Most people could
be forgiven for thinking that resurfacing cast iron baths is a
fairly new service, not so, bath resurfacing has been around for
as long as baths have and modern technology means that even new
Acrylic and GRP baths can now be resurfaced as well.
Before cast iron baths were vitreous coated ( this was only around
the late 1800s ) you would buy from a hardware store and return
home with it as a smooth cast surface inside and rough cast on
the outside, the most popular method of surface treatment was
to paint the inside and outside using a product called chez lui,
a type of hard lacquer painted on in mostly a tortoise shell pattern,
however this would almost certainly only last up to one year at
most and sometimes less, this service was offered by tradesmen
not unlike The Bath Doctor but was not exactly cheap.
After about 1890 more and more baths were vitreous coated, this
was an expensive service and would often double the cost of a
new bath but by about 1910 all baths were coated with a thick
vitreous layer and this method of surfacing a bath was so good
that most resurfacing products became redundant.
In modern times bath resurfacing has become popular again as a
cheaper alternative to replacement, no need to disturb the surrounding
area so no need for expensive tile replacement or even plumbing
as most bath resurfacing is carried out in the home, any colour
can be mixed to suit existing fittings, you can even tailor make
your own colour and design.
