But you can only expect to get about 15 years out of one of these tubs. Cast Iron: Cast iron tubs are the most durable and sturdy type. The Pros. Yet walk into many bathroom remodels or new homes under construction and you will find bathtubs brimming with all manner of debris: paint cans, thinset, drywall joint compound (known as mud), grout, and mortar, among other detritus. Pat. Coy fish ponds or creatively designed water tanks with plants are nice things that personalize backyards while allowing attractively reuse and recycle old bathroom tubs for outdoor home decorating. Inman calls FRP a least favorite bathtub … On this page, find handy tips on preventing rust stains in bathtubs. Once it heats, it will keep water warm for a long time, which makes it ideal for longer soaking. Rust stains can mar your fiberglass or acrylic bathtub even if the windows are closed to keep out air; it's the oxygen in the water that does the dirty work. J and J Bathtub Refinishing can make your tub look like new. If you have a fiberglass bathtub, choose a cleaner that can be used on that material. Reply. Read about the care and repair of these units. Do keep in mind though, in order to install a cast iron tub in a particular area, you will want to make sure there is enough support for the weight. This convenient spray gel formula quickly and easily removes rust stains from vertical and hard-to-reach surfaces in and around the home, including bathtubs, showers, toilets and more. Change the color of your bathtub to give your bathroom a new updated look. Photo by William LeMond on Pexels . It's a nice big place, but kind of a fixer-upper, wi… This acrylic tub measures 72 inches, giving you plenty of room to stretch out and soak up the relaxing whirlpool effect of this jetted bathtub. Cleaning Fiberglass Surfaces. An inexpensive alternative to stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron tubs, this lightweight material consists of multiple layers that quickly wear down over time without proper care and cleaning. Often times the tub is in great shape but has lost its luster. This means an acrylic tub can last up to 30 years. If you find the bathtub has a little give when pressed, it may be either acrylic or fiberglass; acrylic also tends to scratch or chip more easily than porcelain and enamel bathtubs. Cast iron retains heat better … We can probably pretty much instantly rule out FRP as being the best bathtub material. This may take several days of repeating the process to completely clean the sink. When it comes to commercial products that are used for removing rust from bathtubs, brands like The Works, Bar Keeper’s Friend, ZUD, Wink, Whisk, CLR etc., are said to be effective. A standard new bathtub starts around $200-$600, but can be $800-$3,000 or more, depending on size and features such as water jets. You can fix it for about $1.50 and no elbow grease.I recently moved into an apartment in Berkeley. Fiberglass and steel are less expensive but not as durable as cast iron, which keeps the heat in better. After finishing the work, which will last a couple of hours, leave the bathroom to air out for a couple of days. If your bathtub sounds metallic or you have an old claw-foot tub, it’s probably enamel. Iron OUT ® Rust Stain Remover Spray. Fiberglass. The bathtub looks are quite enough to determine the tub material but there are also few other tricks that can easily help the user to find out other possibilities and some among them are defined as follows: Press The Surface Of The Tub: Start by knocking or pressing the outer tub wall. Cast iron bathtubs can be turned into small water features that beautify backyard designs and add a natural feel to yard landscaping. An enamel bathtub and a porcelain bathtub look similar but you can test the difference by applying a magnet to the surface; if the magnet adheres, the bathtub is enamel over metal (iron or steel). Bathtub refinishing companies also create tub liners with acrylic or use it in spray form to coat an old tub. This alcove bathtub is made out of extremely durable cast iron and comes with an apron front for a three-wall alcove. The stains are usually found under the faucet spout and handles, but they can form around anything else made of metal, such as a soap dish. They offer a wide variety of colors. Is the finish of your old bathtub worn out or just plain ugly? Step 5 – Use a clean cloth and rinse out the sink with warm water. Cast-Iron – The enamel finish that is used on cast iron bathtubs offers a large variety of colors. I have tried so many things to get the orange iron stains out of my tub/shower, the only thing that at least lightened them was TSP from HD or Lowes. Whether your bath tub is fiberglass or cast iron, at some point it will start to show signs of wear. If you’re tight on space, however, a smaller 60-inch version of this tub is also available. Enamel tubs, which are actually made out of cast iron or steel and coated in enamel, are also pretty popular, according to Merry Maids. Acrylic and fiberglass tubs are lightweight and affordable. Follow these 13 tricks for cleaning a bathroom faster and better. Avoid abrasive cleaners that contain fine sand. This is the preferred bathtub stain remover, to use on the delicate surface of an acrylic tub. Get rid of tough stains from a fiberglass bathtub and clean grime, mildew, and soap scum from fiberglass materials with ease by using the right materials.. Steel and cast-iron tubs are heavy-duty and resilient. Acrylic fiberglass tub care is a breeze if you keep up with it. I even noticed a cool navy blue one from Signature Hardware . How to Turn Your Bleach-stained-red Bathtub White Again: If you tried to bleach your tub whiter but it came out looking like a murder scene, DON'T PANIC! Welcome to J & J Bathtub Refinishing. Learn More >> $ 5.30 Fiberglass is an easy-to-install material often used to make bathtubs and showers. Bathtubs are not meant to be catch-alls for construction debris or building materials. Acrylic used in tubs is thicker than fiberglass. Cast iron tubs are extremely strong and long-lasting. A fiberglass bathtub is made by forming layers of fiberglass into the desired shape, then coating it with Gelcoat resin. On the budget-friendly side of things, you have acrylic and fiberglass (FRP) tubs. Fiberglass tubs and shower surrounds tend to scratch easy with abrasive cleaners. Ease of Repair 1. According to Bob Vila, FRP tubs typically wear out quickly and have a useful life of just 12 years. Cleaning fiberglass is easy using warm water, white vinegar, and other household cleaning products. jug. The average lifespan of a fiberglass tub is 10-15 years. Cast iron bathtubs are made when molten iron is poured directly into a structure and then molded into the required shape. These heavy tubs are made of iron with a coating of porcelain enamel tough to scratch and easy to clean. A fiberglass tub’s affordability is one of its main advantages. For yellow stains and soap scum, vinegar will do the trick. Cast iron tubs come in a variety of color options including stainless steel. Cast Iron Bathtub. Getting your bathtub clean doesn't have to require a bunch of cleaning products. Helpful. Acrylic is a popular material because manufacturers can mold it into unique shapes, which proves especially handy for large, freestanding soaker tubs. If you need to replace your cast iron sink, check out these options. Wash and disinfect the tub, and you can hop in it again. Step 6 – Repeat steps 3-5 until the stains are completely gone. As opposed to the traditional white, this alcove bathtub comes in the color of cotton is suited to any kind of bathroom – traditional or modern in style. Average costs and comments from CostHelper's team of professional journalists and community of users. In about half a day it creates easier, step-thru access in the front of any existing fiberglass, acrylic, steel or cast iron bathtub. Fiberglass/Acrylic – These two materials are less expensive and are very easy to find in hardware store. Weather conditions are an essential factor when doing bathtub refinishing. Does it have scratches or cracks? 4. Pro – Affordable. View More It’s also harder, which makes it stronger and less prone to cracking. AsktheBuilder.com: Cast iron fixtures, fiberglass shower enclosures and acrylic bathtubs are all great choices. The TubcuT® is an adaptive tub conversion that is available nationally through Certified TubcuT® Installers. Manufacturers then smooth out the structure and cover it with a thick enamel layer. Sometimes you may experience staining on your fiberglass that is hard to remove. It can provide the classic look of a clawfoot tub without the weight of cast iron. Iron Out all-purpose liquid rust and stain remover is used to remove rust and stain deposits found on toilets, sinks, tubs, tile, fiberglass and acrylic tubs and showers, stucco, and exterior surfaces. Don't replace your bathtub but have it refinished or reglazed to look like new. Before you decide to rip it out and replace it, give the professionals at Touch of Gloss a call. The EverClean stands out among bathtubs with jets for … See 4 Previous . Fiberglass, although more prone to cracking, is also easy to repair at home. 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