In the wall (old metal type) Soapdish replacements

[Cassi2m]

Does anyone know where you can buy a replacement "in the wall soapholder /soapdish" which had a bar on them to hang your washcloth?

I've searched the web, I've talked to a marble company and the ones they make are huge at 8" square, compared to my 5 3/4" square hole. I have no extra tiles, so it's not as if I can replace them. And we're planning on selling the house in a year or two when we move out of the state.

Does anyone remember them? (i could upload and link a photo if needed) I know that we had them when I was a child and we moved in to our new house in 1960 (odd I bought a house built in 1960).

I'm looking for a replacement, and outside of buying a tile to put in there which wouldn't look right since they cut 4 tiles to get this in, I just don't know what else to do, other than painting this one.

Is that an option? Is there a water resistant paint that I could apply on this that would stand up to harsh water, calcium and lime?

I've exhausted the net, & bothered the large manufacturers such as Am Standard among all of the plumbing/hardware/mom and pop stores in my area.
Thanks for any ideas.
Cathy

[Doug Aleshire]

Cassi2m,

Best advice is to keep searching.

Good Luck!

[joneq]

what happened to the old one? is it broke? Why can't you put in a bigger one?

http://www.wholesalebath.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=A1&Category_Code=B

http://www.a-ball.com/searchlist.asp?subcatky1=2004

[Cassi2m]

Hi,
I can't replace this with a larger one because the house was built in 1960, the tiles are old, I don't have any extras to replace any, should they break.

As to the old soap dish, I have it and I've thought about painting it, however I don't know of a paint that I can use on metal that won't peel when getting wet daily or in a moist environment.

Any ideas on what I can do with the old one to spruce it up?
lol

I've visited Lowe's, they opened a new one 3 blocks away. They're my new best friends, or I'm visiting them wayyy too much lately. They, too, tell me that there are no replacements made, nor anything to put in that provided space that they know of.

I could remove it completely, however that leaves me with a hole
5 1/4" x 5 1/4" which consist of 4 tiles that have been cut,
(tile size is 4" x 4")
the first row has 2 tiles cut leaving 2 tiles which are missing about 1 3/4" or so on either side (width wise) of the soapdish.
The next row down has 2 tiles which have a cut out of 1 1/4" at the top of them, to accomodate the bottom of the soapdish.

I think inserting decorative tiles would be useless because it would draw attention to the awkwardness of the cuts. If it had been just 2 tiles removed I could do it, but with the partials cut, and it involving 4 tiles which are partially cut, I believe it would look bad.

I've thought about removing all 4 partially cut tiles and put in however many decorative tiles to fill in this area, but I'd rather find the correct soapdish to put into the space and be done with this and on to the next thing.
And if I did go with the decorative tiles, how would I support them in this empty space? Would I do it like a drywall repair (I've done some floating and taping). Using cement board? Then I have to buy a big sheet when all I need is a little square. So that's what I'm up against, all because someone along the way, Changed the Industry Standard and are not making replacements for our old products. pits!

I'd honestly be afraid to cut the old tiles due to their age, in order to make it accomodate the $4.00 soapdishes that one local marble place pours, unless it measures at 8" x 8" which it doesn't. I'd be left trying to cut tiles that are old and set in the wall. Ouch!

If I were to attempt removing the 4 old tiles, do you have any tips or clues about removing them without damaging the surrounding tiles? I have a grout knife and a dremel, and I did a good job on regrouting around the tub (my first experience with that). I sealed that grout, too.

Oh, on my last trip to Lowe's I did find an "in the wall ceramic soapdish" which measures at 6 7/8" wide x 4 3/4" height. Then they have what they call a liner which measured at 1/2" x 6" in length & I'd have to cut the length of it to make it 5 1/4" long. Have any of you used these 2 together to fill in the areas of the old soapdishes? Do you know what the overall look is?

Here is a link from Lowe's below. This photo shows a 1" Tile Liner or Tile Border. They have others in the store though. Would it look ok to place it under the soapdish to get my desired area covered? I am lacking 1/2" so I thought the 1/2" one would be the one to use. (the link below, like I said before is for the 1" but it gives you the overall idea) and the new ceramic soapdish that they sell has a 4"x4" square raised area which would go in the wall. Geez, if only 1 tile were cut I'd have it made now.

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=190585-372-SL11E6101CCS&lpage=none

I hope it was ok to put that link in here.

Thanks for helping me with this.
Cathy
ps thanks for making it this far in my post.

[joneq]

Long One!!!!! use the dremel tool with a carbide bit to cut the tiles to fit. They will not break. Mark the cut check it then check it again. Hold the dremel tool with both hands with the back of it pointing down toward the floor at a 45 degree angle, do similar for the top and bottom--- 45 degree toward the wall. On the first pass just score the glaze and then you should be able to go all the way through the tile and sheetrock on the second pass. I wish all things were this easy. If you choose to you can hot melt some thin wood[paint stick] or something onto the tile to stop you from blowing it, but it shouldn't be necessary.

If you want to paint it let me know but it isn't a great choice. I am assuming these are rated as wall tile.

[Cassi2m]

Oh, Yee Are Brave!
You would really trust me with a dremel and ceramic tiles ;)
hehehe

I's turn that part over to my better half, but like he's said before this is "My Project" not his.
Hmm,

Can we talk about painting the existing metal soapdish(s)?
:)
That would simplify my life so much.

Is there anything that I could apply to the metal soapdish to make it look better? It's that brass color (gold) and it's turned green (from the alkaline etc) over the years (prior to me).
I tried scrubbing and it's in decent shape, it's still in 2 pieces (the little bar for a washcloth is still there).

In fact if you have a way for me to paint this, I can use the the original (little as in different from the other, yes 2 of them) metal soapdish which fits perfectly on the mounting bracket which is mounted in grout in the wall up at about 5'. They put 2 in this bath area, I guess the one up high is so that the water doesn't melt the soap away from water washing over it.

I used one that was from the 70's that Mom gave to me years ago. But the mounting was a different sized area so I used my dremel to shave down some of the metal off of the back of the unit to accomodate the mounting bracket which is grouted (solidly) in the wall. It was ok but I wasn't comfortable with not getting it to fit perfectly. It would have taken away too much metal and it wouldn't be stable.

Working with old stuff is really hard at times, or trying to find something that works.

I could do something my mom would have done, use contact paper on it all and call it job well done ;0) hehehe
Teasing
Thanks for helping!
Cathy

[majakdragon]

Its possible that you MIGHT be able to have the soap dish replated. You can search for a local company, take it to them and see if it can be done. This would give you a new soap dish by using the old one that you have.

[Cassi2m]

How do I find a company that does replating? Metal shop?

Thanks for the idea, I hadn't thought about that and I could get them both done in chrome!
Cathy

[majakdragon]

Call any metal working shop and they should be able to tell you where you might be able to get it done. If your lucky and happen to have a metal works factory near by that does their own plating, they may be able to help also.

[joneq]

Sounds like a good idea to replate, but it is up to you if you don't want to cut the tile. Here is a link to a site where you can buy stuff to use if you choose to repaint. Talk to them before you buy anything and click on the link to print directions for use and read it. You may also be able to spray it with epoxy primer and then epoxy paint. I don't advise it. Look into the replating and see if it soots you. If you are going to spend money on replating why not just pay a handy man to install the slightly bigger one.


http://www.refinishingonline.com/diy.htm