By Kerry Knight
A question I am often asked, “Is it better to buy a new cast iron and porcelain
tub or to restore it to like new condition?” This is a great question, however
the answer I often give is not the one people are expecting, especially if the
old tub has been in the family a long time.
Are you
an Antique Lover?
Many antique lovers have gone out in search of them. A
purchase of a discarded antique claw foot tub could range from $200-400. If
they are fortunate enough to locate one in decent shape, they are looking at a
number of refurbishment stages to bring it to an acceptable, finished
condition. First, the outside of the tub, (cast iron) is no doubt, rusted or
has several coats of lead paint from many years of use. The tub will have to be
sandblasted to bring the cast iron back to its original form. This can be
expensive, sometimes $100 or more. Then the outside must be primed and painted
again so that the cast iron doesn't rust again. Left unfinished, it will rust
quickly, when exposed to the elements.
The porcelain will then be the center of attention. What
shape is it in? Most old tubs will have chips, missing porcelain, scratches,
and deep stains, all which require professional refinishing. Most refinishers
who work on this type of tub will charge $700 or more to repair the porcelain
and paint the inside of the tub.
Let's add up the cost so far.
Cost of the old tub - $400
Sandblasting - $100
Refinishing - $700
Replacing Legs - $200
Sandblasting - $100
Refinishing - $700
Replacing Legs - $200
Total $1,400
Keep in mind, the total listed above does not include the
cost of searching for a person that does sandblasting or refinishing, the
hauling expense (these tubs can weigh over 400 lbs.), the agony of lifting the
tub time and again, the wear and tear on your tools and the long wait in
getting the project completed.
What
if You Don’t Like the finished Product?
Moreover, what if, after everything has been done, you
are not satisfied with the finished product?
After all, we are talking about painting the tub to look like porcelain.
Not all refinishers are great at what
they do.
Nevertheless, let's be positive. If everything goes well, and you are happy
with the result after spending quite a sum of money, what does the future hold for
your antique tub? Special care for the
surface will be required since we are dealing with a painted tub. Certain cleaners cannot be used. It will need to be polished from time to
time. Then, after a few years (if you're
lucky), you'll have to have it refinished again. Why? Because the paint will peel over
time. That's what paint does. Now you're looking at spending money all over
again.
Is There
a Better Way?
Yes! Purchase a
NEW cast iron and porcelain claw foot tub.
The surface will be brand new.
New porcelain. New cast
iron. The legs on the new tub are not
cast iron, they come in chrome, brushed nickel, even oil rubbed bronze. They even come in unique shapes; not just
the traditional roll top, but also the slipper tub, dual ended, pedestal and
double slipper. And most importantly,
the price is comparable to the cost of refinishing an old tub, sometimes even
lower. This is a no brainer. It’s one
thing if you’re refinishing an old tub for a museum because you’re trying to
preserve a special piece of history. It’s a whole other matter is you’re doing
this for yourself. Don't waste time, your hard-earned money and your labor on that
old discarded tub when you can have a perfectly designed NEW CLAW FOOT TUB for
the same or less money.
In this article, I have outlined the steps it takes to restore
and refinish an old claw foot bathtub. I spell out the advantages and
considerable disadvantages that come with the restoration/refinishing process.
I also compare the cost of this process with that of purchasing a new claw foot
tub. I have provided the process that can be used to restore a historic claw
foot tub so that it looks like new. I have also shown why I believe replacing
the old claw foot tub with a new one is the better way to go.
Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville Florida.
Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their
companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving
the best of Jacksonville Chamber Award three years running. If you would like
to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231 or email them
at alan@tubking.com.
After reading this, its obvious that new beats refinishing hands down! :D
ReplyDeleteIf it looks just as good and lasts ten times as long, what's there to think about?
ReplyDelete