Copper claw foot tub

by brae  

Stepping further into creative license here.  I know that a tall tank loo isn't exactly 1920s, but I really like the Chrysnbon Victorian set for a vintage bathroom and I don't know when I'll next build a house where it would be even remotely appropriate.  So, the Chrysnbon bathroom kit has found a home in the Haunted Heritage.

For the bathtub, I first masked off the top and sprayed the bottom with Burnished Copper Metal by Rust-Oleum.  I let that set for well over a week, not for any particular reason other than life kept moving along after I sprayed it.  :]

To make the inner portion a different color, I traced the tub onto a piece of heavy paper and cut an opening just wide enough to have the tub sit inside to cover the copper painted portion.  Quite fitting that this is an ad for Restoration Hardware, no?

I used masking tape on the opposite side and pressed the tub onto the surface.

I sprayed the inner portion of the tub and the sides with Krylon Gloss Ivory.  After the first coat, I noticed the inside of the tub wasn't as glossy as the overhang.  I thought that would work well for an old tub, so I didn't add too much more paint to the bottom of the tub.

I sanded the edge to remove any excess paint and roughed up the surface in a few areas.  It's an old tub, after all.  I had a little bit of overspray even with my precautions, but that didn't matter in the end.

I used acrylic paint washes in black and robin's egg blue to darken and age the copper.

The feet were sprayed with flat black, but I added a black acrylic wash to them to tone down a little bit of the shine.  I'll age the inside of tub later when I install the faucets but so far, I love it!

The copper color of the tub brings out the copper color in the flooring.  I love how this little plastic tub looks like real metal.  :D

14 comments

Comment from: Lyssa [Visitor]
Oooh! It looks even better then the inspiration picture you sent! :) How are you planning to age the inside? Chipped porcelain? Water rings? :D
04/10/12 @ 19:21
Comment from: Lucille [Visitor]
Perhaps Grandma got a good bargain on the tall tank loo and went for it?!! You did a super job on the tub, Brae! I love how you've aged it. It looks so good offset against the beadboard wall. I think the tall tank loo will look great in this bathroom. It goes so well with this tub. I have the same kit. I just haven't built it yet. It's a very popular kit.
04/10/12 @ 19:44
Comment from: Cristina Bottaro [Visitor]
A beautiful bath tub! Cheers and kisses in your heart.
04/10/12 @ 20:52
Comment from: Lori [Visitor]
What an awesome job you are doing on everything! I love following your blog :)
04/10/12 @ 22:08
Comment from: Josje [Visitor]
I love it too! It is gorgeous! And it looks really good with the colours of the floor you are using.
04/11/12 @ 02:09
Comment from: Keli Minick [Visitor]
Nice job on the tub, I love the blue and black on the copper, it makes it so realistic.
04/11/12 @ 04:26
Comment from: Heather [Visitor]
I always wished I lived in a house with one of these in the bathroom, there's just something so cool about a claw footed tub. Yours looks wonderful.
04/11/12 @ 06:22
Comment from: Roxygirl [Visitor]
The tub finish looks amazing!!! great job!
04/11/12 @ 14:28
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you! :D Even though showers are wonderfully convenient, I wish I had a claw foot tub, too! :yes:
04/11/12 @ 19:44
Comment from: elizabeth [Visitor]
This tub looks perfect!
01/21/13 @ 21:32
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thanks so much!!! :>>
01/24/13 @ 21:43
Comment from: Justine Self [Visitor]
Your tub turned out beautifully.
02/06/14 @ 10:11
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you! :D
02/10/14 @ 09:20
Comment from: anita smiley [Visitor]
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have one, well two (in case I mess up) and wanted to paint the inside and out. I saw this in your mini home and fell in love. I do think it is one of the best claw foot tubs for the price and now I've just learned how to make it fabulous! (cheesy, I know) :) Thank you for sharing. Anita
02/12/15 @ 20:58


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