The reclaimer
Nick Cowen from Antique Bathrooms of Ivybridge explains the benefits of investing in a reclaimed and restored cast-iron bath
Nick Cowen from Antique Bathrooms of Ivybridge shares advice for buying salvaged baths
Top of the tubs…
A usable and practical ‘antique’, a reclaimed and restored cast-iron bath can add wow factor to a period bathroom. Old baths are much deeper and generally more comfortable than modern versions so you can really relax in an authentic roll-top tub. People often say that cast-iron baths are cold, but like a cast-iron radiator, once the heat is in the bath it should retain it. Therefore, I suggest you put the water in your bath first, leave it for five minutes, then adjust the temperature before getting in.
Historical designs…
Although people often refer to roll-top baths as Victorian, most were actually mass-produced during the 1920s and 1930s. At the time, Britain was known for its ironworks, and every major town had an iron foundry, making all manner of products, including cast-iron baths. Made from the mid 1800s, these early iron baths were ‘japanned’ with a heavy lead paint, and were pretty rough. If you find a bath without enamel on it – which came in around 1890 – then it is a very old bath, probably 1880 or earlier. From around 1900, only the rich tended to have baths in their big country houses. For the masses, if and when they had a bath – usually weekly or monthly – it was in a tin tub in front of the fire!
What to look for…
Most cast-iron roll-top baths date from between 1910 and 1940, but all of them are a bit different as they came from each town’s foundry. Like today, most baths are from 1.6 to 1.8 metres long, but the width and design – straight sided or tapered (narrow at the feet end) and with plain or patterned feet – can change quite dramatically. English baths usually have the tap holes already created, whereas French ones do not. French baths also tend to be shorter and deeper than English ones and are often ‘double
What to pay…
French baths fetch a premium: unrestored they cost between £200£500; restored and ready to fit, from £1,500 to £2,500 plus. Unrestored English baths cost between £30 and £150, but this depends on how ‘pretty’ they are. Restored, you can expect to pay between £750 and £2,000. ended’ – in other words, for two people to bathe together. You can find unrestored baths in reclamation yards, in private adverts and nowadays on Ebay and Gumtree, for example.
What to avoid…
Always check to see if the bath has been restored or resurfaced before. If the surface is flaking then it will need to be stripped and sanded again, which will entail extra work and, of course, extra cost. The general cost to resurface a bath is from £300 up to £700 plus, but beware of the quick and cheap half-day spray job, which in our experience tends not to last. Aim to use someone who comes recommended, who has been around for a long time and has a good track record.
The outsides of the bath can be quite rough, but this is easily disguised with suitable paints. Water-based paints are not recommended; you need to use oil-based versions, such as satinwood or eggshell for the exterior.
Restoration…
Restoring an original cast-iron bath is not something that happens overnight, but takes around four weeks to complete. Each section of the process has to cure thoroughly before the next stage. Like any form of decorating, preparation is key, and calls for old-fashioned craftsmanship, care and attention to detail.
First of all, the bath’s exterior is stripped, and the feet stripped back to the bare metal to remove existing paint and any rust deposits. A metal primer is then attached, and the interior is etched, providing a key for the primer in the original vitreous enamel. Imperfections in the bath’s surface are repaired and any modifications, such as the relocation of tap holes, carried out.
An epoxy primer is applied and left to cure for 48 hours. After this time the primer finish is prepared for the special mid coat, which is applied, and left to cure for a further 48 hours. The mid coat is prepared in readiness for the top coat, a polyurethane-based enamel that is applied, and the curing process repeated. The enamel is then hand-sanded and mechanically polished to give a smooth, high-gloss finish. The exterior can then be completed with another coat of metal primer and, if required, two coats of colour of your choice. The bath is then waxed and wrapped in readiness for delivery or collection.