Clawfoot tub restoration (also referred to as antique or heritage bathtub restoration) produces stunning results when carried out on very old, cast iron, free-standing bathtubs.

Clawfoot bathtubs can still be found in paddocks and backyards, sometimes serving as a water trough. They are often in poor condition, but underneath the muck, rust and degraded porcelain there is a solid cast iron tub almost as good as the day it left the foundry 80, 90 or 100 years ago.

Restoration Process

The restoration process is a multi-step procedure which culminates in resurfacing the carefully repaired surfaces with a proprietary 2-part urethane coating formulated for bath resurfacing. The multi-step procedure can be summarised as follows:

The bathtub is first sand-blasted to clean away rust and remains of degraded porcelain, leaving a raw, rust-free cast iron tub as the starting point.

The outside of the tub is then either filled and resurfaced to give a glass-like finish similar to the inside of the tub, or more usually the rough cast iron is primed and resurfaced without modification. This preserves the original appearance, including visible patch repairs in the original mould and the manufacturer’s markings.

The external surfaces of the bathtub can be colour-matched to contrast with the light or dark colours in the heritage floor tile design.

The inside of the bath tub is then repaired and profiled using proprietary fillers and a high build 2-part primer.

Classic Surface, a proprietary, 2-part urethane system is then applied, followed by heat cure.

The claw feet are restored at the same time as the tub. After heat cure, the feet are fitted and the tub is prepared for collection/delivery.

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Restoration Choices

The original feet can either be

• resurfaced in the same colour as the outside of the bath (popular), or
• repaired, primed and coated with a metallised epoxy chrome or gold effect finish.

or alternatively, copies can be supplied in solid brass, highly polished and sealed.

Missing or damaged feet can usually be copied, provided the retaining slots on the bath tub are still intact.

Clawfoot Restoration Cost

The cost of clawfoot tub restoration will depend on the condition of the internal/external surfaces and the claw feet. Other factors include transportation and requirements for restoration of the feet.

A full restoration of inside and outside surfaces together with resurfaced feet will usually be between $2,000 and $3,000 excluding delivery and collection.

Pedestal Basin Restoration

Original cast iron pedestal basins look superb when resurfaced in matching colours alongside the newly restored clawfoot tub.

Restoring a damaged, rusted pedestal basin can be labour intensive, but the results are worth the time and effort.

Pedestal Basin Restoration Cost

The cost or restoring an old cast iron pedestal basin is dependant on size and condition. If done at the same time as a clawfoot tub, the cost will usually be between $700 and $850 excluding fittings and transport.