How do i repair aluminium lining on bathtub?

[bossnass15]

Hi there,

Was wondering how do I repair this aluminium bathroom lining on the bathtub? The dent is caused by my 2 year old kid hitting it with a small toy car.

Thanks

[EricL]

Hello @bossnass15 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about the lining of your tub.

Aluminium is a soft metal and is easy to bend, bump and cut. But when kinked or compressed it is impossible to bend it back into shape. Because it is in such an inaccessible position, I'm afraid it can't be fixed. You could try to disguise it with a bit of Waxstix, you'll just need to refresh the cover as it is not a permanent repair.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[bossnass15]

Thanks @EricL . Yea i was thinking of disguising it, and then potentially spraying/painting it? What would be the material, tools, etc needed to do the job?

Having said that, not sure if it's aluminium though just guessing as it's some sort of metalic lining.

[EricL]

Hi @bossnass15 

I suppose you could give the spray painting a go, just make sure that you are using the correct colour. Making it darker or lighter will make the damage stand out even more. All you need is some masking tape to cover the area you are not spraying and a can of spray paint. Just keep in mind that it is a light touch up and not a full paint over.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[bossnass15]

Thanks @EricL .

What metallic putty/bog and what spray can i use to best fix this from the Bunnings catalogue?

[EricL]

Hello @bossnass15 

I propose having a look at Selleys 50g Knead It Aqua Epoxy Putty if you're thinking about using a putty like substance. As for the spray paint, I suggest visiting your local store so that you can see the colours available. Please note that none of these spray paints are rated for high moisture environments so it will be necessary to touch it up every now and then as it fades or chips.

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @bossnass15 

Mmmmm I have look at your pic a few times but I am not sure what dent you are talking about? If its that straight line in the flat edge of the bath then yes I can see it

If its that line then I have an idea instead of spraypainting it as I think it will show  up as being painted.

Think "snake and ladders" think "road runner" or even a song that your child likes. Then using a suitable paint pen, draw it out on the edge of the bath like you see sometimes on car doors or a tattoo. You will probarly have to retrace it every now and then but its a feature insted of a fixed ding.

Finding a paint pen that will stay marked on a bath may be a problem but the paint guys will know

Dave

[bossnass15]

Hi @Dave-1 ,

Here it is: 

Probably more a small chip than a dent, but it's annoying that when one enters the bathroom, the skylight in the bathroom hits the spot and highlights it (shiny) to make it more obvious.

[Dave-1]

Evening @bossnass15 

Whoops, had the wrong mark by a long way lol

Thats going to be a little difficult to repair, its such a fine point right on the edge... Mmmmm maybe a gentle sand with some emery paper over the end of a 20mm wide piece of timber (think toungue depressor with a strip of sandpaper/emery paper) But go very slow and gently so not to make it stand out more, all you are after is removing that shine as trying to remove the dint might be a lot more effort.

I would sand the way you would use a **bleep** file. Diagonally and run along the edge. trying to keep the tongue depressor flat/level. You will end up with fin scratches I expect so if thats unacceptable I would wait until we have some other ideas

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @bossnass15 

Personally I think anything you do to cover a very tiny dent is potentially going to be more of an eye-sore. Regardless of how well you paint that aluminium strip, it will wear off. Not to mention spoil the look of the clean trim line. I would use a metal nail file on the fine side and just give it a very light touch up. Or place tape over it and give it a light tap with a hammer and small punch to knock it back in.

It's one of those things that you notice it now, but over a small period of time it will be forgotten about. I am very fussy on things like this. It's taken a very long time to learn that lesson. I have 3 tiny dents in my fridge that I have no idea where they came from. They stuck out for weeks, now they virtually don't exist.

Nailbag