Contractor Left Micro Scratches on Acrylic Tub (We Have a Fix)
When a contractor comes into your home you trust them to construct, install, work on, or repair whatever you have hired them to come and do. Unfortunately, sometimes they are not as careful as you would like, and they can leave scratches on what they are working on.
If you have hired a contractor to install your acrylic tub, then the worst outcome is for them to leave scratches on your tub. Even if this contactor had only come into your home in order to work on something near your tub. If they leave your tub with more scratches than there were before, you have a problem.
Wash the scratched area with a sponge and water, then rub the area with a polishing compound like Gel-gloss. You can also dampen the area and clean the scratches with toothpaste to make the acrylic look better. Put a small amount of car wax on a washcloth, clean the scratches in a circular motion, and dry the area.
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Using Toothpaste
Although it might be unconventional to use toothpaste to clean your bathtub, it does work at getting out micro scratches. All you will need for this method is mild dish soap, a sponge or washcloth, non-abrasive toothpaste, and car wax.
(Yes, you read that correctly, you will be using both toothpaste and car wax on your bathtub.)
Step 1
Begin by rinsing the scratched area. You can easily do this by running water in the tub or splashing the damaged area with water. If you need to, you can use your hand to scoop water onto the scratched area.
This is a pre-rinse and it will be very helpful to remove any micro debris that might be in the micro scratches. Doing this helps to prevent scratches from getting worse as you begin to wash the area.
Step 2
Now we can begin to wash the scratched areas with the dish soap. You can do this by applying it to your damp sponge or washcloth. It does not matter which you choose, whatever you have on hand will work.
If the scratches appear dirty at all you can rub them with soap. Once finished, be sure to rinse thoroughly.
Step 3
The next step might seem odd, but it works! You are going to squirt a small amount of toothpaste onto your sponge or washcloth. Now you will begin to rub the toothpaste over the scratches.
Be sure to wipe the area clean with your damp sponge, and follow-through by rinsing thoroughly. The toothpaste should clean the area, but also buff out steins and micro scratches.
Step 4
The final step is with your car wax. You want to rub the car wax over the scratched areas, once again, using your sponge or washcloth. Make sure to keep all of the wax away from the floor of the tub.
If you happen to spill wax, be sure to wipe it up right away as it may be slippery. The car wax will help to protect the finish of the tub, and can be reapplied every few months.
Tips to Be Successful in This Method
- Through every step, you should be rinsing the tub. This means after each use you need to rinse the tub walls, be sure to avoid a buildup of soap, and also residue.
- The less residue you have, the less force you will need to use in the future to clean it.
- If you have a clean tub, it means you are less likely to scratch it again in the future.
- Use only non-abrasive cleaners in the bathtub
- Abrasives will dull the finish and can even scratch it more
- Use soft cleaning supplies. This might include a sponge or microfiber cloth.
Using Liquid Polisher
This method is very simple, and all you need is a liquid polisher such as Gel-Gloss or metal polish.
Step 1
First, take a damp sponge and wash the area with warm water. Use dishwashing liquid to fully clean the area. Then you can rinse the area thoroughly with warm water.
Step 2
Since these are only micro-scratches, do not use any type of abrasive cleaning pads. You also do not want to use chemicals. Be sure to read all labels on the cleaners you plan to use and make sure they are gentle enough to use on your tub.
Step 3
Wipe the area using your damp sponge, and then rise the area completely.
Step 4
Next, you can use a white polishing compound, Gel-gloss, or metal cleaner. You should also be using water and a clean cloth. This cloth can be made from microfiber or another soft material. Rub in a circular motion. The purpose of this is to polish and buff out any of the scratches.
Step 5
Finish up by wiping off anything still on your tub, and rinsing it with warm water. Then dry your tub and it should look good as new!
If It Doesn’t Work (Additional Step)
If the above steps do not work, you may then practice the following step.
This step should be added, BEFORE step 3:
(Example, Step 1, 2, Additional Step, 3, 4, 5)
Use a dampened fine-grit sandpaper. Use circular and even strokes to the areas where there are scratches.
Tips to Be Successful in This Method
- Make sure you have a clean cloth to avoid creating any more micro scratches.
- Check the labels on anything you use on your tub. You need to make sure it will not dissolve the coating you have on your tub.
- Keep your tub clean, this will prevent future scratches.
- Practice all of the steps 1-5, before following the added “if it doesn’t work” step.
- Do not use the sandpaper before attempting to buff out the micro-scratches with just a soft gloss and liquid compound!
What Can I Do If My Contractor Left Micro Scratches?
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to prove that your contractor is the reason for the micro scratches. You can attempt to call the company that installed your tub, but that might not achieve anything.
You can also choose to file a claim with the contractor’s insurance if you really want to, but they might laugh in your face. Although this does feel like a big deal to you, it is not large enough damage to create a case out of.
The best thing to do if you have micro-scratches on your tub that were left by a contractor is to attempt to buff it out yourself with one of the above suggestions.
Do You Need Kitchen And Bath Repair Services?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro tub repair near you.
Related Questions
Should I really use toothpaste to fix my micro scratches?
Yes, using toothpaste is actually very effective in removing micro-scratches.
Do I need a lawyer since my contractor scratched my tub?
In the grand scheme of things, micro scratches are not a big deal. On top of it, you will only need a lawyer if the damage is beyond $25,000. This is because the claim size handled by small claims courts has a limit of $25,000.
Should I automatically use sandpaper to buff out my micro scratches?
No, this is a very bad idea. You should always attempt to buff out your micro-scratches with a liquid, toothpaste, or metal polish first.
Real estate agent and copywriter, originally from California. Chloe brings her real estate expertise into her writing to create effective and helpful home guides for you! When not writing or selling homes, she spends her time as a digital nomad traveling the world.
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