The Basics of Acrylic Bathtub Install

Whether you have to replace an old tub, or have decided to renovate your bathroom, acrylic bathtub install is sometimes necessary. Doing it yourself can be a challenge, but ultimately will save you a lot of money. Choosing this route will also allow you to put everything exactly how you want it and you stand to experience the pride of a job well done. This article will show you that installing your tub is easy and will touch lightly on acrylic bathtub refinishing as well.

The good news is that acrylic bathtub install is possible for anyone to do as long as they have the right tools. You first have to measure the area of space you have available in your bathroom so you can pick a tub that is the perfect size. Next, make sure the floor is level because there is nothing worse than going through the entire installation process only to find that your tub is not sitting right. If the floor is not level than you can use a mortar in order to straighten it out.

The next step of acrylic bathtub install is to gently rock the tub into place. Secure it by placing shims over the floor joists. Once you are finished with this step you can place the skirt on the tub. Next you may attach corner supports. Then remove any excess material from your skirt and glue it into place. You should perform this step slowly, one step at a time by using the corner trim to cover up the corner joints. You can now affix vertical supports inside the skirting every eighteen inches in order to provide it with the needed support. Once you have finished, make sure that the plumbing is working and give it at least a day to settle for using.

Sometimes you will find that it is not necessary to replace your entire tub, but instead you will simply be able to engage in acrylic bathtub refinishing. This is perhaps the most inexpensive route to take and doesn’t take that long at all. You will first have to clean and sand the tub down to prepare it to be painted. Most people prefer to use a palm sander to accomplish this because its vibration action creates a more even surface. Once this step is finished you can begin painting, but first make sure that you cover up any surfaces that you do not wish to paint.

When performing acrylic bathtub refinishing, you should choose a polymer coating in the color that best matches the decor of your bathroom. Fill up the paint pot on your spray gun and test it out on a different surface before using it on your tub to make sure it is working properly. It is recommended that you do two coats of primer and 3 of top coat, giving each coat about a half hour to effectively dry.