What is better, an acrylic insert in the bathtub or a liquid acrylic coating? Comparison of characteristics and 5 expert tips

Nowadays, almost every family has a bathtub. Except for those who preferred showers. These structural elements are made mainly of durable metal alloys, which allows them to keep water warm for a long time. However, not only the material of the bathtub is taken into account.

The bathroom must have adequate insulation, ventilation, and a suitable covering for the bath itself. In this case, you need to consider the available coating for the bathtub, and also understand whether enamel or acrylic is better.

Composition and technical characteristics of enamel and acrylic

Before considering how to cover a bathtub with acrylic or enamel, and which is better of these two components, it is necessary to understand the main components of the substances, and in addition the characteristics of the compositions:

1. It should be understood that there is acrylic enamel on sale, which contains acrylic itself.
2. Separately, each composition contains auxiliary components in the form of hardeners and synthetic additives.
3. Often, substances contain special components that impart viscosity to the composition and subsequent hardening.

If restoration or painting of the bathtub is required during restoration, then it is better to use enamel rather than another two-component bathtub composition. All this is due to the fact that, unlike acrylic, enamel is significantly cheaper, even though it contains acrylic components. In addition, the method of restoring bathtubs with acrylic involves the use of a special liner, the choice of which is significantly complicated by finding the appropriate size, and also a suitable shape.

When comparing these methods of bathtub restoration, it is important to take into account that acrylic, unlike enamel, dries much faster. Additionally, when selecting material for reconstruction, it is necessary to rely on the fact that the compositions differ significantly in consumption per square meter of bathing tank area.

Important. Some structures can only be restored by enameling, which is due to the order of their manufacture and the material used in the work.

Consumption per 1m2

When choosing enamel or acrylic for a bathtub, and distinguishing which is better, it is important to take into account the material consumption per square meter. Let's consider the main points associated with the use of a certain amount of material:

• on average, when using a sprayer, about 150-250 grams of enamel are spent to cover a square meter;
• if enameling is carried out with a brush, the consumption of the component can increase to 300-500 grams per square meter;
• if acrylic is used, then the consumption is on average 400-600 grams per square meter of space;
• when using a ready-made acrylic liner, these parameters are not taken into account, since a solid liner is used here.

Taking into account all these points, you can choose for yourself the best reconstruction option for a metal or cast iron bathtub, depending on which design option is used.

Foreign companies

If we talk about foreign manufacturers of plumbing fixtures, the most popular are companies from the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain and Italy. They meet European quality standards, so they are durable and reliable, but are more expensive than their domestic counterparts.

Ravak

Bathtub Ravak Be Happy

Bath dimensions

Bathtub Ravak BeHappy 150x75 left

The products of the Czech company Ravak are considered the most popular in Europe. Bathtubs are made from high quality material using modern equipment and technology. The products have a thick layer of acrylic, are reinforced with fiberglass and coated with polyurethane, which significantly increases their reliability and durability. The company's product range includes bathtubs of various sizes and shapes, and some models are equipped with additional functions: hydromassage, lighting, etc.

The disadvantages of Ravak plumbing fixtures include their rather heavy weight (about 20% heavier than products from other manufacturers), as well as the difficulty in selecting components and fasteners.

Acrylic bathtub RAVAK ROSA II

Ravak Rosa II, diagram

acrylic bathtubs rawak

Vagnerplast

Another brand from the Czech Republic, which was the first in Europe to begin producing acrylic sanitary ware. Today, many companies rely on Vagnerplast products, as they meet all quality standards. The products have an ergonomic shape, special supports for the legs and head and adjustable legs. The company produces both classic bathtubs and exclusive models equipped with a massage system and other options.

Vagnerplast Cavallo 190×90

acrylic bathtubs vagnerplast

Roca

Roca bathtubs are made in Spain and are among the top three in quality and durability. Products are made by injection molding using the extrusion method from high-quality acrylic. The thickness of their walls is 4-5 mm, which is slightly less than that of other European analogues, but thanks to high-quality reinforcement and a rigid frame, they are practically not subject to wear and chips. Buyers claim that immediately after installation, some models creak a little, but after a while the sound disappears.

Roca

Roca bath

acrylic bathtubs roca

Cersanit

Cersanit baths are one of the best in terms of price and quality ratio. They are made in Poland from acrylic sheets 4 mm thick. The products have good technical and decorative characteristics (double reinforced bottom, rigid frame, smooth surface), and the company’s range is constantly updated, so any buyer can easily choose a bathtub to suit his taste. The disadvantages of Cersanit products include the fact that thinner antibacterial acrylic is used for their manufacture, so the installation of a hydromassage system is excluded in this case.

Bathtub Cersanit VIRGO MAX 150 x 90 asymmetrical left

Bathtub Cersanit VIRGO 160 x 75 rectangular

Acrylic corner bathtub CERSANIT VENUS 140×140

Kolo

The Polish concern Kolo is another leader in the production of acrylic bathtubs in Europe. For the manufacture of sanitary ware, English acrylic sheets with a thickness of 3-5 mm are used, which are highly reliable and durable. The technology of forming products involves adding a special pigment to the material, thanks to which the baths can be polished and cleaned without fear of damage or scratches. The Kolo product range includes classic rectangular, angular and asymmetrical models. As with Cersanit products, Kolo bathtubs are made of thin acrylic, so they cannot be installed with hydromassage systems.

Acrylic bathtub Kolo Relax 150×150cm

Riho

Riho is a Dutch company that offers a wide range of products, including corner, round and even hexagonal bathtubs. The thickness of the acrylic sheets used to produce bathtubs is 6-8 mm, due to which the brand’s sanitary ware is durable and wear-resistant. When manufacturing products, special attention is paid to their environmental friendliness and safety, which is why they have an antibacterial coating and a non-slip bottom. The most significant drawback of Riho bathtubs is their high cost, especially when it comes to products of non-standard shape.

Bathtub Riho Bilbao 150x75

NEO 150×150 semicircular corner acrylic bathtub (RIHO)

Acrylic bathtub Riho Colorado

Advantages and disadvantages

Painting a bathtub with enamel or acrylic has a number of positive qualities, but there are also some disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at all the benefits of capacity restoration:

1. you can restore the original appearance of the enamel surface on the bathing container;
2. there is the possibility of eliminating corrosion and accumulated rust on the corresponding container;
3. subsequently, the structural element will keep the water warm for a long time;
4. the service life of this design is significantly extended, since there is no direct contact between water and metal.

Despite a significant number of advantages, reconstruction also has some disadvantages. After coating the enamel layer, the service life is shorter than that of the initial coating. If you enamel a bathtub, its volume is significantly reduced. Restoring the structure when applying enamel requires significant material and physical investments; in addition, using the container for a certain period of time will be unacceptable.

Important. Before determining whether it is better to cover the bathtub with enamel or acrylic, you should evaluate the investment, and in addition, weigh the relevance of such work, since reconstruction cannot always be carried out.

Rules of care

When using acrylic bathtubs, the following rules should be observed:

• It is forbidden to use chlorine-containing chemicals intended for the care of ceramics to clean them; acrylic is also resistant to acetone, ammonia, and gasoline.
• For cleaning, acrylic care chemicals are used in the form of pastes and gels, some of them: Sarma, Star-Acrylat, Cif, Acryl-Net, Luxus, Akrilan, New Key, Meteor.
• Do not use the bowl to drain boiling water from the washing machine after washing colored laundry to avoid staining its surface.
• It is not recommended to wash pets in an acrylic bath, whose claws can leave marks on the surface; in extreme cases, you can lay a mat.
• Do not place metal objects with hard and sharp ends (iron buckets, cans) into the bowl, especially when heated. If deep scratches occur, the acrylic surface can be restored by grinding with fine-grained materials and further polishing.

Acrylic care products

Tool selection

Before applying an enamel or acrylic coating, and also determining what is best to cover the bathtub, you need to find out what tools are needed for the job. Here you will need the following:

• a spatula, and also a mixture to eliminate all defects;
• sandpaper for polishing the surface;
• drill with matching diamond blade;
• protective equipment (glasses and rubber gloves);
• application tools (spray, brush or roller);
• a plastic cup and tools for removing the drain and overflow;
• small container for appropriate coating.

According to reviews, before determining which is better when painting a bathtub, acrylic or enamel, you should inquire about the availability of available tools for carrying out work to restore the tank.

Important. If you use an acrylic liner, you will definitely need to prepare a stationery knife and construction tape.

Removing the acrylic liner - detailed instructions

Over time, condensed moisture or water that gets through cracks under the liner begins to rot, resulting in mold and mildew forming between the liner and the bathtub. But outwardly this is usually invisible.

At first, the increased humidity is not particularly noticeable, because the bathroom is usually the wettest room in the apartment and high humidity in it is considered normal. You, suspecting nothing, continue to live with it and breathe fungal spores.

But over time, the amount of mold and mildew increases, and the smell gets stronger and stronger. It is not possible to fight this. And then you begin to understand where the source of your troubles is. There is only one way out of this situation - dismantling the acrylic liner.

Technology for dismantling an acrylic liner in a bathroom

The acrylic liner is cut into separate parts using a cutting disc of an angle grinder or renovator. This is very precise work. Movements should be careful, not touching the surface of the bathtub with the cutting part of the disc. The slightest incorrect or imprecise movement will lead to damage to the surface of the bath, which is extremely undesirable.

After this, the remnants of the acrylic insert, mounting foam and water are removed. If there are areas of the bathtub surface damaged by the disk, they are puttied with automotive putty. After the putty has dried, the areas are sanded with fine-grain sandpaper.

Then you can begin further restoration of the bathtub.

Bathtub enamel coating

The most popular reconstruction method, since it does not require a significant investment. Here there is an opportunity to completely recreate the surface to its original appearance, while the container will fully perform all the necessary functions.

Enameling technology

To properly restore the enamel surface, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. first of all, you will need to remove the layer of corrosion using oxalic acid, and then remove the main coating;
2. It is recommended to use special lighting to monitor the cleaning procedure and subsequent application of the composition;
3. when applying paint, the initial layers should be applied by hand, and the last layer, if possible, should be sprayed with a spray gun;
4. All work is carried out in protective equipment (rubber gloves, safety glasses and long sleeves).

It should be understood that each layer of coating is applied evenly, starting from the sides themselves and ending with the recess.

Disadvantages of covering a bathtub with enamel

Despite the fact that this method is extremely popular, there are a number of disadvantages, namely:

• a relatively short service life of the restored surface of the bathing tank or other functions;
• quite large material costs are required, and in addition it is necessary to do some physical labor;
• A separate disadvantage can be considered the rather long time period for complete drying.

Despite the presence of shortcomings, nowadays, bathtub owners more often resort to this particular reconstruction option, since it can be done independently without the help of specialists.

Important. You should not evaluate this coating only by its inherent disadvantages, since along with them there are many advantages of this finishing option.

Disadvantages: why cast iron is abandoned

1. The first minus is the other side of the plus and is a consequence of the large weight of the cast iron bathtub. Due to the massive structure, considerable difficulties arise during transportation and installation. In addition, for some buildings the additional load acting on the floors must be taken into account. This is especially true for large-volume baths.
2. Another disadvantage of cast iron bathtubs is also directly related to their advantages. Enamel, for all its strength and hardness, is a rather fragile material, and in the event of an impact, chips may form on its surface. Such a chip cannot be eliminated with improvised means; it is necessary to call a specialist with special tools, materials and appropriate skills for the restoration of enamel coatings.
3. In addition, even with external integrity, over time the upper smooth layer of enamel is destroyed, and the coating acquires a porous, rough structure. Housewives who use products based on oxalic or orthophosphoric acid to maintain cleanliness especially often encounter this problem. Subsequently, the damaged enamel, like a sponge, absorbs iron salts contained in tap water, turning yellow and practically impossible to clean with mild means, so to maintain the whiteness of a bathtub with damaged enamel, you again have to resort to acidic preparations.
4. And finally, the third disadvantage of cast iron bathtubs is the conservatism of the form. Cast iron is not malleable enough to allow designers to experiment with fancy configurations. Therefore, the strict classical form of cast iron baths remains unchanged. However, for some, this disadvantage turns into an advantage, because strict classics never go out of fashion.

Acrylic coating

A simpler, but at the same time relatively expensive option for reconstructing a finished bathing tank. Here you will definitely need to have certain skills and knowledge, otherwise you will not be able to produce a high-quality result that will function for a long time.

Acrylic pouring method

In order to restore a solid surface coating, you will need the following:

1. existing rust is removed;
2. the surface is leveled with putty;
3. Hot water is poured in for 15 minutes and then drained;
4. The drain and overflow are completely dismantled;
5. at the end, a composition is poured from the edges, forming a thin and durable film;
6. the next stage begins pouring the composition from the center.

The preparatory work here is no different from the option of using enamel, only the process of applying the composition differs.

Disadvantages of acrylic coating

Despite its fairly simple design, this reconstruction option has the following disadvantages:

• serious consumption per square meter;
• relatively high cost of material for reconstruction;
• You should constantly ensure that you do not overfill the substance;
• certain skills are required;
• it is first necessary to completely restore the surface;
• Subsequently, surface polishing will be required.

An additional disadvantage is that pouring acrylic can create small irregularities, which will be difficult to eliminate later.

Important. When choosing this material, you should not rely only on its shortcomings, since there are a number of positive qualities here.

Recommendations from experts

The service life of an acrylic bathtub, like any other sanitary product, directly depends on its quality. You should not purchase a model with very thin walls, with a rough or porous surface - in the future, microcracks, stains and other defects will likely appear on it.

To ensure that the product lasts a long time, choose a bathtub from a manufacturer that has proven itself in the market

In order to purchase a truly high-quality product, experts in the field of construction work advise inspecting the product for:

• uniformity of acrylic throughout the bathtub body to ensure that there are no flimsy, see-through or thinned areas;
• wall thickness - durable products have sides with a thickness of 4 to 6 mm, cheaper ones are usually made of sheets 2–4 mm thick;
• pretentiousness of form - high-quality products usually do not contain a large number of ornate bends, but are characterized by simplicity of configuration;
• side cut - not only a layer of acrylic, but also resin should be visible on it, otherwise we are talking about cheap plastic;
• reinforcement - the reinforcement material must be of high quality, with layers of fiberglass.

Carefully read the quality characteristics of acrylic bathtubs.
Before going to the store, be sure to take all the necessary measurements in order to determine exactly what bathtub configuration will be needed in the bathroom.

Review of popular manufacturers

Today, various companies are engaged in the production of this type of material. Among the mass of brands, the following institutions can be singled out separately:

1. materials with good properties from the VGT manufacturer;
2. good quality from the TIKKURILA brand;
3. Kudo materials are of good quality;
4. Ceresit materials are in excellent demand;
5. Buyers also praise Vixen materials.

When choosing the best option for substances, you should rely not only on the composition of the product, but also take into account customer reviews.

Important. When choosing a suitable material for the reconstruction of bathtubs, you need to pay due attention to the reviews of specialists and sellers.

Restoration of bathtubs with enamel or acrylic, video

Comparison of coating service life

If you compare two such bath coatings, it is also necessary to identify differences in service life, however, this parameter is influenced by several points, namely:

• How often are bath tanks used?
• Procedure for using self-leveling baths.
• The quality of the work performed.
• Compliance with technology during application.
• What kind of reconstructive material was applied?
• Temperature conditions and present humidity.

All these points have a direct impact on the duration of use of the corresponding coatings. If we take average values, then the enamel coating can withstand several years of active use (up to 5). As for liquid acrylic, this period can be increased to 10 years.

Important. Under various operating conditions, the service life of the restoration coating can be reduced to 2-3 years, or, conversely, increased to decades.

In order to decide on a coating for restoration, it is not enough just to read the comparison; you should understand that you have to work with each material differently. That is why you should not only compare substances, but also know their basic properties.

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