How to Make a Clawfoot Tub White

Cast iron clawfoot tubs add historical charm to a bathroom. If you have a tub that has been painted a different color, it can be restored to an original white finish. However, if the tub is badly scarred or rusted, it will need to be refinished by a professional who can sandblast the tub, repair the damage and give it a fresh coat of paint. Otherwise, if it is simply a matter of changing the color, you can do this yourself.

Steel wool
Fiberglass putty
Putty knife
Dropcloths
Epoxy primer
Acrylic urethane
Paint sprayer
Paint polishing cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Sand over any rough spots on the interior and exterior of the tub with steel wool. You will need an even finish for the new paint.
- 2
  Fill in scratches and dings with fiberglass putty using a putty knife. Smooth on the putty, scrape off the excess. Let it dry for at least 12 hours before sanding it smooth.
- 3
  Open up the windows in the bathroom for better ventilation. The type of paint you will be using is noxious.
- 4
  Place dropcloths around the tub and over any fixtures. This will prevent over-spray from ruining your fixtures or anything else in your bathroom you don't want painted.
- 5
  Prime the tub with epoxy primer. The primer is thick and will need to be applied with a paint brush, not a sprayer.
- 6
  Paint the tub with white acrylic urethane paint and a cup sprayer. This paint provides a hard and shiny finish once it cures. The cup sprayer will give you even coverage. Paint at least two coats on tub, wait about five to 10 minutes between coats. Let the paint cure completely, according to manufacturer directions, before using the tub. Approximate curing times range between 24 and 48 hours.
- 7
  Polish the surface with an automotive polishing cloth to give it a nice shine.

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Bathrooms