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Bathtub Refinishing
Relaxing in a warm bath after a long day is the best way to unwind and clear your mind. However, if your bathtub is dirty and starting to disintegrate, taking a bath isn’t really the best experience and may end up being something that you’d rather rush than enjoy. A tub that is scratched, rusty, chipped and worn out can make your bathroom look really old, unkempt, and unattractive. However, before you decide to get rid of your old bathtub and get a new one, you might want to consider refinishing the one you already own. Refinishing your bathtub is usually more cost-effective than swapping it out for a new one. Refinishing your bathtub will save you the time and effort that you would usually exhaust in a larger bathroom remodeling project that involves getting new appliances. Plus, refinishing allows you to preserve older designs that you may be fond of that add character to your bathroom.
Bathtub Refinishing Process
Above all else, a like-new bathtub appearance cannot be attained with Do-It-Yourself products. Only a professional bathtub refinisher has access to high-tech, durable coatings as well as the important skills and knowledge to give your bathtub a new and shiny appearance. Only a refinisher has the tools and skills to apply the surface correctly as well. Steel, fiberglass, and cast-iron tubs, and shower stalls can all be recoated to match the original finish or to change the color entirely. These are the main steps to bathtub refinishing:
- For the first step, the bathtub surface has to be prepared. The technician will strip off the old finish and sand the tub in order to create a smoother finish.
- For the second step, the damages first need to be repaired and attended to. Any holes, cracks, chips, or rust spots must be prepared. It’s important to make sure that this process is done properly so that the bathtub doesn’t hold in any water after draining.
- After repairs are made to the surface, it is then prepped with acid etching. Etching and wet sanding will provide adhesion and a clean surface. Some materials such as porcelain, enamel, and fiberglass bathtubs are non-porous meaning that they do not provide a good surface for the new coating to attach to. Etching the surface gives it a porous surface that allows proper adhesion. Another possible method prior to adhesion is using a bonding agent like silane to the tub surface prior to coating. The best adhesion method is usually to do both processes but one process can be enough.
- After the surface has been prepped, prior to spraying and chemical coatings, refinishers will be masking the areas that can be affected by the overspray. They will also set up a professional exhaust system that should work with the type of coating system that is to be applied. This is important to avoid any possible fire and explosion hazards.
- For the next step, a refinisher will use a fresh-air supplied breathing apparatus, a spray suit, and gloves to protect themselves from the products that will be used in the spraying process.
- The spraying process will then begin. There is a two-component white coating that is applied. The coating should be between 5-8 mils in thickness when it cures to provide the best, long-term results. This can generally be achieved by spraying 2 coats of primer and 3 coats of top-coat.
- Once the spraying process is finished, the refinisher will remove the masking and garbage from the home. The bathtub can usually be used again in one to three days and the finish should last between 10 to 15 years.
Advantages of Bathtub Refinishing
If you’ve got an old bathtub that may need surface repairs, there are many benefits to getting it refinished beyond just appearance. Here’s how our bathtub refinishing can benefit you:
1. Cheaper Than Replacement
Getting a new bathtub is expensive because you don’t just factor in the purchase price of the tub. You also have to factor in the cost of getting a plumber, the replacement of the surrounding areas, which is probably the more expensive part of a tub replacement. If your tub appears dirty even after cleaning, has large and noticeable stains, and even cracks, there is still hope. Bathtub refinishing is a more cost-effective option for you.
2. New Bathtub Features
Older bathtubs usually now have dull, stained, and inefficient fixtures that ruin your bathroom’s aesthetic. Our professionals can easily reglaze your old counters, sink, and vanity with a new finish and save you a lot more money than getting it replaced. It has the same effect as having new fixtures, just without the excessive cost.
3. Protect Against Lead
Older porcelain tubs contain unsafe levels of lead. This is a serious health concern for your entire family. By refinishing and encapsulating your bathtub, the possibility of getting lead-caused diseases is greatly lessened.
4. Eco-Friendly
Refinishing your bathtub is a great way of reducing your carbon footprint since you’re not consciously choosing to install a new tub and dump your old one in a landfill.
5. Extend Bathtub Life
A refinished bathtub can last for around 10 to 15 years provided that it is properly maintained. This is probably so much more than you expect from a tub that has multiple damages, chips, and stains. Make sure to properly maintain your tub after refinishing and to avoid using bath mats, abrasive cleaners, and scrubbing pads.
6. Efficient
The entire bathtub refinishing process only takes up one day to complete. This is the best option if you want to have your bathtub back up running quickly again. This is also a shorter process in comparison to an entirely new bathtub installation.
Is it Worth It?
Bathtub refinishing is considered worth the money if your bathtub is still in good working condition. The refinishing process is capable of removing any imperfections that can be seen on the surface, such as scratches, cracks, and stains. However, if your bathtub is leaking, then refinishing is probably not the best option for you. Instead, you may opt for a new bathtub instead.
Provo Bathtub Refinishing
Bathtub Refinishing, Bathtub Reglazing & Bathtub Resurfacing. Based in Provo.