Looking to fix a hole in my tubtrug

April 2, 2015 8:01 PM

I have a tubtrug that I let get too close to my baseboard heater last night. There is now about a 1-2" hole in the side, which I'd like to repair.

I mainly use the tub for washing delicate laundry and general storage so keeping its food-grade status is not a real concern. I think it's important that whatever the patch is, it is somewhat flexible so that it doesn't break and leak when the tub flexes.

I was thinking about epoxy, but I've never used the stuff before. It seems like I should be able to buy a flexible epoxy that I can "build" with to fully cover the hole but my friend disagrees with me that this possible. My googling has not yet been able to sufficiently prove my hypothesis.

Can anyone confirm/deny that epoxy can work the way I think it can, or suggest a better solution to my tub issue?

posted by onehundredand80 to Home & Garden (12 answers total)

Best answer: Try Sugru!
posted by barnone at 8:05 PM on April 2, 2015 [8 favorites]

I've made a solid piece of plastic out of epoxy. Cover the hole with a piece of screening and start spackling on the epoxy. Epoxies vary in the extent to which they're flexible, so you'll have to read the package to see how flexible your choice is. I would epoxy from both the inside and the outside so that the original plastic ends up sandwiched between two layers of new epoxy patch.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:07 PM on April 2, 2015

I like if I only had a penguin's method, but I might use RTV silicone instead of epoxy.
posted by aimedwander at 8:12 PM on April 2, 2015

I came to suggest Sugru, too, which I've used for very similar applications.
posted by MeghanC at 8:34 PM on April 2, 2015

Instead of making a whole patch of sugru you could cut a piece of a tarp or something waterproof and seal the edges with silicone caulk.
posted by irisclara at 8:58 PM on April 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

If Billy Mays were around, he'd recommend this stuff. I've never tried it, but I *have* seen it on tv.
posted by hydra77 at 9:09 PM on April 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: There is a flexible epoxy called G-Flex, but a hole that large is going to need some sort of backer/patch.
Try Tear Aid tape, it's adhesive so no glue needed and it's waterproof. Otherwise try a marine store/Bass Pro Shop/Cabela's and see if they have a patch kit for inflatable boats.
posted by Zedcaster at 10:35 PM on April 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I don't think any sort of expoxy/adhesive method with plastic is going to work. I think that'll just fall off over and over.

I'd do something like... rivet an old scrap of denim or ballistic nylon over it. Or glue that to the tub with some slack in it.
posted by emptythought at 1:40 AM on April 3, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: How high or low up is the hole? Honestly I'd just put a good duct tape on both sides.

When washing delicates, if it is below the water line, tilt the tub to be at an angle to prevent the whole hole area from sustainaed submersion.
posted by tilde at 4:18 AM on April 3, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Is there a recycling symbol on the bottom? The number would tell you what the material is, which in turn would tell you what kind of glues might work.
posted by jon1270 at 5:45 AM on April 3, 2015

Yup, Sugru. You could follow Zedcaster's suggestion and use some kind of tape or patch as a base.
posted by the_blizz at 6:57 AM on April 3, 2015

Response by poster: The Sugru worked!

I could have probably fixed it cheaper, but I was successfully seduced by the idea of sugru and now I have a bunch in my fridge waiting for new repair opportunities.

Thanks guys!
posted by onehundredand80 at 9:05 PM on May 21, 2015