Update: Where to find pink bathtubs and other color bathtubs

Cindy wrote to ask: Where to buy pink bathtubs? My answer was not an “easy” one: Salvage. Vintage. That’s where you get color bathtubs. No one makes them new, that I know of. 

Cindy wrote:

Hello Pam,

I’ve been following your blog for a couple months and I’m about to begin my PINK bathroom remodel! 🙂

Thank you for this inspiration!

I have a home built in 1949 with some vintage bathroom & kitchen pieces but their not in the best condition.

I found the blog post on Kate’s pink bathroom remodel but there is no bath tub in her remodel.

Do you know of any maker of a pink bath tub to match a pink sink and toilet? 

I will try to salvage my pink sink (picture attached) but hoping to find a bathtub too.

I think I read that Gerber or Kohler [Pam corrects: It’s Peerless] make the low flow pink toilet so I’m all set there.

Thank you so much.

Cindy

Writing this up also reminds me of another email that recently came in. The question was: Should I buy that pink toilet NOW even though I don’t need it yet, in case it is discontinued?

Should you buy the toilet now, in case it is discontinued: My answer: YES! Here today. Gone tomorrow. (For example, the Peerless colors were here today, gone tomorrow?) So: YES, grab your new pink toilet while you can, I’d say… March 2021 update: See!! Peerless pastel sinks and toilets no longer being made. Stay tuned, though, maybe a new substitute will be found.

Where to find vintage colored bathtubs:

NOTE when considering vintage: Be aware of the potential for lead in old tubs, sinks, ceramics, etc. See my story on that issue here and linked on my Renovate Safe page.

 

1. Vintage is likely your best bet — stalk ReStore, craigslist, local and regional salvage places, and ebay:

The “easiest” way to find colored bathtubs is going be from someone else’s remodel. Places to check, locally and regionally: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, architectural salvage companies, etc. On craigslist, you can also post what you are looking for in the “wanted” category. I got my bathroom sink this way — someone had an old bathroom sink, saved from a remodel, stored in their basement. For $65, I got the sink, the faucet, and original chrome metal legs with integral towel bars — just a 10-minute drive away.

2. Old school plumbing suppliers:

If you have a longtime plumbing supplier in your town — the larger your town, the more you might have — it’s surely worth a try. Give them a call and see if they have old stock in the way back. It’s worked for readers before!

3. Online New Old Stock sites:

Occasionally I get a tip from a reader, or otherwise discover, a hardware store that has unpacked a bunch of New Old Stock bathroom plumbing fixtures from the back of one of its warehouses. For example, this company still has some New Old Stock vintage bathtubs in color colors.

4. Refinish an old tub:

I am not an expert on refinishing old bathtubs with new color finishes. Previous discussions here indicate that finding companies that can do true re-porcelaining are scarce — and it’s likely to be very very expensive. I am not an expert on paint-like coatings: Consult with properly licensed professionals including researching any safety/toxicity issues involved in the proposed process as well as long-term durability guarantees. Be Safe / Renovate Safe.

5. Tile around the situation

If you are building a bathroom from scratch, but can’t find a new colored bathtub you like, you can consider tiling around the situation. That is: Get a white or off-white tub that is meant to be set in tile. 

Also, try acrylic tub suppliers to see if they do custom colors.

Americh, as one example, says they do custom colors. I did not do more research on other companies that might also have colors or custom color options. 

For more research on where to find stuff to restore or renovate a vintage bathroom, go to the Bathroom Help category at the top of the page. Click it. It will open a whole bunch o’ subcategories where you can dig in. 

Good luck with all, Cindy! Let us know how it all turns out!