How To Fix A Fiberglass Tub Crack? A Comprehensive Guide

Do you have a fiberglass tub with a crack? Don’t worry, you don’t have to replace it! With the right tools and a little know-how, you can easily repair a fiberglass tub crack. This comprehensive guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix a fiberglass tub crack, from preparing the tub for repair to finishing it off with a fresh coat of paint. It also explains the best techniques for finding and filling cracks and the preventive maintenance measures you can take to help avoid future repairs. Whether you’re a first-time DIYer or an experienced professional, this guide will provide all the essential information you need to make your fiberglass tub look as good as new. So, let’s get started!

How To Fix A Fiberglass Tub Crack? 

Patch The Cracked Area With A Fiberglass Repair Kit

If the crack is small enough, you may be able to patch the area with a fiberglass repair kit. First, you’ll want to clean the crack with acetone or paint thinner on a rag. You can use sandpaper to rough up the crack to help the patch adhere better. Next, apply the backing paper from the fiberglass repair kit to the crack. Now, apply the fiberglass resin from the kit to the backing paper. You’ll want to apply enough resin to fill the crack and make it level with the surrounding area. Once the resin has dried, you can sand down the area with sandpaper. After sanding, you can apply a fiberglass resin to the area from the kit. You can use a paintbrush to apply the resin to the crack. After the resin has dried, you can sand down the area with sandpaper. Then, you can apply a fiberglass resin mixed with a few drops of acetone or paint thinner to seal the repair.

Reinforce The Area With Fiberglass Mesh Tape

If you’re repairing a fiberglass shower, you may be able to reinforce the area around the crack with fiberglass mesh tape. First, you’ll want to apply the backing paper from the tape to the crack. Next, you’ll want to apply the fiberglass resin from the kit to the backing paper. And, once the resin has dried, you can sand down the area with sandpaper. Once sanded, you can apply a fiberglass resin mixed with a few drops of acetone or paint thinner to seal the repair. If you’re repairing a fiberglass tub, you can use the fiberglass mesh tape to reinforce the area around the crack. First, you’ll want to apply the backing paper from the tape to the crack. Next, you’ll apply the fiberglass resin from the kit to the backing paper. Once the resin has dried, you can sand down the area with sandpaper. After sanding, you can apply a fiberglass resin mixed with a few drops of acetone or paint thinner to seal the repair.

Seal The Cracked Area With Bondo

If a crack in your fiberglass tub is too big for a fiberglass repair kit or fiberglass mesh tape, you may want to consider sealing the area with Bondo. First, you’ll want to sand down the crack with sandpaper. After sanding, you’ll want to clean the crack with acetone or paint thinner on a rag. Now, you can apply the Bondo to the crack. You’ll want to use a putty knife to apply the Bondo. Once the Bondo has dried, you can sand down the area with sandpaper. After sanding, you can apply a fiberglass resin mixed with a few drops of acetone or paint thinner to seal the repair.

Apply A Protective Coating

If you’re repairing a fiberglass tub, you may be able to seal the crack with a protective coating. First, you’ll want to apply the coating to the crack with a paintbrush. Once applied, you can let the coating dry for about eight hours. Once dry, you can sand down the area with sandpaper. After sanding, you can apply a fiberglass resin mixed with a few drops of acetone or paint thinner to seal the repair. If you’re repairing a fiberglass shower, you can use a polyurethane coating to seal the crack. First, you’ll want to apply a bonding agent to the crack. You can use a putty knife to apply the bonding agent. Next, you’ll want to apply the coating to the crack with a paintbrush. Once applied, you can let the coating dry for about eight hours. Once dry, you can sand down the area with sandpaper. After sanding, you can apply a fiberglass resin mixed with a few drops of acetone or paint thinner to seal the repair.

Clean And Polish The Tub

After sealing the cracked area, you may want to clean and polish the rest of the tub to make the repairs less noticeable. First, you’ll want to sand the rest of your tub with sandpaper. After sanding, you’ll want to wipe down the rest of your tub with a damp rag. Once the rest of the tub is clean, you can use a fiberglass polish to give your fiberglass tub a polished and shiny finish.

Identifying Your Fiberglass Tub Crack

• First, you’ll need to identify the type of crack you have. The following are the most common types of fiberglass tub cracks: 

• Deep gouges – Deep gouges are the most common type of crack found in fiberglass tubs. They occur when a hard object, like a foot or piece of furniture, scratches the fiberglass tub. Deep gouges do not extend all the way through the fiberglass tub wall. 

• Wide cracks with rough edges – This type of crack is caused by shrinkage in the fiberglass tub during the curing process. It happens because the polyester resin that’s used to make fiberglass tubs shrinks more than the surrounding polyester gel coat. As a result, wide cracks with rough edges often appear after a tub has been in use for a while. 

• Narrow cracks with smooth edges – These types of cracks are typically caused by temperature or humidity variations. They can also be the result of settling or floor movement.

Preparing The Fiberglass Tub For Repair

1. The first step to repairing your fiberglass tub is to prepare it for the repair process. Here are some things you should do before you get started: 

2. Cover the surrounding surfaces – To protect the nearby areas from the dust and other contaminants that can be created during the repair process, cover the surrounding areas with drop cloths.

3. Remove fixtures and accessories – Remove any fixtures and accessories from the tub to make it easier to repair. – Run a surface test – Run a surface test on the tub to ensure it’s ready for the repair process.

4. Sand and clean the tub – Remove any loose particles from the tub, and then sand the entire surface before you move on to the repair process.

Repairing The Fiberglass Tub Crack

• You’ll need a few supplies for this part of the process. Here are the essentials: Fiberglass resin – You’ll need fiberglass resin to repair the crack. 

• Fiberglass mesh – This will provide the strength and support needed to repair the crack. 

• Silicone resin – This is used to thicken the fiberglass resin. 

• Roller – This is used to apply the fiberglass resin to the crack. 

• Plastic putty knife – You’ll use this to clean and scrape off the excess resin that’s left after the repair process. 

• Sandpaper – This is used to sand the repair area once the resin has fully hardened. 

• Respirator – You’ll need to wear a respirator during this part of the repair process.

Conclusion

Now, you know how to fix a cracked fiberglass tub. With these five easy ways, you can make quick and easy repairs to your tub in no time at all. From patching the crack with a fiberglass repair kit to reinforcing the area with fiberglass mesh tape, you’ll be able to quickly and easily