# Repair chipped washer tub?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-chipped-washer-tub/216665>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 3, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-chipped-washer-tub/216665 "2003-12-03T05:44:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MyOld85MG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/439d5e/32.png) [@MyOld85MG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyOld85MG)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-chipped-washer-tub/216665/1 "2003-12-03T05:44:09Z")

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We have an old washing machine with porcelain-lined tub.

There are a couple of chipped places with rust showing through.

Is there any reliable way to repair these spots to prevent further rusting (and staining)?

Or do we need to replace the tub?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![TheMadHun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-chipped-washer-tub/216665/2 "2003-12-03T06:02:47Z")

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Every hardware store has the repair kits. It looks like a bottle of nail polish.

Use a rough anti-rust cleanser (Zud or Barkeeper’s Friend) to remove what’s already there, to get a good bond.

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**Author:** ![Extraneous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/0ea827/32.png) [@Extraneous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Extraneous)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-chipped-washer-tub/216665/3 "2003-12-03T06:03:25Z")

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Check with a REAL hardware store (if any still exist) - there is/was a product used to repair dinged porcelin-on-steel sinks - see if you can find it, and instructions on use on rusted metal - you will need to get rid of ALL the rust - maybe acid? Dunno. Ask a real hardware person (read: not walmart, home depot, their ilk)

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**Author:** ![herman\_and\_bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@herman\_and\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herman_and_bill)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-chipped-washer-tub/216665/4 "2003-12-03T11:17:04Z")

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Since its the tub and its not going to be showing and it will get some wear I would use some epoxy, JB Weld frinstance.

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**Author:** ![MyOld85MG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/439d5e/32.png) [@MyOld85MG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyOld85MG)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-chipped-washer-tub/216665/5 "2003-12-03T16:06:29Z")

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Thanks. I’ll check out some of these ideas.

Does anyone else want to cast a vote or venture advice on any of the solutions offered already?