[Greenbuilding] renewing a cast iron tub

[David Bergman]

And I was just reading up on powder coating for tubs! We can remove 
the tub, and the thing then, I guess would be finding a coater with a 
big enough booth.

The idea of powder coating is much more appealing than some of the 
other finishes I've been reading about. (Laren: last I looked, which 
was a while ago, automotive painting involved really nasty stuff, and 
I don't think of car finishes as especially scratch resistant.  We 
had the existing kitchen cabinets in our apartment refinished 15 
years ago with auto lacquer by a friend -- rather than throwing them 
out and buying new, we turned the cheapo almond laminate with oak 
edge pull strips into hues of metallic blue -- it looks great but it 
definitely scratches and wears over time.)

Anyone know much about the durability of powder coating for this 
application? I just emailed a local tub spraying/reglazing company 
that says it uses electrostatic or powder coating.

David

At 05:28 PM 7/18/2011, you wrote:
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>The least toxic and most pleasing process would be powder coating 
>(if the tub can be moved). The tub would be sandblasted then coated 
>in a controlled environment. What is nice is you can have the 
>exterior done to the same degree of finish (if it is exposed as 
>well). It is actually not that expensive to have items powder coated 
>and probably the cleanest process.
>
>You can do it in-situ but it takes some time. The porcelain is a 
>glass finish so has to be etched (muriatic is the easiest). A 2 part 
>polyurethane (as in a boat paint) would be the most durable and 
>forgiving. It can work well with a roll and tip application and you 
>will be building up coats from a 2 part primer onward. It can be 
>finish wet sanded if there are imperfections and polished to a very 
>high gloss.  It is quite toxic to apply but considered inert upon setting.
>
>If you replace it you will be putting in a fibreglass/gel coat or 
>acrylic tub that represents far more 'finish' than what you would 
>use in restoring this tub so either approach would be good practice I think.
>
>John
>
>JOHN SALMEN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
>station design & millwork
>4465 UPHILL RD DUNCAN BC V9L6M7 250-748-7672 C 250-246-8541 F 250-748-7612
>
>
>
>From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org 
>[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of 
>David Bergman
>Sent: July-18-11 10:46 AM
>To: Green Building
>Subject: [Greenbuilding] renewing a cast iron tub
>
>In a current project of mine, there's a worn-looking but otherwise 
>good cast iron tub that perfectly fits the tight space of its NYC 
>bathroom. I'm wondering if there are any durable and environmentally 
>decent methods to renew/refinish the tub, either in situ or sending 
>it out. (We are replacing the tile, so removing the tub and sending 
>it out for refinishing is not out of the question.)
>
> From what I've researched so far:
>1. The DIY finishes are terrible -- both environmentally and 
>esthetically, as well as durably.
>2. There are at least two types of in situ refinishing services. One 
>is apparently far better than the other in terms of durability, but 
>both involve toxic fumes. The resulting finish, I've heard, may not 
>look like the original porcelain.
>3. I've heard rumor of places you can send the tub to that give it a 
>new "dip coat" that's more similar to the original finish, but 
>haven't found who does it. Nor do I know anything about the toxicity 
>of that process.
>
>Does anyone have any further info on this?  I hate to remove the tub 
>and then replace it with a new one that is similar in size but 
>doesn't fit as well or look as right.. And I've searched for vintage 
>replacements.
>
>Thanks,
>
>David
>
>
>David Bergman  RA   LEED AP
>DAVID BERGMAN ARCHITECT / FIRE & WATER LIGHTING + FURNITURE
>architecture . interiors . ecodesign . lighting . furniture
>bergman at cyberg.com    <http://www.cyberg.com/>www.cyberg.com
>241 Eldridge Street #3R, New York, NY 10002
>t 212 475 3106    f 212 677 7291
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David Bergman  RA   LEED AP
DAVID BERGMAN ARCHITECT / FIRE & WATER LIGHTING + FURNITURE
architecture . interiors . ecodesign . lighting . furniture
bergman at cyberg.com    www.cyberg.com
241 Eldridge Street #3R, New York, NY 10002
t 212 475 3106    f 212 677 7291  
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