Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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How to Paint Bathtub Jets
Q. I have a bathtub with jets attached. They are brass coated as I was cleaning the suction plate and the brass started coming off. My faucet is a Moen in silver and the whole bathroom is in silver finishes. I want to know how I can achieve a dark antique look to the jets? I tried to paint them with Rustoleum Tub and Tile two part epoxy but the paint just comes right off and doesn't adhere even after sanding, etc. Can someone give me some ideas so I can try to get the jets as close to a color that won't clash with silver? I already looked into buying new jets...my jets will not come off (must be older type) and the tub is surrounded in tile. I would have to remove the whole surround to get to the jets. Thanks!
Sandra D. Championhome - Somonauk, Illinois, USA
2005
A. Sodium chloride 37 parts
ammonia
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links] water 75 parts
Ammonium chloride
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links]
37 parts
Strong wine vinegar
⇦in bulk on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links] 5,000 parts
Mix and dissolve. Apply to object to be treated, with a camel's hair pencil. Repeat the operation until the desired shade of green is reached.
It won't come off easy, but if it does, re-apply.
Notes on the contents,
The Ammonium chloride can be purchased at most hobby shops or www.wardsci.com
You are using the acetic acid
⇦this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links] in the wine vinegar, goto a good darkroom shop and ask, you only need it at about 30%. www.wardsci.com has this as well.
Good luck.
Blacksmith - Shiloh, North Carolina
Q. Did you try this? I have the same issue with gold jets I want to paint.
Gail zambon- Michigan
August 17, 2024
A. Hi,
Getting sufficient adhesion to metal for underwater use is problematic. But use a tampico scrub brush
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links] with strong detergent like TSP
⇦this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
or Spic and Span
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links]
plus pumice
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links] . Then apply a self-etching primer
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links]
. Then a finish coat of whatever paint you like.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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