How To Repair The Fiberglass Bedside On A 2000 Silverado

Almost modernistic homes take advantage of the benefits of updated manufacturing and materials, containing fiberglass or acrylic bathtubs rather than traditional porcelain-coated cast atomic number 26 or stainless steel. Affordable, attractive, and durable, fiberglass is nevertheless prone to smashing and pitting overtime.

Fortunately, repairing a cracked or damaged tub or shower pan is a straightforward DIY task that well-nigh homeowners can do to save themselves coin over an expensive replacement. The cost to hire a professional to fix problems may prove worth the minor investment to ensure the cause of the issue is addressed to prevent hereafter bug.

This guide covers the basics for fixing all shower floors, including bases and pans, but information technology mainly focuses on the most common outcome – fiberglass tub repair.

This project costs an average of $20 to $240, depending on the extent of repairs needed and whether you rent a professional or handle fixing the damage on your own. Pocket-size damage oft simply requires an epoxy kit, available at most dwelling house comeback stores. More than all-encompassing cracks and chips may require drywall mud, special two-component foam, and patches. Even at the loftier end, repairing is considerably less expensive than installing a new tub, and information technology commonly only takes 4 to six hours including drying fourth dimension.

On This Page:

1. Repairing a Fiberglass Tub
   1. Tools Needed
   2. Assessing the Extent of the Damage
   3. Purchasing a Kit
   4. Steps
2. Repairing a Fiberglass Shower Pan
3. Care & Maintenance Tips
4. Acrylic Tub & Shower
5. Fixing a Tile Pan
   1. Tools
   2. Steps
6. DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Repairing a Fiberglass Tub

No matter how bad a crevice or an indentation may wait, the process is the same equally if information technology was a little pit. In either instance, it's surprisingly simple. By using a basic epoxy kit with a few essential items, repairing a fiberglass tub takes as little equally one twenty-four hour period, with most of that time spent every bit the compound dries.

Materials and Tools Needed

In full general, this project requires minimal tools. For starters, you'll demand household cleaner and a sponge to clean the expanse before getting started. Additionally, you'll demand:

• Protective gear (goggles, respirator or mask and gloves)
• Rotary tool
• Drill
• fourscore-grit sanding paper
• Fine grit sanding paper
• Cellophane record
• 2-component foam
• Fiberglass mesh/cloth
• Fiberglass repair kit

What Blazon of Repair? Crevice, Chip or Hole?

Assessing the impairment is the first step to determining the type of repair needed. Over time, heavy apply tin leave fiberglass, acrylic and other tub and shower materials vulnerable to keen and chipping. Additionally, if something heavy drops on the surface, it could exit a big crack or a substantial hole, especially if the base isn't properly supported.

Superficial chips, cracks and scratches may just require uncomplicated filling and refinishing. But for large ones, a professional should address the potential underlying problem and add extra support to the construction before patching and refinishing the base.

What to Look for in a Bathtub Repair Kit

To make your repair uncomplicated and stress-costless, look for an all-inclusive kit that has everything y'all need to fix most bug. Minimally, kits include:

• Polyester resin/epoxy in putty or paste grade
• Liquid hardener
• Mixing stick and tray or mat
• Sandpaper of various grits
• Protective gloves
• Colorants for mutual tub hues (i.due east. almond, off-white), if needed
• Finishing polish

For larger cracks and pits, it may also exist necessary to purchase fiberglass mesh to reinforce the putty and arrive less probable to dimple. As a rule, use mesh for whatever crack wider than a quarter-inch or an open hole that is likewise large to fill in with the resin mixture alone. More extensive bug caused by improper installation and support may require drilling shallow holes in the tub, filling those holes with two-component foam, and adding fiberglass patches earlier using a refinishing kit.

Render to Top

Step-by-Stride Guide

Filling a pocket-size hole or crack in fiberglass is a simple process, merely y'all should set aside a whole solar day to permit fourth dimension for the mixture to harden between steps. For this reason, this is a good task to begin in the morning and complete throughout the twenty-four hours between other home comeback projects. Repairs are similar for acrylic tubs, just we'll cover the differences between the two processes below.

1. 1. Ready the Surface area – Before getting started, clean the area with household cleaner and a sponge. Use rubbing alcohol, acetone, or a like solvent capable of removing oils, soap scum, and glass fibers.

1. 1. Drill every bit Needed – When a lack of support is the root of the problem, you lot need to address the issue head on. Instead of removing the tub and rebuilding the support organisation, drill half dozen to eight minor holes in the tub and add cream (see adjacent step). If y'all aren't working on the underlying support, simply y'all're repairing a scissure, use a rotary tool with fourscore-grit sand paper to grind a bevel that's near 1 1/2 inches wide centered on the fissure.

1. 1. Add Two-Component Foam – For actress back up, inject two-component foam into the holes that you drilled. Information technology sets in a few minutes and creates a strong foundation.

1. 1. Employ a Patch – If using fiberglass mesh, lay it over the crevice or hole to measure, and then trim it so that information technology is slightly larger than the opening it is to cover. More i layer may be necessary for specially deep holes.

1. 1. Mix the Filler – While wearing protective gloves, mix the resin putty and hardener as directed past your repair kit, adding colorant if working with a non-white tub. Use the provided mixing stick and tray and put information technology atop a piece of flake cardboard to forestall accidental spills onto porous bath surfaces.

1. 1. Repair the Crack, Bit or Hole – Immediately spread the mixture into the crack or hole, or on top of the fiberglass mesh. Take care to work information technology in thoroughly to get it into all crevices and forbid dimpling. Don't be afraid to pile the mixture atop the hole to fill information technology in completely; you volition be sanding it later.

1. 1. Allow the Mixture to Set up – Let the mixture to set upwards in the hole for 2-3 hours or longer for larger, deeper holes. Once gear up, employ the sandpaper to advisedly smooth the surface. This might take some time and elbow grease.

1. Refinish the Surface – Use the finishing shine to complete the patch and help the new area blend into the tub.

Prepare to showtime your Tub or Shower Pan Repairs?

Find Pros

Return to Pinnacle

Repairing a Fiberglass Shower Pan

If you're repairing the flooring of a fiberglass stall, the method you use to complete a patch is no different than in a larger tub. However, because about of the surface of the base of operations is horizontal and apartment, it is possible to set and reinforce larger holes and pits with scrap plywood in add-on to epoxy, but only if you take admission to the dorsum or bottom of the pan. Some quick steps are:

1. Spread epoxy on the plywood and press it onto the crack, from the unexposed side of the pan, to seal it.
2. Apply the upper layer of epoxy on the exposed surface and sand it downward.

Return to Top

Fiberglass Tub Care and Maintenance Tips

Like most domicile fixtures, when it comes to extending the life of your tub, preventing issues is the all-time solution. Your first line of defense it regular cleaning with the right blazon of cleaner and methods. This fabric responds all-time to balmy soap, like dish lather, or fifty-fifty just a paste of baking soda and water. This is because the coating is thin and subject to wear over time. For this same reason, it is important to never use annoying cleaners on these fixtures.

To maintain the luster of a single- or double-slice fiberglass tub, you might as well consider giving it a regular polishing using automotive finishing products designed for fiberglass. Avoid using waxing products on this type of floor as this poses a safety take chances when the shower is in use.

Set to first your Tub or Shower Pan Repairs?

Discover Pros

Render to Meridian

Acrylic Tub & Shower Repair

Acrylic is another commonly used fabric that can often exist repaired instead of replaced. The steps are like, but slightly unlike.

1. 1. Drill one/4-inch holes in a one-foot square around the damage, being careful to avoid drilling all the way through.

1. 1. Fill the holes with insulating foam to halt the acrylic from flexing after y'all've repaired the crack. Remove any foam leaking from the holes with a craft knife before sanding over the dried foam with a 240-grade sandpaper.

1. 1. Drill holes at either end of the crack, avoiding drilling through the acrylic.

1. 1. Use a two-office polyester filler to repair the harm, spreading it evenly over the drill holes and the crack with a rubber spreader.

1. 1. Once the filler is dry, sand it smooth and level with the rest of the tub's surface.

1. 1. Wipe over the area with denatured alcohol to remove any dust.

1. Apply bathtub repair paint to create a polish, well-matched surface. In one case the pigment dries, add together a final layer of urethane chemical compound, and vitrify the expanse to create a smooth, hard finish.

Return to Top

How to Repair a Tile Shower Floor

If the scissure is small, you may be able to repair it without incurring the price of retiling the area. Otherwise, you lot'll demand to remove the damaged tiles and replace them before re-grouting.

Tools & Materials Needed

• Grout saw
• Drill with a masonry flake
• Chisel
• Scraper
• Notched trowel
• Tile agglutinative or thinset
• Grout
• Sponge/rags

Step-by-Step Guide

When removing the tile,

1. 1. Use a grout saw to remove the grout surrounding the affected tile/tiles.

1. 1. Drill a pigsty through the center of the damaged tile, or several holes in a large tile.

1. 1. Pause the tile into small pieces using the chisel, and use the scraper to remove them along with the thinset or tile agglutinative backside the damaged tile.

1. 1. Utilise a fresh coat of thinset or tile adhesive with a notched trowel or a putty knife if you're working in a small expanse.

1. 1. Printing the new tile in place and permit the agglutinative dry before grouting over the repair.

1. Use a damp sponge to remove excess grout from the tile. Allow the grout to cure before using the shower.

When repairing the tile for a minor chip or crack,

1. 1. Make clean the area with a mixture of oxygen bleach pulverization and water.

1. 1. Utilize epoxy glue over the area to level it with the rest of the tile.

1. 1. Paint over the repair with a porcelain impact up kit to lucifer it to the undamaged tile.

1. 1. Let the paint dry and add together a coat of clear urethane.

1. One time everything is dry out, wipe over the area with a damp cloth.

Ready to start your Tub or Shower Pan Repairs?

Discover Pros

Return to Top

DIY Considerations

Depending on the extent of the damage, this is a simple DIY project. If yous decide to DIY this fix, make sure y'all allow yourself plenty of fourth dimension to let the epoxy and other materials used in the repair dry between steps. Additionally, consider covering the area beyond the surface you're working on with cellophane record to foreclose the refinishing materials from running over the intact part of the tub or shower pan.

If you suspect that the crack or hole has created water impairment in the subfloor, or if the project feels like information technology'due south more than you desire to take on, hire a pro to do the work for y'all.

Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/fiberglass-shower-repair/

Posted by: beadlescohnes.blogspot.com

Share this post