Any difference between acrylic bath tubs and a vitreous finish tub

[wildeyed]

other than $500? I want an extra deep tub in the new master bath, and there is a considerable price difference between the two materials, not to mention a huge weight difference.

Anyone have an acrylic? How is it wearing? Does it need special cleaning? Thanks!

[NMDemDist2]

1. i have had acrylics and they are a nightmare to clean

they will scratch if you look at them wrong and will stain under certain circumstances. If you do go that direction be SURE to cover them carefully during the rest of the update, I had one that went into a new construction that I NEVER got clean from the construction mess.

you can't use scouring powder on them at all. this is one of those "you get what you pay for" things. have you been able to find a salvage yard or Habitat 4 Humanity outlet in your town?

[wildeyed]

3. The difference in price is $500 vs. $1300+.

I could just keep my current tub, have it refinished for about $300, but I really wanted an extra deep soaking tub. The installation of the extra deep is pricey, too, since I would need to have plumbing moved to accommodate the higher sides.

My existing tub is looking better and better.......

[NMDemDist2]

5. i see a bunch on eBay, some with free shipping

it may be an alternative to your local "home store"

http://home.search.ebay.com/bathtub_Bathroom_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQfrtsZ72QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ29506

[Stinky The Clown]

12. Don't bother refinishing ......

It needs the same care as an acrylic tub.

Pain in the ass and eventually it wears away leaving things worse than when you started.

[Kingshakabobo]

13. I always wondered about that??

I've always been suspicious about these "paint jobs".


:hi:

[AlCzervik]

2. we have an acrylic deep soaking tub--the only one who ever used it

was my daughter who has since moved on to showers. They are a pain to clean but the one that works is mr. clean magic eraser, i'm sure it has some awful ingredient in it but it works.

[wildeyed]

4. My bathroom is a shower/tub combined.

I really need to be able to scrub. The acrylic doesn't sound like the right finish for my family.

If I had a separate soaking tub, I would go for it.

[AlCzervik]

9. i agree, i think acrylic is great if you don't use it but if you actually

live in your home i'd get something else.

[Warpy]

11. I always used Dr. Bronner's peppermint castile soap

I use that stuff for everything, including getting set in blood out of clothing and for showers.

You can't use anything abrasive, so if you can't see through it, you can't use it.

I did take care of one rust stain with Clorox, though. I was just lucky that acrylic shower pan was white, otherwise the Clorox would have bleached it.

I'll be redoing my own bath within the next couple of years, tossing the stupid 1952 bathtub that is too small for anyone over the age of 6 to bathe in but a pain to enter and exit for a shower and just putting in a tile shower. The soaking tub will be outside, a hot tub.

[NMDemDist2]

6. check it out......

http://www.charlotterestore.org/

[wildeyed]

7. I have been there.

They just opened a second store near my house. I will keep an eye out for a tub there, but I would be surprised if they end up with an extra-deep cast iron. However you never know. Last time I stopped by, they had a six burner Viking range and matching Subzero, both almost new, from a tear down in Dillworth.

[NMDemDist2]

8. make a fabulous fifties jello mold for the manager

maybe she'll call you if something comes in??

:rofl:

[wildeyed]

10. They want me to volunteer!

Last time I was there I bought a really nice elliptical trainer for very few $$$. Getting it disassembled was a problem, so I looked up the manual online and showed the guys how to do it. Manager seemed impressed that I could figure stuff out.

Honestly, I would loooove working there, plus I could get first dibs on all the cool stuff, but with all my political activism, I don't see how I could fit it in.

[eleny]

14. We have an old tub on feet

We got it many years ago from a guy who refinished old tubs. Finally got it into the house when we remodeled the bathroom a few years ago. It's a combo soaking tub and shower. I've had no problems keeping it clean. You just have to be gentle with a refinished tub.

There was one problem when the plumber dropped a metal fitting in the tub and chipped it during the install. The contractor got a refinisher in to make the repair. She fixed the two tiny chips beautifully and also advised us that the guy who did the original refinishing did an excellent job. She said she could see that he used several coats of the material. (So shop around for a good refinishing company if you go this route.)

She also said to just keep some diluted dish soap in a spritz bottle and give the tub a spritzing once a week followed by a good rinse. I don't do that but opt to use Scrubbing Bubbles type cleansers and a soft rag. It's not advisable to do this as these products can still be abrasive. But I haven't noticed any deterioration in three years. And I figure that if after 5 years I need to get someone in to give the tub a tune up, I'm fine with that.

Hope this helps and good luck with your decision!