Good Questions: How To Remove Scratches From My Tub?

Hello AT,

My bathtub is scratched (from cleaning my window screens in the tub) and I was wondering if there was a way to fix it. i.e someone who could come in an spray a layer of special paint, etc?

Thanks, Keely

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Dear Keely,
Depending on what kind of tub you have, you can fix the scratches in different ways. First, you might want to see if the scratches are just aluminum marks ON the surface of your tub. These might go away with bleach and a stiff metal scrubbee. We found this link for cleaning and repairing acrylic tubs, and this link for repairing a fiberglass tub. If you want to resurface your whole tub, that is another thing, but not hard to do. Here is a thread on tub refinishers. Anyone else?

(Pic by Feverish)

Comments (3)

Just wanted to say that I used white vinegar and a Mr. Clean eraser and within 2 minutes had gotten all of the grey marks that a plumber's snake had left in our porcelain toilet. It really works! Thanks for the help!

Here's a method that works well for me. Often, the marks are not really scratches that compromise the enamal, but are marks on top of the enamel. The original post is a good example; aluminum is pretty soft and can make marks without damaging the underlying enamel.

This method is for enamel cast iron or steel tubs. NOT fiberglass, and NOT plastic.

Try rubbing the spots with a plain sponge and Cameo. Cameo is made for polishing stanless steel pans, which are pretty durable. You can get it at any grocery store or Wal-Mart. It's abrasive enought to polish off any soft marks, but not abrasive enough to damage stainless pans, or in this case, enamel. Don't get carried away and this should work fine. Extreme polishing may harm the polish on the enamel, but I have not had any issues with this approach.

Dampen the sponge, and dust the scratch with Cameo. Rub the powder into the scratch making a paste like toothpaste. Check often, and stop as soon as the marks are gone.

JL

Had some aluminum level rub marks on both my new toilet and bathtub, tried several cleaners with NO results. Tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and all it did was SELF DESTRUCT. Not being able to find my Bartenders Helper, I found some Cameo Aluminum & Stainless Steel Cleaner, thinking that it may work since the stain was from aluminum RUBS....worked like magic with only a damp sponge and a slurry of Cameo. Cameo is available nearly everywhere at less than a dollar for 10 ounces. I checked the results with a good light and could find NO evidence of any damage to the porcelain. Of course be sure that AFTER finishing your mark removal, that you rinse and dry the area thoroughly, since Cameo does contain a mild acid in addition to polishing agents in it's formulation.