What Can I Get to Fix a Crack in the Bathtub?

Fiberglass or Acrylic Tubs

• Once you have determined that your bathtub is fiberglass or acrylic, a trip to your local hardware or home improvement store is warranted to purchase a fiberglass repair kit. The kit will typically contain sandpaper, applicator, filler, colorant and a buffing cloth. For cracks larger than 1/4 inch in width, you will also need a fiberglass mesh insert to stabilize the surface before applying the crack-filling compound. A gentle, nonabrasive bathtub cleanser is also required to prepare your bathtub for restoration.

Minor Repairs for Porcelain

• The materials you will need for repairing a porcelain tub will depend upon the size of the blemish or crack. Hardware and home improvement stores offer kits to repair small chips and hairline cracks, but these seldom include the filler needed for larger cracks. Art supply stores carry porcelain enamel paint in a large variety of colors that makes color-matching easier. A tiny crack may require only a dab of paint to effectively seal the surface.

Larger Cracks in Porcelain

• Cracks in porcelain that are large enough for filler application require the purchase of porcelain-appropriate caulk and a razor blade in addition to your color-matched porcelain enamel paint. Home improvement store staff can advise what caulking will best work for your repair project. Once the crack is filled and the caulk has dried, you can prepare the surface for painting by slicing off excess caulk using the razor blade or other sharp tool.

Alternative Tools and Methods

• Careful use of a dremel tool or a hand file can replace preparing the surface using sandpaper and may make the process quicker and easier to perform. For fiberglass, look for specially-formulated fiberglass paint. To better visually blend the repaired area with the rest of your bathtub, refinishing sprays are available. Applying the spray to the entire tub will provide a uniform appearance. Look for these products at your local plumbing or home improvement stores.