Re-vamping a shower cubicle

[Steve Maskery]

Hi all.

We have a quadrant shower cubicle, c1996. So it's ten years old. It's starting to go rusty at the bottom of all the steel uprights and the paint is flaking off. It's looks pretty unpleasant.

Now I cold just go to B&Q and buy a new one. Last time I went in they had some white ones, some more white ones, and, round the back, there were a few white ones. I could order some special ones. In white. Our suite is Champagne (yes it was fashionable once).

My question is:
Can I refurbish my existing cubicle?

It would mean dismantling it, separating the frame from the glass, taking the steel parts to a firm somewhere, get them to strip it & repaint it.

Would this work? Is it feasible? Will it be cost prohibitive? Anyone done anything like it?

All experiences, suggestions and other comments gratefully received. Maybe even heeded.

Cheers
Steve

 

[nickson71]

hi Steve

this may not be too helpfull ....... but just based on the colour I'd replace the entire suit ............. but I've fitted three bathrooms myself and got a forth one coming up (and I've still not got round to mine yet ) so the DIY route isn't to expensive for me.

Also if you were to sell up in a few years the bathroom would knock a few grand of the house price ........ as you'd get someone taking one look at it and saying "oh new bathroom need" or "got to change that"



Ian

 

[RogerS]

Definitely go for a new one, Steve. I agree 100% with the last post. It's just too much hassle to mess around trying to 'fix' the old stuff. So many bathroom sales around as well.

 

[Colin C]

Hi Steve
I did my bathroom last year and I got my cubicle from wickes and it has been fine but the good thing was that it was about £35 cheaper than B&Q's one that lookjed the same :shock: .
I also got my the basin and toilet from there to but B&Q do some very good sale prices ( just have to get there before they go :roll: )
I hope it helps and good luck with what ever you do

 

[jasonB]

I doubt that the frame is steel, more likely extruded alloy sections that are corroding. Is the gold colour painted , powdercoated or is it annodizing?

I would go for a new one but Your choice in a gold finish will be very limited as it is so out of fasion, I had to get a couple of gold soap dished and a grab rail for a job last year, they were special order and cost £180 - nice quality though. The ones in the sheds are a bit cheap & chearful go for something like Trevi.

The other thing to watch out for is that different manufactures use different size quadrants, the radius/straight edges vary so make sure you get your measurements right.

Jason

 

[Steve Maskery]

Thanks guys, I think.

I'm afraid a new suite is not an option. I can't afford it, the rest of the bathroom is pristine and SWMBO wouldn't let me anyway.

The options are tart it up or live with it. She won't let me put in a white one, and I don't want to. It would look awful.

Jason, it's not Gold, more like Ivory. It's actually quite nice, you know! At least, it was when it was new. But you are right about it not being steel, I've just tried it with a magnet. Good point about the radius.

Thanks all
Steve


I was hoping that someone had had some powder-coating done and could tell me what is involved.

A bit more mulling is required, I think.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Steve,

Another possible option (or not, depending on a number of factors, including do you have a bath as well as a shower cubicle). When we had our bathroom done we had a bath and shower cubicle put in. The rest of the family use the shower cubicle but I much prefer showering in the bath. I have a swivelling glass side, shower head (gravity fed because pressure is OK) at one end and bath taps at the other. I find showering in the bath gives you more room, no problems with everything steaming up and much easier to clean afterwards. The only advantage I can see to a dedicated shower cubicle is that someone with a disability would find it easier to get in and out of than a bath.

The point of all this is that if you have a bath as well, putting in a glass side screen might be another possible option. You could then perhaps patch up the shower cubicle but not use it so it doesn't get any worse.

Paul

 

[ike]

Hi Steve,

I was hoping that someone had had some powder-coating done and could tell me what is involved.

If you can dismantle the frame successfully without bolloxing the glass/seals, your local shotblast/finisher can do the rest. I've had a lot of bits powder-coated for my Landie recently. If anodized, forget re-anodizing, it's not economic. Have it bead-blasted and either powder-coated or wet painted. Powder coat can be either semi-gloss or gloss. If you want a metallic finish, it'll be a 2-pack wet paint. Finishers usually have a limited range of colours they use a lot and will save you a bit if you go for a standard colour they already have in stock. (A custom powder colour sets you back a minimum of £60 or more just for the powder as it comes in a minimum 5kg, whereas a 2-pack can be got in 0.5 litre).

You may find there is a minimum charge for the job - expect maybe up to £20 if there is one.

cheers,

ike