub. Insert insulating foam into the holes to stop further flexing. Slowly cut any excess foam which escapes in the holes with a craft knife, being careful not to cut too close to the surface of the tub. Sand remaining surplus, with 240-grade sandpaper.
Drill a hole in both ends of the crack, ensuring you grab the crack on every end. This keeps it from spreading further. Again, drill slowly and carefully to ensure you don’t drill through to the other side of the tub.
Mix a two-part polyester filler and then apply along the crack, employing a rubber spreader. Ensure the crack and the drill holes in the endings are completely filled. Permit the filler to dry thoroughly.
Sand the filler smooth so that it’s flush with the surface, starting with an extremely nice 240-grit sandpaper and finishing with an ultra nice 800-grit. Wipe the region with denatured alcohol to remove dust and debris.
Buy a bathtub repair paint in the regional hardware store. Make sure to select a fantastic color match. Spray a light coat on the repaired area, with a spray gun. Keep the spray gun going to make an even coat and stop drips and runs. Permit the paint to dry thoroughly.
Continue to apply coats of paint until you’ve produced a smooth finish that matches the remainder of the tub.
Employ an auto polish, urethane chemical to the fix, utilizing a buffer and buff to make a hard finish and smooth the edges of the paint. This blends the color and also the fix with the remainder of the tub.
