Author Topic: Hot tub shell repair  (Read 8536 times)

db_cooper

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 41
Hot tub shell repair
« on: July 21, 2014, 08:44:31 PM »
Trying to keep our 16 year old hot tub running as long as possible, since it's just a tub of hot water, don't need a fancy new one.  Over the years I've put a new pump, heater,  and pressure switch, not to mention a few plastic handles and a new cover.  This weekend found a new problem; a blister formed in the acrlic shell, and was oozing out a brown fluid which is most likely the bonding agent and some of the color from the underlying fiberglass. 

Since it was time to change the water anyways,  I drained the tub, and thanks to the internet, found I had the materials on hand that I needed to repair it.   I cut out the bubble of acrylic with a carpet knife, chipping the big chunks out,  then took a dremel and cut off wheel and trimmed up to where the acrylic was still bonded.   I then used a hair dryer to quickly dry the fiberglass.   I happened to have a can of Marine Tex 2 part epoxy on hand for emergency sea kayak repairs,  and since I didn't care about matching the color of the shell on an old tub,  I just mixed up the white and slathered it in.  Came home today, after curing 24 hours,  sanded it smooth, and refilled the tub.  Of course I noticed another smaller blister once I had the tub 2/3rds full,  hopefully it won't pop for a few months when it's time to change the water.

Feels good keeping the old cars and everything else working as long as possible!




Boz86

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 117
Re: Hot tub shell repair
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2014, 07:26:09 AM »
Feels good keeping the old cars and everything else working as long as possible!

yes it does! although my neighbors are starting to get a laugh out of the shape of our riding lawnmower. It was left behind by a renter. Son managed to send it tumbling down a hill -- long story, he wasn't on it.

So it's rough looking but still runs well. Who needs headlights on a mower anyway?

dragoncar

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9923
  • Registered member
Re: Hot tub shell repair
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2014, 10:09:48 AM »
Sheesh, good job.  Thinking of a hot tub purchase in the future -- can I expect to get 13 years out of it like you?  Are there certain models/designs that are more reliable?

db_cooper

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 41
Re: Hot tub shell repair
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2014, 06:00:20 PM »
Boz - I need headlights,  the grass here grows in Nov and Feb, and it gets dark really early! :)

wish I had a good answer for that dragoncar.  I'm in the same boat,  I know I'll need to replace this one some day,  and I'd like to get a Craigslist deal instead of new.  This one was a Caldera brand, and it's been great;  I'm not really disappointed that I'm getting blisters this late in the game.  However,  I have no way of knowing if new Calderas are built as well.   I'm a little concerned that they could be using different bonding agents between the acrylic and fiberglass layers  (more green) these days, that there may be some differences as to how they were built 15 years ago. 

Like cars they do depreciate immediately,  so I think if you find a Craigslist deal on one less than 5 years old, it's worth taking a chance.  I would only get an older tub if I was planning on moving in the next 5 years, and wanted to leave it with the house sale.

One thing that I think has made this one last so long is that we run it year round,  it's only been empty for one 4 month period when we moved.  Here in the PNW it's never too cold or too hot outside to not use.    I know people who drain and don't use in the winter (I don't get it),  and the temperature changes are hard on them.  We have pretty cheap electricity, so I think it's worth it, I figure $10 - 15 a month.  And as for being Mustachian,  in the winter we keep the house a bit cool, if we get cold we jump in the hot tub, and we're good for several hours in the house.  Also, we've got a cheap place on Puget Sound with a view of the Olympic Mountains,   so it's been well worth the price to have a warm place (and memories)  to enjoy the outdoors, especially after hiking or skiing!

NVDee

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 38
Re: Hot tub shell repair
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2014, 10:42:16 AM »
db_cooper,

care to share your hot tub cover replacement?  was it a DIY project as well ?  Ours is so water logged that even with two people it is nearly impossible to fit.  I'd love to make a new one but have yet to find any usable/useful information or experience DIY ideas out there in the world wide web...


db_cooper

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 41
Re: Hot tub shell repair
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2014, 10:38:39 PM »
NVdee,  No, we purchased a replacement from spadepot.com,   and it happens to be local to Olympia, WA, so we saved shipping by picking it up at the warehouse. 

After 7 years it's waterlogged too, so we've given it some thought,  but even though we can unzip the cover,  and  dry out the foam, without a way to cover the foam again with a vacuum seal it just doesn't seem like it would stay light very long.  We're hoping it will last a few more years and maybe die the same time as the tub itself.

We never use the bubble wrap over the water either,  it woulld probably help prolong the cover, but it's too much hassle when trying to use the tub during less than perfect weather.  First world problems! :)

melissalara

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Re: Hot tub shell repair
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2015, 11:14:04 PM »
It's really good that you have maintained your hot tubs for so long. Nowadays, hot tubs come with very good covers that protect it from retaining heat inside the tubs also protect from harmful effect of sun. As these covers are insulated by expanded polystyrene material ,this has more heat retaining capacity. I have been searching more about the different types of covers to maintain the hot tubs, here, this has many colorful tub covers.