Practical recommendations on how to remove scratches on an acrylic bathtub at home

Acrylic bathtubs are popular among residents of Russia and beyond. They are lightweight, durable and inexpensive.

However, even with the most careful handling, scratches and chips may form on them, since acrylic has low resistance to mechanical and chemical influences.

Such damage spoils the appearance of the bathtub, leading to corrosion and deformation. Read the article on how to remove a scratch on an acrylic bathtub without ruining it.

How to remove minor damage?

Before you begin removing minor scratches on your bathtub, you need to thoroughly wash and dry it. It should be taken into account that acrylic is a porous material, so it takes at least 7 hours to completely dry it. It is not enough to simply wipe the surface with a dry cloth. It is necessary to give the moisture time for complete evaporation.

Instructions for removing minor scratches:

1. The first stage of processing is sanding the surface with fine-grained sandpaper. The skin should be the thinnest, and the grain size should be P2500 units.

   Only if these conditions are met will it be possible to rub and not scratch the surface.

2. If after grouting the surface is smooth and no roughness is felt on it, then the work was done efficiently.
3. The second stage is treating the damaged area with an abrasive polish. You can find special repair kits on sale, the average price of which is 600 rubles.The polish is applied to the surface of the bathtub and rubbed with a felt cloth.
4. After 2-3 hours, the polish will be absorbed, after which you can begin the third stage of processing. It comes down to applying wax for acrylic baths (this component is also included in the repair kit).
5. After an hour, the bath is washed using a liquid product.

How to repair chips?

If a chip has formed on the surface of the bathtub, it will not be possible to rub it with sandpaper; more serious repair work will be required.

For this You must purchase a repair kit, which includes:

• sandpaper;
• polishes;
• reducing agent (putty);
• napkins;
• gloves and applicator.

Instructions for removing chips involve going through the following steps:

1. First you need to wash and dry the damaged area, then degrease it with white spirit or acetone.
2. The perimeter of the chip is covered with masking tape. This is done to ensure that the polish does not get on the undamaged area.
3. Using 1200 grit sandpaper, sand the surface of the bathtub. This treatment will allow the putty to grip more firmly.
4. The dust formed after sanding is removed with a vacuum cleaner. After treatment, use the alcohol wipe included in the kit.
5. The putty is prepared according to the instructions for use, which are included with the purchased kit. Sometimes it is included in the kit ready-made.
6. Using a spatula, apply the mixture to the chip so that it is completely filled.
7. 30 minutes after the manipulations, it is necessary to remove the masking tape.
8. After 24 hours, the treated surface is sanded with sandpaper and polished with felt.

How to cover up cracks?

Getting rid of a crack is much more difficultthan from a scratch, even the deepest one. This defect is end-to-end, so it can lead to water leakage in the bathroom and flooding of neighbors.

Another danger of a crack is its ability to increase in size. It spreads under the influence of weight, when using detergents and even when exposed to water.

Repair is carried out as follows:

1. The defective surface is sanded.
2. Using a drill, drill 2 holes: on one side and the other side of the crack. Its end should be in the center of the hole. This will create uniform pressure along the edges of the crack. It is necessary to control the force of pressing on the drill. The holes should not be allowed to be deeper than the crack itself.
3. Then you need to open the crack and degrease it.
4. The final stage of work is the application of the repair composition, its drying and subsequent grinding.

You should begin removing cracks immediately after they are discovered. Otherwise, they will spread out and repair will be impossible.

How to fix holes?

A hole can form due to a heavy object falling onto an acrylic bathtub. If it has sharp edges, then the likelihood of a through hole increases. Only small holes must be eliminated.

Repair instructions:

• the bathtub must be cleaned, dried and degreased on both sides: internal and external;
• fiberglass is attached to the reverse side using epoxy glue - its diameter should be 5-6 cm larger than the hole;
• the second fiberglass overlay is attached 2 hours after fixing the first one - its size should be even larger by 5 cm;
• the third segment exceeds the second by another 5 cm, it is also glued after 2 hours;
• after 1.5 hours, the inside of the bathtub is degreased and sanded;
• the damaged area is puttied and leveled;
• when the putty dries, it is sanded again.

If the hole exceeds 5 cm in diameter, then it will not be possible to repair it. The bathtub will have to be replaced.

Prevention measures

Preventive measures to prevent scratches and chips on an acrylic bath:

1. To care for your bathtub, do not use products containing acids or alkalis.
2. Do not use abrasive cleaning compounds. Preference should be given to gels.
3. Do not pour very hot water into the bath. Manufacturers do not recommend exceeding 60 degrees.
4. After each use of the bathtub, it must be rinsed with soapy water and wiped dry.
5. For preventive purposes, polishing gel should be applied to the surface 2 times a month. It will not only give it strength, but also refresh its shine.
6. The surface of the bathtub should be free of rust and limescale. When they appear, you need to clean them with safe compounds, for example, hydrogen peroxide.
7. When carrying out repair work, the bathtub must be removed. If this is not possible, then it should be covered with polystyrene foam and covered with polyethylene.This will avoid scratches and chips if a tool or building material is accidentally dropped.

Following these simple recommendations will extend the life of your bathroom.

What cannot be used for restoration?

To remove scratches in the bathroom Do not use sandpaper with a grit marking below P2500.

Even the P2000 is no longer suitable for repair work. Such paper will not sand, but scratch the surface.

Pumice stone and metal brushes are not suitable for removing scratches. Abrasive powders should not be used. They won't help solve the problem.

It will not be possible to correct the defect using ordinary putty. You need a professional composition based on acrylic.

Helpful information

Tips for removing scratches:

1. If a scratch has just appeared, it can be treated with a camouflage pencil with a waterproof composition. They are sold in online markets and cost about 170 rubles.
2. You should begin removing any defects immediately after they are discovered. This will avoid their increase in size and complex repair work.
3. If there are a lot of scratches, restoring the bathtub will be problematic. It is much easier to call specialists who restore bathtubs with liquid acrylic. You can find many similar advertisements on the Internet. The average cost of such services is 2,500 rubles.

All the most important and useful information about cleaning the bathroom is collected in this section of the site.

Conclusion

You can independently remove not only minor scratches, but also deep damage to an acrylic bathtub. If you wish and have the necessary tools, you can even cope with chips, cracks and holes. The main thing is to strictly follow the instructions, act slowly and carefully.