chipped porcelain,etc. in tub?

[frompa]

Hi all, our bathtub has a chip in the porcelain right under the dripping faucet.  Before I fix the drip, I might as well try to fix the porcelain, I'm thinking.  Also, the tub has some sort of plastic like coating that has been wearing away for the last year.  So.  Any ideas how I re-do this baby?  Is this a DIY project?  I would appreciate any advice you all can offer.  Thanks.

[JoeP]

Home Depot, etc., sell porcelain repair epoxies that can be color matched to your tub.  It's an expensive fix.  If you apply it carefully and follow instructions it can be a pretty invisible repair.

[frompa]

Thanks, JoeP.  I take it you did this and it worked?  Anybody have any ideas on the plastic-like coating?  I attacked it with some vigorous scrubbing this weekend, and got rid of the most slimed up portion of it.  I don't understand the function this stuff is supposed to play.  Or, to put it another way, why do people put stuff like this on a bathtub?  Hmm..

[JoeP]

Usually porcelain doesn't have a plastic coating. I've installed many cast iron tubs with porcelain finish and never encountered a coating on the porcelain.  I've only seen coating on fiberglass/plastic tubs.  Are you sure the surface is porcelain?

[frompa]

Well, it's hard like porcelain.  Hmm.  Another hint that may tell something (but please tell me what):  Where the hole is, and where the water continues to drip, there is a rust-like stain developing.  I never saw plastic do that. But then, I don't know my materials as well as you do.  I'd appreciate any more advice you have in you.  Thanks -

[MsPeacock]

Your tub may have been resurfaced at some point.  That would leave a plastic like coating. I had a badly chipped tub done once and the stuff doesn't last forever (tub was about 60 years old and probably had one prior recoat). If you can patch it with a kit from HD and then prevent the drip it should hold for at least a couple years.