The drain thing in my bathtub is horrible looking as you can see

Question

I've done a lot of painting recently and I used the tub to clean out my brushes and rollers and over a period of time, this is the result. The bathroom -especially the tub- is seldom used, but I want to do something to make this look better. I also have to scrub the tub itself super well because it's taken on some of the colors. Can I buy a replacement for this formerly silver drain? I'm nearly sure the part with holes can be pried out and replaced, but what about the part that's ruined? Will some kind of cleaning product - I haven't tried anything yet - remove whatever this is? It looks like rust, but I don't know if it is or not.

Allie Knapp · Answer

Yes at lowes

Anne Sweeney · Answer

You might try Tarnex

Mudduck001 · Answer

it is threaded to the pipe under your tub. You have to unscrew it and replace it with a new one. They sell replacements at Walmart or any Hardware store. You will also need plumber's putty to put under the lip of the new drain before you install. Roll the putty into about a 1/4 to 3/8 diameter log and put under the new drain, screw it tight and remove access putty. You have to make sure that, that fitting is tight or it will leak under your tub and rot the floor under your tub.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Take the piece out of the tub and bring to Home Depot for the plumbing rep to match up the right size for you.

Louise · Answer

Hmmmmm, I think I'll have a handyman do it. I'd have no idea how to get to the pipe under my tub and might not screw it tightly enuf. Maybe I'll try first to get the dirty-looking stuff off. :-( Thanks for the info., tho.

Snapoutofit · Answer

Drain cover: http://www.faucetdirect.com/moen-101663-4-1-4-round-shower-drain-cover-with-snap-in-installation/p1029161?source=gg-gba-pla_1029161____40890997763&s_kwcid=PTC!pla!!!75493999968!g!!40890997763!&gclid=Cj0KEQiAqemzBRDh2vGKmMnqoegBEiQAqJPuyHcJo3aUQZvNR38SvKcgaUcIrW4f3LVtUwBMcZOdxEwaAj6y8P8HAQ

JoAnn Robinson · Answer

You don't need to unscrew it from under the tub. They make an inexpensive tool, available at any hardware store, that unscrews it from the top. Then follow 'Mudduck's' advice, take the ring to the store and get a replacement. It's a simple and easy job!

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

I'd try an SOS first. The stain may only be superficial.

Nancy · Answer

If this is an old tub, be cautious when you try to pry the ring out.  Give this old trick a try first.  Use a wadded up piece of aluminum foil and gently try to scrub some of the rust off.  Aluminum foil does a great job of removing rust  on old chrome furniture legs.  It's worth a try and you have nothing to lose.  Before you try to pry it out, take a photo of it to a plumber.  Not everyone stocks the right rings for old tubs.

Amber R Titus · Answer

Try My bartenders friend.

Barbara · Answer

I agree with Nancy, I'd try the aluminum foil scrub and I'd add some Bar Keepers Friend to the drain itself. Bar Keepers friend is available at grocery stores, is less abrasive than other products (Comet, etc). You might try a soak first (very very hot water with vinegar and baking soda, Close the drain, sprinkle baking soda on the stained drain and pour boiling water with 1/2 cup of white vinegar directly on the 'rusty' part. Best of luck!

Mary Robinson · Answer

They make a cover that can fit over it. Try Amazon...

Lompoc · Answer

No question, KL2R just worked for me. It makes chrome sparkle!

Jerry · Answer

the tub thingy will unscrew. take a pair on needle nose pliers stick in outer most holes and turn counter clockwise(left)

Madeleine Benny · Answer

Je crois que vous pouvez acheter ce morceau dans une quicaillerie

Patricia Meredith · Answer

I had this problem at my mom's house.  I used Comet or Ajax and scrubbed it with steel wool until the brass showed.

Judy · Answer

You have gotten a lot of good suggestions for cleaning it, one more product you can try is Bar Keepers Friend - this will work on the drain and tub/shower (use gloves & mask) -- BUT I wouldn't use elbow grease, I would just replace the the drain screen and support. Bring this same picture to hardware store and they will explain how to - not that difficult or expensive.

Rae · Answer

If the finish is ruined on this forget trying to restore it and just replace the drain. some things can not be fixed no matter how much you try

Mar3200928 · Answer

ty fat 0ff. then steelw0l. then all purbers cleaniner. elmbow crease , arms w0rk can work, hard work

Mar3200928 · Answer

sorry english spelling bad

Mar3200928 · Answer

0r vinerger and steelwol

Luu · Answer

There is a bath tub drainer stopper from Watco sold at home depot for 29.99 that you could glue it over.  The resurfacing bath tub company also recommends that

Susan · Answer

Good suggestions but since this tub is seldom used, just get a little tube of silver Rub-n-Buff at any craft store.  For about five bucks it will look brand new and last a really long time if you don't use abrasives on the tub.  Easy peasy!

Nth2552025 · Answer

Use CLR

Angela Herremans · Answer

If the bath enamel has been affected you could use something like CLR it's a brand of cleaner that you soak items in or even driveways here in Australia it's for cleaning calcumui and rust build up :-) I have no idea what the L stands for :-) but I do know that it works a treat :-) as for the metal fittings you can use a chrome polish from an automotive dealer which they sell for keeping those lovely chrome parts all nice and shine :-) and a small tube will last for years and you can use it on all of your door handles to give them a nice new lease on life too :-) You will find the thing with holes will screw out just not sure in what direction you have to turn it but get two long screwdrivers and push down in the holes directly across from each other and give it a push, if it's hard to move use some WD-40 this will help to free up the grate for you :-) Alright looked it up :-) found out the L stands for lime :-) http://www.jelmar.com/CLRbasic.htm Here is a link so you can see what the packaging looks like :-) I hope that helps :-)

Thalia Kottke · Answer

Before you spend a bunch of money, try pouring some Pepsi on it, the bubbles and the citric acid help take it off. The put a little on the stain and let it sit until the fizzing stops, then clean it with whatever you usually use. The carbonation and acid will soften up the paint stains making them easy to wipe away.

Teri Holliday Bloom · Answer

Bar Keepers Friend or Cameo scrubs are soft enough to not scratch but tough enough to clean it right off and shine it in the process.

Lynn Palmatier · Answer

BonAmi or Barkeepers are polishers and not abrasive, if it isn't rust. They should help the tbu as well. Bon Ami is a product suggested by Corningware for cleaning their pots/pans for more than 30 years. Works great on glass, porcelain and stainless steel. If it is rust the ring will feel pitted and rough. Better to replace it. Available at Lowe's, Home Depot or Ace Hardware. they should come in a set (ring and strainer) ... These items are usually chromed and when scratched can rust.

Pete Sakes · Answer

Whinks Rust Remover should take it off but might leave pits. If that were mine I'd clean it really good With Whinks, sand a bit (being careful not to sand the tub area, maybe use a fingernail file), wash and dry well, tape off the tub and paint it whatever color I wanted.

Sherrie · Answer

Replace it.  It is never going to look right again.  Even if you get the rust off it will continue eto rust.  Sometimes no amount of cleaning will fix something.  If it does it is a temporary solution.  This is one that will be temporary at best.
But to remove the rust use a weak soultion of muratic acid, even the kind in toilet bowl  cleaner will remove it.  Pour and scrub it should come off.  Then I would find a sealer to seal it with until you can replace it.

The drain thing in my bathtub is horrible looking as you can see

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The drain thing in my bathtub is horrible looking as you can see

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