Antique bath resurfacing (also known as claw-foot bath refinishing, re-glazing or re-enameling) produces stunning results from very old, very decrepit bath tubs.

Original free-standing cast iron bath tubs can still be found in paddocks and backyards, sometimes being used as a cattle water trough. They are often in very poor condition when brought in from the paddock, but hidden underneath all the muck, rust and decomposing porcelain is a solid cast iron tub almost as good as the day it left the foundry 50, 60 or 70 years ago!

The Antique Bath Resurfacing Process

The resurfacing process is a multi-step procedure which can be summarised as follows:

• The bath tub is first sand-blasted to clean away rust and any remains of decomposed porcelain, leaving a raw, rust-free cast iron tub as the starting point.
• The outside of the bath tub is then either filled and resurfaced to give a glass-like finish similar to the inside of the tub, or it can be resurfaced to retain the original cast iron appearance, complete with mold marks and original manufacturer's markings.
• The external surfaces of the bath tub can be colour-matched or in contrast with the light or dark colours in the heritage floor tile design.
• The inside of the bath tub is then restored using high build coatings and special fillers.
• A bonding agent system is applied, followed by four coats of Classic Surface, the flagship of the Worldwide Refinishing Systems bath resurfacing range.
• The bath tub is then heat cured.
• Resurfaced or new ball & claw feet are fitted and the tub is prepared for delivery.

Claw Foot Choices

The original feet can be

• resurfaced in the same colour as the outside of the bath.
• plated with nickel and resurfaced with a baked epoxy 'chrome' or 'gold' finish.

or alternatively, copies can be supplied in solid brass, highly polished and sealed.

Missing or damaged feet can usually be copied, provided the retaining slots on the bath tub are still intact.

The Cost

Cost is dependant on condition, on choice of external finish and on requirements for restoration of the feet.....usually somewhere between $1,200 and $1 ,800.