How To Refinish A Bathtub In The Right Way?

How to Refinish a Bathtub

Want to replace your existing bathtub and install bathtub liners because of scratches or surface imperfections? Consider this carefully as it is not an easy task at all, and of course, costs you thousands of dollars. The good news is, bathtub refinishing can be easier and more cost-efficient. All you need to do now is learn about how to refinish a bathtub, then do it by yourself with ease.

Why Refinishing Your Tub is worth it?

Refinishing bathtub is a cosmetic fix-it job that involves the process of restoring a damaged stain-ridden and bathtub to create a new look for your tub.

The most amazing thing about refinishing a tub is that you won’t have to put a lot of effort to move your tub out when it gets damaged. Home remodeling is nothing short of complex and just like the domino effect. One thing that is changed will definitely affect something adjacent, thus leaving your bathroom messed up.

Refinishing a bathtub may save you about $3,000 on the price of replacement. If you take good care of it, you can extend its lifespan up to 15 years.

Another factor should be taken into account is your budget. Though the price of a new tub alone may not too expensive, the amount of money spent on installing tubs or plumbing really matters. If you want a new looking tub without making a huge investment, then keeping your bathtub in place to refinish it is the best option as it will take you less time and effort.

Whether you get your tub refinished by professionals or recoat the tub by yourself, both are done on-site and do give your tub a brand new finish. What’s more interesting is, it’s not just your bathtub that gets refinished, but the tile walls or fiberglass surround as well.

Professional Bathtub refinishing

How to Refinish a Bathtub with 9 Steps

Professional refinishing is also known as reglazing, which involves some specific steps of sanding down the tub’s surface, filling in cracks and worn areas, applying layers of coats before doing a final buffing.

If you are a professional bathtub refinisher, you are probably aware of how important your work is. It should be done with the highest quality, the best tools and techniques as well. After refinishing a bathtub, you need to add extra shine to blow your customer away.

If you are going to hire a professional refinisher, it’s also necessary to know how many steps involved in the process of refinishing your bathtub.

Follow these steps below to give your stain-ridden bathtub a newly amazing look.

1. Clean the bathtub thoroughly using a rust removal chemicals
2. Remove any rubber or silicone caulking, and rinse the tub with water.
3. Cover all surrounding areas. Mask necessary tape sink, cabinet, toilet and mirror, and tile surround the bathtub. Remove any hardware in this area.
4. Apply etching cream into the surfaces. After 10-15 minutes, wash it out using the scrub pad. Dry the tub surface thoroughly.
5. Remove debris from the sanding phrase using a vacuum. 
6. Fill chips holes or defects on the tub surface and sand it smooth.
7. Apply 3 layers of a primer coat first and then 3 paint coats with a sprayer! Let the tub dry.
8. Remember to wash the surfaces with soap and water before using it.
9. Buff the coating. After a few days, some bathtub refinishers will come back to your home for buffing to smooth out the tub surface using an electric buffer.

Many remodelers are able to mix the color that matches your existing bathtub color or to create a completely different fresher look. When you’re ready to call for refinishing service, remember to:

• Read reviews from customers that used that service
• An onsite estimate should be requested
• Consult prices from multiple sources

Safety Tips

Taking proper safety measures is very important before having a tub refinished

• Proper ventilation
• Always wear latex gloves
• Save the floor from chemicals by laying down a towel or tarp

Do It Yourself Bathtub Refinishing

It goes without saying that do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing will save you more money than hiring a professional refinisher. However, using refinishing products by yourself generally does not offer the same level of bonding and you will end up with an inferior finish that is more likely to deteriorate. Besides, compared to a professionally applied coating, A DIY coating is less durable though it is much tougher than ordinary paint.

For DIY bathtub refinishing, you have a choice to buy a bathtub refinishing kit from a hardware store or make a purchase online for a better product. Each kit costs about $30 to $150 and comes with epoxy or resin that is applied to the surface after sanding it.

But, what is more important than the quality of bathtub refinishing products is how well the bathtub is prepared. To give the products a chance at adhering, you need to clean the tub thoroughly and remove all oils, soap scum and silicone.

Steps to Refinish your bathtub 

Below is the step-by-step guidance on how to refinish your bathroom by yourself. Let’s dive in!

1. Do a thorough tub cleaning, and remove all caulking around the tub.
2. Remove the faucet and drain of the tub.
3. Mask off the area around the tub like bathroom door, and set up an active ventilation fan for the work area.
4. Use the kid’s etching powder to refinish a bathtub to create a strong bond between the old surface and the new coating. Rinse the tub.
5. Hand sand the tub smoothly while it is still wet to improve bonding. Remove the dust from the tub. Rinse the tub and let it dry.
6. Dry the tub using paper towels, then use a dry tack cloth to wipe up dust or dirt.
7. Apply a primer to the tub, and leave it untouched until it dries according to the directions.
8. Apply the epoxy coating to the sides of the tub using a roller. Wait 15-20 minutes before applying the second epoxy coat.
9. Leave the tub untouched for 48 hours to cure and keep the area ventilated for the first day.
10.  Recaulk the tub and wait until it’s cured before using the tub.

Notes

Refinishing your bathtub by yourself is not a difficult task, right? But one thing you should bear in mind is that bathtub refinishing products can release toxic fumes, so it is necessary to prepare proper ventilation and an organic vapor respirator. You also need to take personal protective measures such as wearing safety glasses and chemically resistant gloves.

Although it takes about 24 hours to reglaze a tub, the timing can be affected by the following factors:

• High humidity makes the tub harder to dry.
• It’s harder to apply the paint in cold weather.
• The finish will cure if the surface is below 62 degrees.

Keep in mind that only when the tub or shower is cured ( up to 48 hours), can you use it.

Learn how to refinish a bathtub in this video:

To Wrap Up

You see. Instead of making a full tub replacement, you can hire a refinisher to recoat your bathtub or do it by yourself for a fraction of the cost and time. Now, it’s time to change your bathtub look and give it an extended life!