Scratched toilet bowls are not fun to look at, and they can be pretty embarrassing to show off to your guests. Unfortunately, the toilet bowl is bound to get several scratches over time. You can repair it with household items but always consult an expert when the need arises.
To repair a scratched toilet bowl, clean the toilet bowl, turn off the water supply, flush the toilet, dry the scratched area, prepare the repair paste, fill the scratches, then wring and dry the work area. Toilet bowls scratch from harsh cleaners and being hit by hard objects.
Scratching is usually caused by hard water build-up and various objects brushing against the toilet bowl. This post addresses how to repair a scratched toilet bowl and keep it looking new. If not rectieifd early, the scratches may lead to a new toilet install. Keep reading!
What Can Scratch a Toilet Bowl?
Toilet bowls are made from porcelain, ceramic, or vitreous china. Vitreous china combines clay and minerals fired at high temperatures and then glazed to create a rigid, glossy finish for the toilet bowl.
The surface of your toilet bowl can be scratched by harsh and abrasive cleaners or even by a loose ring around the base of the toilet bowl. Although minor scratches on a toilet bowl are not visible to the naked eye, or when the toilet is filled with water, they can cause discoloration if left untreated.
Minor scratches also build up over time, causing more discoloration and scratching to occur in the future if not dealt with immediately. Also, toilet bowl cleaners may cause scratches, stains, and bleaching. Luckily, WD-40 is safe for use on toilets as it doesn’t scratch them.
How to Repair a Scratched Toilet Bowl
Here are the steps for repairing a scratched toilet bowl:
Step 1: Clean the Toilet Bowl
Clean the toilet bowl before moving on to the scratch repair. Put on rubber gloves and mix 1 part bleach with 10 parts water. Dip a toilet brush into the solution and swish it around the inside of the bowl, scrubbing stains and hard-to-reach spots with a sponge or cloth.
Scrub the exterior of the toilet as well, removing any hard water stains, rust, or grime.
Step 2: Turn Off the Water Supply
You will need to turn off the water source if the scratches are located on the inner side. Typically, there is a valve located directly behind the toilet bowl.
Turn it counterclockwise to cut the water supply to your toilet. Also, if the scratches are on the outer side, move to step 4.
Step 3: Flush the Toilet
Run some water back into your toilet bowl to cover up the scratch and give it a flush. The scratch should no longer be visible, and you will have a friendly cleaning agent to clean up any remaining rust or debris in your toilet bowl.
Step 4: Dry the Scratched Area
While the compound is still wet, dry the scratched area of the toilet bowl with a dry rag or towel. Later, dip some tiny portion of the dry rag and use it to wipe the surfaces of the scratches. The alcohol denatures and evaporates at a high rate.
Step 5: Prepare the Repair Paste
Mix equal parts of porcelain repair paste and epoxy-based ceramic to form a heavy cream. The color should be similar to that of toothpaste.
Smooth the mixture over the scratch with a putty knife. These repair pastes can be quickly accessed from repair kits designed specifically for repairing glazed tile, sinks, and toilets.
Step 6: Fill the Scratches
Using the mixed paste, use a toothpick or the tip of the applicator to fill the scratched area. After applying a small area, pull the applicator tip along the scratch to fill all gaps.
Add more paste on the applicator, fill in the scratch, and make it smooth with the existing finish. Repeat this process for every scratch.
Step 7: Wringing and Drying
Use a wet microfiber to wring it out on the pasted scratches and leave it barely damp. Wipe all excess epoxy paste within the surrounding of the scratches. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the paste to dry before allowing water flow. If you use any silicone caulk, give it enough time to dry.
How to Prevent Scratching a Toilet Bowl
Repairing scratches on a toilet bowl is not always a good idea. You can prevent scratches on a toilet bowl by using the following tips:
- Avoid using bleaching agents: Although they seem effective for removing stubborn stains, using bleach on stains can cause scratches on the surface.
- Consider making homemade cleaning solutions: You can reliably make your cleaning solution by mixing one part of water and vinegar with three parts of baking powder. This produces the best cleaning solution that will barely scratch your toilet bowl.
- Ensure Cleanliness: Leaving your toilet bowl with stains will increase its chances of getting scratched. Such stains will be hard to eliminate in most cases, necessitating stiff brushes and bleaching solutions.
- Set aside an accessible cleaning brush: Always place a special soft cleaning brush next to your toilet bowl. It will be accessible to every user when minor stains may emerge. This will ensure no stubborn stains will develop chances of developing scratches. Also, flush the toilet every time after cleaning it.
- Avoid using acidic cleaning agents as they increase the chances of scratches on your toilet bowl.
- Repair minor scratches as soon as they get noticed, reducing the chances of having more significant scratches.
With these tips, you can easily keep your toilet bowl free of scratches and even eliminate the ones that develop on it.
Bottom Line
Repairing your scratched toilet bowl is an easy process. It only requires the right approach and materials. Also, you can comfortably maneuver toilet scratches by using the discussed tips. Luckily, you now know how to repair a scratched toilet bowl and how to prevent possible scratches on your toilet bowl!
FAQs
Q: Why Does My Toilet Seat Turn Yellow?
A: Toilet seats are made from various materials, including wood, plastic, stainless steel, and brass. Plastic seats tend to discolor over time due to oxidation or exposure to chlorine or other chemicals in household cleaners. Wood seats may also turn yellow if exposed to the sun for long periods. All these problems are temporary and can be easily managed with simple approaches.
Q: What Is the Best Way to Fix a Scratched Toilet Seat?
A: Many scratches in plastic can be buffed out with a bit of elbow grease and a paste made from baking soda, toothpaste, or even Brasso. Rubbing in one direction only and using a clean rag, rub the paste onto the surface and then rinse with warm water.
Q: My Toilet Bowl Has Stains That Won’t Come Out. What Can I Do?
A: There are several good options for removing stubborn stains from your toilet bowl. The first is to use a pumice stone to erase the stain without harming your porcelain. Another option is to use a cleaning product like Lime-A-Way or baking soda and vinegar if you prefer something more natural. Yet another option is to make your cleaner with bleach and borax, which will remove stains and kill germs in the toilet.
Q: Why is My Toilet Leaking at The Base?
A: The most common cause of a leak around the base of a toilet is that the wax ring has failed. A second common cause is a crack in the base of the bowl, which may be repairable with an epoxy kit. You can also occasionally fix this problem by tightening the bolts on the bottom of the toilet, but this usually only works if you catch it early. If you leak a metal tank bolt where the bolt meets the tank surface, you may need to replace the washers and bolts.