Kids play rough no matter where they are – even in the bathtub! If your son's submarine has launched a missile into the bottom of the fiberglass tub and caused it to crack, he doesn't have to go down with the ship – you can repair the damage the submarine has done. Here, you'll learn how to make the repairs to your fiberglass tub so the tub fun can continue without any water leaking under the tub.
Supply List
- Liquid dish soap, bucket, and hot water
- Strong paper towels or clean cloths
- Fiberglass bonding agent, filler, and cloth
- Epoxy gel
- Sealant
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Paintbrush
- Putty knife
Prep Work
Before repairs can be made, you need to clean the surface very, very well. If you allow soap scum and body oils to remain, the repairs will not last. Add a tablespoon of liquid dish soap to a one-gallon bucket of very hot water. This mixture will remove the soap scum and oils without leaving soap residue behind. Once clean, rinse it very well and allow it to dry.
Repair the Crack
Scour the area using fine-grit sandpaper. You want to sand the area extending about one-inch beyond the crack. Lightly dampen a paper towel to wipe the area to remove the dust left behind by sanding. Give the area a few minutes to fully dry.
Now, use a paintbrush to apply a thin layer of the bonding agent. Coat the entire area that you've sanded. Refer to the label on the product packaging to learn how long the particular brand that you've selected needs to bond and dry fully.
Once the bonding agent has dried, apply a thin coat of the filler using the putty knife. Do your best to create a smooth finish so that you don't have as much sanding to do later. Let the filler dry.
Begin sanding the area with the fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the finish. Wipe the dust away using a lightly dampened paper towel.
Cut the fiberglass cloth so that it extends two-inches beyond the crack. Mix the epoxy gel as directed and apply it to the area, extending two-inches beyond the crack. Spread the gel smoothly and place the cloth over it. Coat the cloth with a layer of the gel and let it dry.
Once dry, the final step is to apply the coat of sealer using a paintbrush. Give the tub a day to dry before using it.
There's no need to put a stop to the battles going on in your bathtub. When damage occurs – make the repairs and keep the bath time fun going. For more information, contact a company like Stanley Avenue Tub Co.
