A crack or ding in a shower stall or a chip or stain in your bathtub doesn’t necessarily mean replacement. There are numerous products on the market that can patch holes, fill cracks, repair rust spots and cover up blemishes, saving you hundreds of dollars. They are not  hard to use , however,  you must first read and follow the instructions thoroughly. Here’s a look at some of the processes involved.

Cracks or Small Holes in Fiberglass or Acrylic

Whether it’s a tub, surround or shower stall, andmay it  fiberglass or acrylic, the procedure is the same. If the hole is smaller than a quarter, you can make the repairs yourself. Nonetheless, If you’re dealing with a hole larger than a quarter, you’d probably be better off buying a replacement.

Pick up a tub-repair kit from your local hardware store or home center. There are various brands on the market for standard colors such as white, bone or almond.

What You’ll Need

• Tub-repair kit
• Nonabrasive cleaner
• Putty knife if there’s no applicator in your kit
• 600-grit wet-dry sandpaper

The process seen in the packing is fairly similar:

1. Clean the damaged area thoroughly with a nonabrasive powdered cleanser such as Bon Ami. Rinse thoroughly, ensuring that there’s no residue from the cleaner on the surface.
2. If your kit directs it, put the reinforcement tape to the crack or small hole.
3. Mix the resin with the hardener and coloring.
4. Spread the mixture over the tape or the damaged spot (depending on your kit), feathering out the edges and creating as smooth a surface as you can.
5. Let  it  dry according to the directions attached to the package .
6. Sand with paper no coarser than 600-grit wet dry sandpaper, using water.

There are kits available that don’t include fiberglass tape; those are no less effective. Some include epoxy mixes and hardeners that serve the same purpose.

Buy Direct – Tub/Shower Repair Kits

Chipped Cast-Iron Bathtub

Most bathtubs today are made of fiberglass or acrylic, but if you have an older Singapore property home, your tub may be of cast iron. To repair chipped paint on a cast-iron tub, you’ll need the following:

• Lint-free rag
• Non-abrasive powdered cleanser, like Bon Ami
• Porcelain paint, suitable for cast iron

Here’s what to do:

1. Take away any flaking or damaged paint from the chipped area.
2. Clean the chipped area using a  rag and cleanser, then rinse thoroughly.
3. Put on a small amount of touch-up paint and allow to dry and cure completely according to package directions.
4. If a great deal of paint needs to be removed, use a new straight razor blade with the blade held at nearly flat against the surface. Use at least 600-grit wet-dry sandpaper, wet the sandpaper and gently buff to smooth out any flaws .

Unsightly Bathtub Stains

A persistent drip can easilyproduce a ring of rust around the drain. Before resorting to  replace the tub, seek these home remedies:

• Cut a lemon in quarters, andmassage the surface with the fruit. If what is available is  only bottled lemon juice , that will work as well. Next, rinse with water.
• cleanse  the area using a  baking soda and a sponge, then rinse with water.
• If you still have a stain, try a solution of one part bleach to one part water, be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
• As a last resort, try a 5% solution of oxalic acid or a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid. Ask for either one at your nearest hardware store or home center.pat the solution with a rag for a couple of seconds, then rinse thoroughly. Wear rubber gloves, a mask and safety glasses when working with those solutions.