You can repair a chipped porcelain tub yourself with a few easily accessible materials. When the chip is in an area that is always dry, such as the outer surface of the tub, a single repair should do the job. However, the damage can need repeated repair when the chip is in the basin of the tub. Dry the chipped area thoroughly with a hairdryer. As @bib mentions, there are drain pans available to place under your machine to catch any leaking water. However, periodically looking under you machine for any leaks would be sufficient to ensure there is no damage from a machine that has developed a leak. This also may alert you sooner to a developing issue.
Written by Judith Evans; Updated December 27, 2018Related Articles
- 1 Repair a Chip in a Bathtub
- 2 Fix a Hole in a Porcelain Sink
- 3 Fix a Chip in Laminate Tile
- 4 Fill Chips in a Sink Top
Porcelain enamel is an attractive, durable bathtub surface, but it can chip. You can repair a chipped porcelain tub yourself with a few easily accessible materials. When the chip is in an area that is always dry, such as the outer surface of the tub, a single repair should do the job. However, the damage can need repeated repair when the chip is in the basin of the tub.
Dry the chipped area thoroughly with a hairdryer. The surface must be completely dry so that the repair compound can stick.
Sand the chipped area with 220-grit sandpaper until the edges are smooth. To avoid scratches on the surrounding porcelain surface, sand only in the damaged area.
Clean the sanded area with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Let the surface dry completely before you apply the porcelain repair compound.
Mix the porcelain repair compound and high-gloss alkyd-based paint on a piece of clean tile or glass. Stir the mixture with a wooden dowel. Add a little bit of color at a time until the mixture is the same color as the porcelain surface.
Scoop up a small amount of the compound mixture with a putty knife and apply it to the center of the chipped area. Spread the compound toward the edges of the chip and gradually add compound until it covers the edges. Scrape off excess compound until the chip's edges are flush with the surrounding tub surface.
Let the compound dry for at least 12 hours. Blend the edges of the dried compound with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover.
Hairdryer
220-grit sandpaper
Rubbing alcohol
Cotton swabs
Clean piece of tile or glass
Porcelain repair compound
High-gloss alkyd-based paint
Putty knife
Straight-edge razor
Nail polish remover
Things You Will Need
Tip
You can purchase acetone-free nail polish removers that comply with strict state emission standards. These removers contain alternative ingredients, such as methyl acetate.
References (2)
About the Author
Judith Evans has been writing professionally since 2009, specializing in gardening and fitness articles. An avid gardener, Evans has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of New Hampshire, a Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School, and a personal trainer certificate from American Fitness Professionals and Associates.
Cite this ArticleChoose Citation Style
Cast-iron bathtub has a durable porcelain finish. Photo: Porcher
High-quality bathtubs—and a variety of other plumbing fixtures—have surfaces made of porcelain (or “vitreous”) enamel.
This enamel is the result of fusing powdered glass onto a base or metal, glass, or tile at a very high temperature—typically 750 to 850 degrees C. As the glass powder melts, it flows evenly across the surface, eventually cooling to form a very hard, smooth, durable finish that can be plain white or brilliantly colorful. This type of finish is used on products ranging from bathtubs and sinks to appliances and tile.
When cleaning a porcelain enamel surface, it’s important to keep in mind that the material is extremely hard, but still can be chipped by hard blows, or damaged by harsh abrasives and long-term use of acids. Small chips and dings can be repaired with an inexpensive porcelain touch-up solution, available online and at home-improvement centers (be sure to choose the color that is a perfect match).
![Is porcelain outer drain tub good on washing machine repair Is porcelain outer drain tub good on washing machine repair](https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/883049/883049415710.jpg)
Wash porcelain with a dilute mixture of warm water and detergent. A pasty solution of warm water with baking soda will help remove dirt and soap scum.
Inexpensive porcelain touch-up solution disguises small chips in porcelain. Photo: Sheffield
Commercial bathroom or surface cleaners also can be used. Chlorine or hydrogen peroxide bleach works well at removing tough stains. Always dilute them before using, and rinse them off after a few seconds of use. Bleaches won’t work on removing rust. Be sure to wear gloves.
You can remove heavy deposits of dirt, grease, or soap scum with a solution of 1 tablespoon of a TSP (trisodium phosphate) substitute mixed with 1 gallon of hot water. Do not combine this with other cleaners.
Most scouring powders have hard, sharp particles that make tiny scratches in the surface. These scratches will catch dirt, grease, hard water deposits, and soap residue. Then more abrasives are needed to remove these imbedded soils. Avoid using scouring powders, but if you must use an abrasive to remove a particularly stubborn stain, use the finest scouring powder you can find.
Acetic and muriatic acids can be used to remove some stains, but they can slowly disintegrate the surface coating of porcelain enamel, eventually attacking its metallic base. If you use an acid, be sure to wear rubber gloves.
After cleaning with any of these methods, always rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water.
NEXT SEE: Repairing Bathtub Surfaces
Featured Resource:Find a Local Bathtub Resurfacing Pro