A cracked bathtub can lead you to make problems like water leakage, you can cut yourself on the cracks, etc. So if changing the bathtub is not an option for you right now why not fix it properly you won’t even need to call your plumber to do this job. Here we have explained a full procedure that anyone can follow without any confusion.
To fix a crack in a plastic bathtub all you need is a fiberglass mesh, some sandpaper, epoxy, and paint to match your bathtub. Measure your crack and cut the mesh accordingly. Apply a layer of epoxy to the crack and lay the mesh down. Then apply another layer of epoxy and let it dry. Lastly, sand the epoxy to smooth it out and paint.
If you are dealing with your cracked bathtub then here are some perfect solutions to fix it right away without needing anyone’s help. Just read through carefully and buy the stuff you’ll need for this job.
3 Easy Steps To Know How To Fix A Crack In A Plastic Bathtub
Fixing a crack on a plastic bathtub is similar to fixing cracks on fiberglass or acrylic bathtubs and the materials are also pretty similar. If you are looking for a solution to fix the cracks on your plastic bathtub then follow the process explained down below:
Step 1
The first step to fixing any cracked bathtub is to sand it nicely. This way you can remove any dirt or paint stuffed around it and make the surface scratchy to hold on to the mesh. Make sure to wipe off the surface with alcohol.
Step 2
Now measure out the cracked area you want to repair and cut the mesh accordingly. Now pour serin into a plastic cap and use a wooden stick to apply it on the crack as a first layer and smooth out the edges. After 5 to 10 minutes lay down the mesh on top of the serine and push it so it sticks to the serine. Now add your second serin layer the same way and cover all the edges.
Step 3
Leave the serin to cure for 24 hours so it dries up nicely. Then take sandpaper and sand down all the edges, the bumps, and all the uneven surfaces so it looks nice and flat. Then wipe the sanded surface with alcohol to apply paint to match the ready of the area.
Plastic Bathtub Repair Kit
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Fiberglass mesh
- Popsicle stick
- Plastic cup
- Epoxy
- Hardliner
- 80-grit sandpaper
How To Fix A Crack In A Fiberglass Bathtub
If you have a fiberglass bathtub, you must know how easy it is to chip it or crack it. They are so much fragile and more prone to get damaged. But the good thing is they are also straightforward to fix. No matter how big the crack is or if there is a hole you can quickly fix those all by yourself. So let’s see what things you’ll need for the fixing:
- Fiberglass resin (that’s what’s going to turn hard and seal it up the fiberglass)
- A fiberglass cloth (will add strength)
- The hardener (will turn the resin solid)
- Scissors
- 80-grid sandpaper
- A disposable bowl (to mix the resin)
Step 1: Prep the area
To prepare the cracked area you need to sand off well until there are no contaminants and no rough spots. Then you want to get any kind of coating or stuff off, that could chip or flake and eventually wear out due to wear and tear. You need fiberglass on fiberglass contact or metal on fiberglass contact. Something strong that’s going to hold for a long time.
Step 2: Cover The Crack With A Fiberglass
Simply place a piece of fiberglass over the crack and then trace the diameter of the crack. So that way you can cut the extra part off and get a nice even surface.
Step 3: Prepare The Resin
Now take a bowl and pour ¼ of the resin bottle and mix 1/ of the hardener and mix well with a stick to create a consistent and even solution. Now apply a fair amount of the mix into the fiberglass area. Spread out and add more as needed. The consistency would be looking like maple syrup.
Step 4: Spread Put The Resin
Now put some gloves on. Use a popsicle stick to spread out the mix on the fiberglass. Evenly smooth out the surface with the resin mix to create a good seal across the entire damaged area and the entire piece of the fiberglass that you used underneath.
The fiberglass will harden in just 10 minutes and a full day to fully cure and after a full day, you can just sand it down and start smoothing it around and apply paint on the surface area
How To Patch A Crack In A Plastic Bathtub
To fix a crack in a plastic bathtub follow the steps down below:
- Sand down the cracked area
- Cut a mesh according to the measurement of the crack
- Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol
- Pour some epoxy on a cup; enough to cover two layers; one will be on the base and the other layer will be on the top
- Use a wooden stick to cover the base of the crack
- Now lay the mesh on top of the epoxy layer and push it down a bit
- Now apply the other layer of the epoxy and smooth it out
- Let the crack cure for 24 hours
- Use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface and remove any bumps
Will Flex Seal Fix A Cracked Bathtub
Flex seal liquid is a super thick rubber coating that you can brush, roll, dip or pour. Before you start to use flex seals make sure to read all the manufacturer’s guidelines to remain on the safe side. It’s always a good idea to use protective gloves when you are using a flex seal.
When you are using a flex seal make sure the room has enough air circulation and no fire or spark around it. To use this in a cracked bathtub
- Use Loctite foam, painters tape, a quarter-inch drill bit, and a painter’s brush
- To find the squishy spots step onto the bathtub and locate the hollow spots and use tape to mark those spots
- Now drill those spots and fill up those empty places with Loctite foam spray, let the foam cure for an hour. Then scrape off the excess
- Now apply a flex seal onto the cracks using a brush and make sure it coats all the cracks. Use a dot of the seal on the drilled areas and let sit dry for 24 hours
- When the seal is completely dry use a 120- grid and sand the excess seal to smooth the surface
- Now paint the surface to match the hole tub area
How To Repair A Large Hole In A Bathtub
Repairing any large hole in a bathtub is fairly an easy process that anyone can do at home and you only need some simple ingredients to fix it and no need for any heavy tools.
Just sand down the surface you have cracks on. Cut a mesh according to the size of your crack and lay it on the crack. Now mix resin and hardener in a cup and pour the mix on the mess to cover the area. You can do two coats of it and let it cure for a day. Then use the sandpaper to flatten and smoothen the area. Lastly, use paint to cover the area and match the tub.
How To Fix A Cracked Bathtub | 7 Simple Steps
Fixing a cracked bathroom is an easy task to do all by yourself and it will save you a lot of money. All you need is just a few tools and some guidelines for the whole process. If you are also fixing a crack in your bathtub then follow the steps to fully seal the crack.
Step 1
The first thing you need to do is prepare the area your bathtub has a crack. Use sandpaper to carefully sand down the cracked area so there is no peeling or treating that happens later and this will smooth out the surface for the mesh to sit on. Also, it will remove the top shiny layer making it rough.
Step 2
Now use a quarter-inch drill bit to drill holes on each side of the crack. This way if there is any bump or hollow space underneath you can fill it up through those holes. Use tapes on the marked area so you can drill easily.
Step 3
Now take a plastic cup and pour ¼ bottle of epoxy and ¼ of hardener and mix with a wooden stick which will look like maple syrup and smooth thick consistency. As this mixture will harden up pretty quickly you will need to hurry up.
Step 4
Now measure the area you need to seal off and cut a piece of the mesh according to your measurement. Tape down the area you’re going to work on. Use rubbing alcohol to clean off the area.
Step 5
After drilling the holes use a silicone sprayer to fill out the hollow spaces underneath. Let the excess silicon dry. This way you can clean it later easily. After spraying you need to let it dry so the base hardens.
Step 6
Now lay down the mesh on the crack and pour one layer of the epoxy mix. Smoothly spread out the mix and cover all the edges nicely. Then apply the second layer and smooth it out again. Leave it to harden for one day.
Step 7
When the epoxy is fully dry use sandpaper to flatten out the edges and remove any bumps. Now clean the surface and apply color to the fixed area so it matches with the rest of the tub.
How To Fix A Chipped Bathtub
- Sand down the area
- Lay down a piece of mesh
- Apply a thin layer of epoxy
- Let it dry
- Sand out the surface again
- Paint the newly fixed area to match the whole tub
How To Restore A Plastic Bathtub
To seal a crack on a plastic bathtub is a fairly easy process and if you have a small one this hack here will save you from buying a new one. All you need is a heat gun and a spoon or a knife to seal off the crack.
So first, you need to heat your metal spoon with the glue gun nicely. Now put the hot metal spoon on the crack to melt it a bit. This way the plastic will melt and seal on its own. You might need to press the hot spoon on the crack to close off the crack.
How To Fix Hairline Crack In Fiberglass Tub
To fix a thin hairline-like crack in a fiberglass tub use a fiberglass mesh and epoxy. Cut down the mesh accordingly and apply epoxy on top. Make it smoother as much as possible, there is no gap or bump or edge sticking out. After it is fully dry, sand it down and apply paint to cover the fixed area.
Final Verdict
If you have cracks on your bathtub which is leaking then you need to immediately fix them if not replace them. If you have read the whole thing then you must know how you can do that all by yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can You Repair A Crack In A Plastic Bath?
Yes, you can. Whether you can fix it like regular bathtubs using mesh and epoxy or if the crack is small enough you can just melt down the plastic using a heat gun and fix the crack.
How Do You Fix A Hairline Crack In A Plastic Bathtub?
To fix a hairline-like crack use a heat gun to melt down the plastic and a spoon to fill out the crack using the same melted plastic in your tub. This way you will not see any cracks or bumps.
Will Flex Seal Fix A Cracked Bathtub?
Yes! Flex Seal is a rubber sealant that will surely and perfectly fix any kind of big or small cracks in your bathtub. Just use it like an epoxy sealant with a mesh underneath.
How Do I Know If My Tub Is Plastic Or Fiberglass?
Usually, you can check this information by asking the manufacturers or from the store you bought it from. Or you can check the cracks on the tub. If the tub is plastic you’ll see holes or hair-like cracks on the tub. And in the fiberglass, there will be cheap ping and tearing on the tub. Plastic tubs are much thicker and denser. And fiberglass bathtubs are much thinner than plastic ones.
How Do You Fix A Small Crack In An Acrylic Tub?
Use epoxy and mesh to cover up the crack.
Is My Shower Plastic Or Fiberglass?
Fiberglass showers have a little give on them which makes them flexible and you can almost bend them a bit. When comes to plastic it is much harder and thick and won’t bend.
What Are Plastic Bathtubs Made Of?
When it comes to plastic bathtubs there are different kinds of materials used to give their actual shape and consistency to hold pressure. Those materials include ABS, resin, polyester, etc. All of these materials are mixed to make a plastic bathtub. So that’s why they come a lot cheaper than other bathtubs like fiberglass or acrylic.
Can You Paint A Plastic Shower?
Yes, you can. The paints that are usually used for fiberglass or acrylic bathtubs are not for plastic ones. For plastic shower pans, you must use epoxy-based paints to hold on to the plastic.
Can A Cracked Bathtub Be Repaired?
Yes! Any kind of cracked bathtub can be repaired and repainted later on to make it look new.
How Do You Fix A Crack In A Plastic Bathtub?
The process of repairing a cracked plastic bathtub is similar to fiberglass or acrylic ones. All you need is a mesh and epoxy layer on the crack.
Can You Repair A Cracked Fiberglass Tub?
Yes! You can.
Can A Crack In An Acrylic Bath Be Repaired?
Yes! The process to fix an acrylic bath is exactly similar to the fiberglass bath. All you need is epoxy, hardener, sandpaper, and mesh.