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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-CA link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>John<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:80%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:80%;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>JOHN SALMEN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:80%'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:80%;font-family:"Eras Light ITC","sans-serif";color:#FF3300'>station design & millwork<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT Condensed","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>4465 UPHILL RD DUNCAN BC V9L6M7 250-748-7672 C 250-246-8541 F 250-748-7612<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>David Bergman<br><b>Sent:</b> July-18-11 10:46 AM<br><b>To:</b> Green Building<br><b>Subject:</b> [Greenbuilding] renewing a cast iron tub<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.)<br><br>From what I've researched so far:<br>1. The DIY finishes are terrible -- both environmentally and esthetically, as well as durably.<br>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.<br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>Thanks,<br><br>David<br><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><p>David Bergman RA LEED AP<br><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:gray'>DAVID BERGMAN</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:gray'> ARCHITECT / <b>FIRE & WATER</b> LIGHTING + FURNITURE<br></span><span style='color:gray'>architecture . interiors . </span><span style='color:teal'>ecodesign</span><span style='color:gray'> . lighting . furniture<br></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:gray'>bergman@cyberg.com <a href="http://www.cyberg.com/">www.cyberg.com</a><u> </u></span><span style='color:gray'><br></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:gray'>241 Eldridge Street #3R, New York, NY 10002<br></span><span style='color:gray'>t </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:gray'>212 475 3106 f 212 677 7291</span><span style='color:gray'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>