Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Tub repairs

I cannot remove the old drain assembly from my tub. I purchased an epoxy kit to re-enamle the tub due to ware spots. The instructions say to remove all drain and fixture hardware before starting. Do I really need to do this, or am I able to use the kit with the drain still in the tub? What will happen if I leave the drain in the tub when using this kit? Thanks for any helpful advice.

Yes, you must remove the drain before using the epoxy.
Get a tub drain wrench (aka dumbell) like this:
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TUB DRAIN WRENCH

Heat the old putty under the drain lip with a hair dryer on high heat to soften it, and unscrew the drain counter-clockwise.
If you want to try removing it without a dumbell, you can use the handles of a pair of channel-lock pliers with a screwdriver through the teeth for leverage, and try to unscrew it that way.
Try not to break the four crosspieces, but if you do there also is a way to remove the drain without them.
Good Luck!
Mike

KC180377,

If you don't remove the drain assembly, peeling will occur, how soon this will happen is unknown but it will. Even with a professional applying their products for re-glazing, the peeling action will happen.

This is just a band-aid approach to a problem that will reoccur.

You may leave the drain assembly in but etch it very well and then apply your glaze.

Good Luck!