Step By Step Procedure And Tips Of Fixing A Crack In A Plastic Bathtub
Though the plastic bathtubs are the most affordable as well as the easiest type of bathtub to get install, the plastic tubs also come with a downside as they can crack due to accidents or faulty installation. Thankfully, the user can easily patch up a small crack to keep the bathtub in the working condition rather than going for a bathroom remodeling. The step by step procedure and some important tips of fixing a crack in a plastic bathtub are as follows:
- The first step is to clean the plastic bathtub as normally and pay special attention to the area right around the cracked area as this will help to ensure that there is no debris remains that can otherwise come with the bond of patch material. Leave it to dry for at least 24 hours.
- Cover any of the cracks that are wider than 1/4 inch using a layer of the fiberglass mesh that will span on each side of the crack by at least a half-inch. Cutout the mesh to fit using a utility knife and then position it on the crack.
- Mix up the filler material according to the instructions of manufacturer's, if needed. Some of the fillers usually come in caulking tubes, while the others in squeeze tubs and the buckets. Read the label on the particular type if there is a need to mix up anything.
- Now apply the filler material with the help of the putty knife on top of the cracked area. If there is a need for mesh tape, then remove it before applying a filler material, after that place the mesh right on top of the filler and then apply one more layer to cover up the mesh.
- Cover up all the cracks completely until the excess filler is oozing out from the joints. Now, scrape the cracks so that they will be flush with the rest of the plastic bathtub with the help of the putty knife and leave the mixture to harden for a few hours.
- Sand down all the surface of the patch after it has completely dried to smooth it over. Use fine-grit sandpaper for sanding to avoid scratching the bathtub surface. Clean away all of the sanding dust with the help of a sponge, leave it to dry and finally apply any paint if required.
Important Tips
- Patching a plastic bathtub is not an accurate solution, and there are no such items that look an invisible patch and this is due to the difference that is in colors and also the difficulty in matching the color of the plastic bathtub. But a patch can save hundreds of dollars needed in repairs.
- Commercial patch kits will include all the components needed, like mixing stick, sandpaper, putty knife and in some cases dye that can be added to the compound to help match the bathtub better.
- For best results, it is advisable to stick with the epoxy-based patch material because of its hardness.