Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.


I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

jwaterfield writes:

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity?

You cannot produce a porcelain finish without thousands of degrees of
temperature.

Nothing you can paint or otherwise coat on will be hard and durable
compared to porcelain glaze.

Richard J Kinch wrote:
jwaterfield writes:

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity?

You cannot produce a porcelain finish without thousands of degrees of
temperature.

Nothing you can paint or otherwise coat on will be hard and durable
compared to porcelain glaze.

Not as hard as porcelain, no, but some of the epoxy restoration products
aren't too bad....if you're willing to spend a little money (or could
talk the landlord into it), might check your yellow pages for one of the
tile/counter/appliance repair guys. They may be able to do it for what
you can buy the supplies for retail...

--

"dpb" wrote in message ...
Richard J Kinch wrote:
jwaterfield writes:

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity?

You cannot produce a porcelain finish without thousands of degrees of
temperature.

Nothing you can paint or otherwise coat on will be hard and durable
compared to porcelain glaze.

Not as hard as porcelain, no, but some of the epoxy restoration products
aren't too bad....if you're willing to spend a little money (or could talk
the landlord into it), might check your yellow pages for one of the
tile/counter/appliance repair guys. They may be able to do it for what
you can buy the supplies for retail...

Using one of those DIY tub refinish kits, or even having a company do a
'pro' refinish, without blessing by landlord, is probably a lease-breaker,
and will land OP in the street.

A 1970s apartment in this country is unlikely to be a porcelain over cast
iron anyway. 1970s is probably too early for plastic, but a whole lot of
stamped-steel tubs got installed in that era. As much as those flex in use,
I don't see anything out of a spray can sticking to it.

There are tub cleaning products stronger than what is sold in the grocery
store. OP should try local janitorial supply, or even finding some TSP and
trying a paste made from that, and letting it sit an hour. And a tub from
the 1970s is far from old- there are tubs from 1910s and 1920s out there in
daily use. Properly installed, and not abused, a tub should last the life of
the building. I don't blame landlord for telling OP to get lost- changing
tub means gutting bathroom, since bathroom is built around the tub. I worked
apartment construction in the 1970s, and saw hundreds of them go in.

aem sends....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.

The only real hope would be a buffing wheel and some polishing compound.

Lots of work with no guarantee that it will help at all.

jwaterfield wrote:
Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.


I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

I don't believe you, or anyone, is going to be able to restore the
current finish. It is a waste of time.

There are three ways of refinishing the tub.

1. DIY kit. It is possible to get a good finish this way, but not
everyone will and even those that do will find it is not as durable as other
options.

2. A professional version of #1. Chances of a good looking result are
high and it is likely to last longer than the DIY job. They are likely to
use equipment and materials that are not available to the individual.

3. In factory refinish. This one can return it to the original finish,
but is usually too expensive for all but "historic" fixtures that someone
does not want to replace.

As someone noted, if you are not the owner and only a renter, anything
you do without the owner's approval could be trouble.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

On Jun 10, 5:37?am, "Noozer" wrote:
The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.

The only real hope would be a buffing wheel and some polishing compound.

Lots of work with no guarantee that it will help at all.

any real effective cleaning MAY DAMAGE whatever is left of the
original finish and then rust will start

I would try one last cleaning then ignore it.

get too aggresive and damage tub apartment owner might keep security
deposit to replace tub.

use a bathmat to improve appearance a little...

or risk spending thousands rebuilding bathroom

On Jun 10, 2:32 pm, " wrote:
On Jun 10, 5:37?am, "Noozer" wrote:



The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.

The only real hope would be a buffing wheel and some polishing compound.

Lots of work with no guarantee that it will help at all.

any real effective cleaning MAY DAMAGE whatever is left of the
original finish and then rust will start

I would try one last cleaning then ignore it.

get too aggresive and damage tub apartment owner might keep security
deposit to replace tub.

use a bathmat to improve appearance a little...

or risk spending thousands rebuilding bathroom

the only solution i see is to replace the bathtub.
All the other is spend of mney

--------------
http://www.myonlinedream.net

jwaterfield wrote:
Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.


I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

Bathtub liner?

On Jun 10, 4:48 am, "HeyBub" wrote:
jwaterfield wrote:
Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.

I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

Bathtub liner?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Try a mild acid first like Lime Away, my lanlord used to use Muriatic
acid, but its dangerous it fumes badly, and then it cant be let to sit
it must be rinsed off in 5 minutes, you can paint it but to prep it
acid should be used

On Jun 10, 9:28 am, ransley wrote:
On Jun 10, 4:48 am, "HeyBub" wrote:





jwaterfield wrote:
Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.

I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

Bathtub liner?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Try a mild acid first like Lime Away, my lanlord used to use Muriatic
acid, but its dangerous it fumes badly, and then it cant be let to sit
it must be rinsed off in 5 minutes, you can paint it but to prep it
acid should be used- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Agree, that's worth a shot. They have products specific for rust
type stains in the plumbing section of HD and similar. In the case
of rust stains, it's amazing. I've seen dark orange/brown stains
disappear as you just pour it on. Whether what you have is some kind
of mineral deposit or a shot finish, who knows.

You could also get the tub professionally refinished, but it's
probably gonna cost $400+. And if you decide to go that route, make
sure you get the landlords OK in writing.

aemeijers wrote:
"dpb" wrote in message ...
Richard J Kinch wrote:
jwaterfield writes:

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity?
You cannot produce a porcelain finish without thousands of degrees of
temperature.

Nothing you can paint or otherwise coat on will be hard and durable
compared to porcelain glaze.
Not as hard as porcelain, no, but some of the epoxy restoration products
aren't too bad....if you're willing to spend a little money (or could talk
the landlord into it), might check your yellow pages for one of the
tile/counter/appliance repair guys. They may be able to do it for what
you can buy the supplies for retail...

Using one of those DIY tub refinish kits, or even having a company do a
'pro' refinish, without blessing by landlord, is probably a lease-breaker,
and will land OP in the street.
....

Valid point, but that's another question than the one posed...

Since OP has obviously had conversations on the subject w/ landlord and
gotten confirmation the complaint is valid and been rejected not on the
basis of the cosmetics being bad/objectionable but on functionality and
is still pursuing it, perhaps the next plan of attack was to suggest a
cosmetic fix rather than replacement??? Don't know, seems reasonable
(having never, fortunately, had to deal w/ landlords since "school daze"
when what the tub looked like wasn't a high priority on my radar...)

OP is probably long gone, but as you and others have also notee there
are other cleaning products and/methods out there. If OP had some idea
of what the cause(s) of the stain were and what the tub is actually made
of, it could possibly lead to some better or more specific remedies...

--

On Sun, 10 Jun 2007 06:48:42 -0500, "HeyBub"
graced this newsgroup with:

jwaterfield wrote:
Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.


I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

Bathtub liner?



that's what I was thnking:

http://www.bathcrest.com/Serv_acrylic.html

"jwaterfield" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.


I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

Have you considered moving, or threatening to move? Look around and find an
apartment you like and can afford, then give your landlord notice just as
soon as you lease, if you have one, expires.

Just might be he will decide it's easier to replace the bathtub than it is
to find another good, dependable tenant.

"Freckles" wrote

"jwaterfield" wrote in message

I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

Have you considered moving, or threatening to move? Look around and find
an apartment you like and can afford, then give your landlord notice just
as soon as you lease, if you have one, expires.

Just might be he will decide it's easier to replace the bathtub than it is
to find another good, dependable tenant.

How about calling someone like Bath Fitters (??) who encase
the tub and wall surround. Get an estimate. Perhaps you can the
landlord can come to an agreement, maybe you could kick in some
since it really bothers you?

Just a thought.

nancy

"aemeijers" wrote in
:

Using one of those DIY tub refinish kits, or even having a company do
a 'pro' refinish, without blessing by landlord, is probably a
lease-breaker, and will land OP in the street.

Perhaps the OP wants a clean tub bad enough to get permission from the
landlord and is willing to pay for the job on their own.i'd recommend
having a PRO do the job,and I hear the new urethane finishes the pros use
stay white and do not yellow.They still require using 409 to clean the
tub;no abrasive cleaners.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

On Jun 10, 9:09 am, wrote:
On Jun 10, 9:28 am, ransley wrote:


On Jun 10, 4:48 am, "HeyBub" wrote:


Bathtub liner?


You could also get the tub professionally refinished, but it's
probably gonna cost $400+.


I was reading this thread with great interest as my tub needs
refinishing, also. My house was built in the late 1920's and the
glaze in the bottom of the tub is gone and will stain quite easily due
to thousands of baths over the years. I really don't want to go to
the expense and mess of a whole new tub as I really do like this older
one. Would y'all recommend a liner or the professional ($400+)
refinishing?? I'm open to opinions and suggestions on both
applications.

I was in Home Depot a week or so ago and saw a display of refinishing
but really didn't stop to take a look and read the advertisement. It
was a sign your name and address type of thing for a call back on the
product. :-(

Zud cleaner or magic eraser worked on a very old tub in our house until we
could replace it.

CathyLee


"dpb" wrote in message ...
aemeijers wrote:
"dpb" wrote in message ...
Richard J Kinch wrote:
jwaterfield writes:

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity?
You cannot produce a porcelain finish without thousands of degrees of
temperature.

Nothing you can paint or otherwise coat on will be hard and durable
compared to porcelain glaze.
Not as hard as porcelain, no, but some of the epoxy restoration products
aren't too bad....if you're willing to spend a little money (or could
talk the landlord into it), might check your yellow pages for one of the
tile/counter/appliance repair guys. They may be able to do it for what
you can buy the supplies for retail...

Using one of those DIY tub refinish kits, or even having a company do a
'pro' refinish, without blessing by landlord, is probably a
lease-breaker, and will land OP in the street.
...

Valid point, but that's another question than the one posed...

Since OP has obviously had conversations on the subject w/ landlord and
gotten confirmation the complaint is valid and been rejected not on the
basis of the cosmetics being bad/objectionable but on functionality and is
still pursuing it, perhaps the next plan of attack was to suggest a
cosmetic fix rather than replacement??? Don't know, seems reasonable
(having never, fortunately, had to deal w/ landlords since "school daze"
when what the tub looked like wasn't a high priority on my radar...)

OP is probably long gone, but as you and others have also notee there are
other cleaning products and/methods out there. If OP had some idea of
what the cause(s) of the stain were and what the tub is actually made of,
it could possibly lead to some better or more specific remedies...

--

On Jun 10, 12:40?am, jwaterfield wrote:
Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.

I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.


There is a product I used called "ZAP". It worked immediately on the
stains in my tub, although the toilet which had rust stains took a
little elbow gease as well.

I don't remember where I got it, but here is a link I just found to
the website: http://www.zap-restorer.com/family.asp?fam_id=ZZTG

On Jun 11, 12:44 am, " wrote:
On Jun 10, 12:40?am, jwaterfield wrote:





Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

Thebathtubinmyapartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would bemyguess). The bowl of the tub has become sostainedover the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent ofmybuilding has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

Myquestion is this: would it be possible to refinish thebathtubin
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.

I really want to do something about this tub...evenmytoilet looks
cleaner than it.

There is a product I used called "ZAP". It worked immediately on the
stains inmytub, although the toilet which had rust stains took a
little elbow gease as well.

I don't remember where I got it, but here is a link I just found to
the website: http://www.zap-restorer.com/family.asp?fam_id=ZZTG- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I really appreciate it!

It sounds to me like there's no easy/cost effective way of going about
refinishing it. I suppose I could always keep trying out different
cleaners in the meantime, and think about heckling my superintendent
again.

Thanks again everyone!

My tub wasn't quite that bad, but it was dirty, and amazing ugly
(avocado green!).

I found a place that did "refinishing". It's a special acrylic product
that is applied with an electric charge to adhere, then baked or
chemically activated. It did an amazing job covering EVERYTHING. It's
not really a paint, but isn't a slip-on cover like Bathfitters does.
It is sort of like a very think epoxy. The total cost for a 1-piece
standup shower/tub surround was $500.

If you want, contact me offline and I'll see if I can dig up the
company name (they have franchises around the country).

On Jun 10, 1:40 am, jwaterfield wrote:
Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.

I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

The cheapest thing is to replace it. I just bought a new cast iron tub at Home Depot for $285. If
you are willing to spend the money and the landlord lets you, that is the way to go. Personally, I
would never put money into improving a property that someone else owns. If the landlord is that
anal, I would tell him you are not renewing your lease. I am sure that future renters may be bothred
enough by the yellowing of the tub to the point where he will have to replace it anyway.

Tony



On Sat, 09 Jun 2007 22:40:32 -0700, jwaterfield wrote:

Hello all. I was hoping for some guidance with a problem of mine....

The bathtub in my apartment is quite old. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't
been replaced since this building was built (sometime in the '70's
would be my guess). The bowl of the tub has become so stained over the
years that it's now a bright yellow, and has completely lost it's
glossy appearance.

I have tried all kinds of cleaning products, as well as having
bleached it repeatedly, all of which had zero effect. The
superintendent of my building has made it perfectly clear that she
will not have the tub replaced, as it "works perfectly fine,
discoloration aside."

My question is this: would it be possible to refinish the bathtub in
some capacity? I was considering a spray-can finish of some sort, but
I was unsure of the correct prep work involved, among other things.


I really want to do something about this tub...even my toilet looks
cleaner than it.

On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:48:21 -0700, Andrew Duane wrote:

My tub wasn't quite that bad, but it was dirty, and amazing ugly
(avocado green!).

I found a place that did "refinishing". It's a special acrylic product
that is applied with an electric charge to adhere, then baked or
chemically activated. It did an amazing job covering EVERYTHING. It's
not really a paint, but isn't a slip-on cover like Bathfitters does.
It is sort of like a very think epoxy. The total cost for a 1-piece
standup shower/tub surround was $500.

A landlord is not in the business to make a tenant happy. He is there to make money. So, if he can
replace the tub for $285 ()for a new cast iron) or spend $500 to have it refinished, which option do
you think he will opt for?

Tony

"Tony" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:48:21 -0700, Andrew Duane
wrote:

My tub wasn't quite that bad, but it was dirty, and amazing ugly
(avocado green!).

I found a place that did "refinishing". It's a special acrylic product
that is applied with an electric charge to adhere, then baked or
chemically activated. It did an amazing job covering EVERYTHING. It's
not really a paint, but isn't a slip-on cover like Bathfitters does.
It is sort of like a very think epoxy. The total cost for a 1-piece
standup shower/tub surround was $500.

A landlord is not in the business to make a tenant happy. He is there to
make money. So, if he can
replace the tub for $285 ()for a new cast iron) or spend $500 to have it
refinished, which option do
you think he will opt for?

Tony

French made