HOW TO ENAMEL YOUR BATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22824, 7 March 1936, Page 26

HOW TO ENAMEL YOUR BATH

A SIMPLE JOB IF.YOU FOLLOW THESE HINTS Of all household equipment I think r>ossibly a really luxurious bath would be a housewife's most treasured possession (says an exchange). Indeed, to possess one such as I saw recently would be the sheerest joy. It was of the palest grey marble, with oxidised silver taps, and along with it were all the most modern comfort-making, hygienic, and decorative accessories. Such baths we cannot all boast of, but we can have an attractive bath which fulfils its function. Thus the easily-cleaned porcelain enamel bath, beautifully white, is very pleasing, and seems far removed from the iron bath which must be periodically enamelled. Notwithstanding the trouble entailed, many houses still have this type of iron bath, and its systematic treatment is one of the problems with which the housewife has to deal.

In the first place, it is well to impress upon the household the fact that the bath must not be used for a fortnight after the renovation is completed. This renders the work unpopular, but the result more than justifies the temporary discomfort.

It is best to turn off each tap as securely as possible, and under each to suspend a small jar to catch any drips there may be. Some people put corks into the taps, but this i 6 not really so efficacious. At the outset the bath must be absolutely clean, with not a speck of grease remaining on it. It can be carefully cleaned with a soapy solution of water containing a little soda. Many dirty marks can be removed by one of the excellent scouring powders. Other marks can be removed by applying one or paraffin. When all is clean if. may be rinsed with warm water first, then with cold, and the surface thoroughly dried with clean cloths. When (his is accomplished, rubbing all over with sandpaper is necessary to give the bath a smooth surface, after which it should be carefully dusted to remove any orrittiness. and it will then be ready for the painting. The choice of a bath enamel is very important. Only good standard makes should be used; poor ones simply make the whole job not worth while.

First the foundation must be laid, and no polish is needed on this; therefore an enamel which 'will dry with a dull appearance is required, and there should be sufficient of this for two coats. To give the glossy finish we all love there must be sufficient of such an enamel to give one coat —the third and last.

The applications of enamel should be thin. Some of the discoloration is sure to shine through the first coat, but this does not matter. The first application should be left to dry completely. This may take two or three days, but not until the bath in quite dry should the next coat be applied. Again, this should be a thin coat, but the result will be a more perfect obliteration of the ugly marks and a whiter appearance of the bath. Another two or three days are needed before this is dry and the final stage is reached, when the glossy enamel may b<> put on. Great care must be taken with this process, for if too much enamel is put on it will run into lumpy patches, quite spoiling the appearance of the bath When the bath appears (o be perfectly dry then it ie well to fill the bath with cold water and allow it to run out. Hot water should not be put in first, but the heat of the water may be gradually increased.

Rubber stoppers or plugs are much more sensible than are metal ones, which so readily mar the appearance of the newly-enamelled bath.