Is your outdated tub beginning to lose its luster? Refinishing a bathtub is a great way to add value to your house but can seem daunting at first. How to remove paint from a porcelain tub is detailed below.
The paint can be easily stripped away. The method for doing so must get tailored to the specific paint removal. Solvents are necessary for the removal of water-based paint.
However, a paint stripper is required if the paint is oil-based. It is possible to use a paint scraper. usage of Rubbing alcohol is to loosen water-based paint, whereas acetone is better suited for oil-based paint.
The material of your tub will dictate the method most effective for removing paint from it. There have been many reports of commercial paint removers damaging acrylic and fiberglass.
The majority of common cleaning products and chemicals will not scratch the porcelain. A razor blade or scraper can be used on a porcelain bathtub to remove paint that has peeled or splattered there by accident.
Why Do You Need to Remove Paint From Porcelain Tub?
Your kitchen can be completely transformed by the addition of a porcelain tub. The most important thing is to take good care of these materials because of how lovely they are.
This substance has the desirable property of being impervious to solvents, filth, and grime. However, cautiousness needed because many substances can dissolve or ruin porcelain, and the material scratches easily.
When painting a bathroom or kitchen, it’s easy to neglect to protect the sink and end up getting paint all over the porcelain fixture. Paint can leave an immediate stain on porcelain.
If you let the paint drips sit here for too long, they could ruin the tub’s otherwise sleek appearance. However, with the right care, the mess may get cleaned up without any damage to the surface.
Proper Guide on How to remove paint from a porcelain tub
As we understand how problematic it could be to keep your tub unclean and not well maintained. We have come up with an ultimate guide on how to remove paint from a porcelain tub.
Step 1. Put the Paint to the Test.
Step one in removing paint from a porcelain surface is by testing the paint to see if it is water-based or oil-based. You can’t use the wrong solvents if you know what kind of paint was previously used. It can be easily checked. Get some rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol and dampen a cloth.
Check the cloth to see if the paint has transferred by rubbing it repeatedly against the paint. Water-based paint can be identified by the need to rub it off, while oil-based paint can be identified by its cleanliness.
If the paint is water-based, you can wipe it off completely with some rubbing alcohol. You can also use a rough sponge, water, and soap to get the job done.
Water and alcohol will have little effect on oil-based paint because of the paint’s composition. Try wiping the spot with a towel wet with lacquer thinner or acetone. The second step is to conduct the following if the stain is still visible.
Step 2. Break Out the Paint Remover.
Both oil and water-based paint can be easily removed with a paint stripper, and the cost is quite low. It is effective at eradicating both water- and oil-based paints. Wear protective gear like goggles and rubber gloves if you are handling it.
Apply the stripper to the paint with a paintbrush. Ten minutes should be enough time for it to settle before the paint begins to peel. If it takes a while, you can get more people to spread it.
To get rid of the stripper and the paint, use the paint scraper. Avoid scratching your porcelain tub by switching to a metal scraper instead of the plastic one. Washing the porcelain with soapy water after scraping the stripper and paint off can remove any remaining residue and neutralize the stripper. Don’t forget to give it multiple thorough washes in clean water.
Step-3 Highly Effective Cleaning Agent
It might be challenging to completely remove old paint. An efficient cleaning strategy involves the use of a very potent cleanser. It is simple to remove the previous water-based paint from the porcelain tub by combining a damp towel with “Bon Ami” cleaner powder.
An additional powerful cleaner that is effective on both fresh and old paint is the WD-40 lubricant spray. Using this chemical, rust spots on porcelain bathtubs are easily removed.
For this stage, you’ll need dish soap, a rag, a plastic scraping tool, and a non-scratch cloth scouring pad. It can take nearly 15 minutes for the paint to dry once you spray it on.
At the first sign of a paint bubble, use the scraper to remove the affected area. If the paint is dry and thick, try spraying it again. Repeat the scraping process, and if the paint is still not removed, scrub it with a scouring pad. The residue can get washed away using soapy water and a gentle sponge.
Step 4. Remove It.
After exhausting all other options, such as solvents, you may opt to use a scraping instrument to remove the stubborn paint from the porcelain surface. Apply pressure with the blade of a plastic putty knife until you can see light through the stain or paint and the porcelain.
The paint should peel off the handle easily if you tap it with a hammer. You can make it easier to remove by spraying it with a lubricating solution. If it continues to harden, use a razor blade or metal putty knife to remove it from the paint. Hopefully, the paint can be readily removed.
Step 5. Scrub the Tub and Then Rinse It Out.
Repeatedly scrubbing the area with a washcloth or sponge can eventually remove the paint. Strive for depth and use some muscle for the scrubbing.
To remove stubborn stains, gently work a sponge around in circular motions. After you’ve finished scrubbing, fill the tub with hot water and give it a last rinse. The paint will be totally removed from your porcelain bath.
Faq’s
Can paint thinner be used on porcelain tile?
It’s important to know that it won’t harm the tiles you have. The oil-based paint can get removed with paint thinner or nail polish remover. Paint stains on tile and grout are no match for a combination of vinegar and aromatic oils.
Can porcelain tile be harmed by acetone?
For ceramic tile, acetone nail polish remover will be alright. However, stone tiles that have not got sealed, some porcelain tiles, porous soapstone, granite tiles, and marble tiles can have problems with the use of nail polish remover or nail polish that becomes caught in the crevices.
Conclusion
Finally, after reading our article, you have got a broad idea of how to remove paint from a porcelain tub. During bathroom remodeling, there is always the risk of paint dripping into your porcelain tub, no matter how careful you are. To summarize, painting a porcelain tub is a lot simpler if you do it while the paint is still wet. You should be able to scrape off the paint and restore your tub even if it has dried. Before deciding on a procedure for removing the paint, it is important to find out if the paint is oil- or water-based.
