Tub Reglazing

Tub Reglazing is Your Best Alternative to Replacement

What is Bathtub Reglazing?

Tub reglazing is a fantastic option for those who are sick of their old worn out bathtub. If you have an old tub that is discolored, stained, maybe chipped or cracked, or maybe you just want to change the color. You may not realize that you don’t have to invest thousands of dollars installing a brand new tub.

With tub reglazing, you can have a strong, durable, and beautiful bathtub at a fraction of the cost of replacement. The cost of replacement can be

$3,000 or more. Removing an old tub for replacement is extremely labor intensive and will not only cost a fortune, it will tie up your bathroom for perhaps weeks.

Surprisingly, many people don’t know tub reglazing can save them thousands of dollars while providing a beautiful and durable finish that can last for many years. I’ve done my own, and I’ve reglazed tubs for others. That was more than ten years ago, since I reglazed my tub and it still looks new.

So is tub reglazing something you can do yourself? Yes, probably. The results you get will depend on the labor you invest in the preparation. If you prefer, you can hire a company that will do this for you. Their services will cost you a few hundred dollars, but in return you’ll get a quality job that’ll look great and last for years.

What Will a Professional Do?

If you decide to hire the services of a professional tub reglazing company, you can expect to pay around $400. While this may seem a little pricey to you, you’ll see what a bargain you’re getting when you check the prices of a new tub along with the cost of having a professional rip out your old tub and replace with new! Remember that there will be tile work, flooring and plumbing issues that you can expect to drive the costs up into the THOUSANDS!

So what are the steps the professional tub reglazing company will do for you? Whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional, the process is the same. Here are the basic steps in tub reglazing.

First, the area not being reglazed must be covered for protection. Plastic bags cover the fixtures (or removed), and kraft paper and sheet plastic is used to cover the tiles and the floor surrounding the tub.
Next, the tub is chemically stripped to remove oil, soap scum and dirt
The tub is etched with a sander or grinder. This allows the primer to adhere.
The tub is wiped clean with tack rags and dried thoroughly. A small heater can dry the surface in an hour. Otherwise, let sit to air dry at least 24 hours
Apply the proper water resistant primer and allow to dry according to directions
Apply paint. Spraying is best, but you can achieve quality results with the proper roller or brush. Best results are achieved with spraying.

A professional tub reglazing company can complete these steps in 3 to 4 hours. If you’re going to do this yourself, you can expect to take an entire day to do a proper job. It’s not hard, but it takes patience to do a quality job. You would then have a 24 hour ‘drying’ period for the enamel to set. After 24 hours, you are safe to use your bathtub as normal.

The company will likely have to return the next day to remove the plastic bags covering the fixtures, and the kraft paper covering the tile walls and the floor surrounding the tub. Some companies use an enamel they claim will allow you to use your tub only 4 hours after spraying. Regardless, I would wait a minimum of 24 hours. The chemical bond strengthens over time. Waiting a day allows the bond to stand up to the hot water it must endure for many years.

So You Want to Do it Yourself tub reglazing

Maybe you’ve decided to do this tub reglazing project yourself. If you’re prepared to handle this project, you can save more than half the cost of hiring a professional. Keep in mind that you’ll need the right tools on hand to do a professional job. The chemicals you’re dealing with are powerful and you need to have the proper clothing and safety equipment. I wear a painter’s disposable “space suit.” It’s a plastic jumpsuit reinforced with nylon and protects the skin from the dangerous vapors. I also wear a good quality respirator when spraying this special coating. It is highly toxic! You’ll also want to make sure the room is properly ventilated. When spraying the coating you need to make sure the air is exhausted OUTSIDE. If you have a window, a box fan in the window will suffice.

Home Tub Reglazing Kit Well, now that you know what’s involved in reglazing your tub, are you sure you still want to do it yourself? If you have the tools and the safety equipment and a couple days to invest, these are the points to remember:.

Your bathtub must be absolutely clean and dry.
Once thoroughly clean, cover EVERYTHING. Cover fixtures with plastic bags and cover the floor and tiles completely. You don’t want to clean “overspray” off the walls & floors!
Once clean and dry, spray the primer and follow the directions from there.
Once dry, spray the coating according to directions.
Allow to dry and remove the tape, bags and plastic sheeting carefully.

Remember, some systems allow you to use a brush or roller and will give you an amazingly good job. My first job (my own tub) was done with a brush and I was amazed by the results! People thought I installed a new tub, and it has lasted for YEARS because I did a proper job in the preparation.

Your “new” tub can last as long as 15 years with a proper job and if you take care of the finish according to directions. You will need to make sure the surface is kept clean, and tub drips are taken care of. These can subtract years from the life of your new tub. It’s a big job, but the rewards are well wort it. If you’re preparing a house for resale, a good looking bathroom is worth THOUSANDS of dollars in your pocket! Tub reglazing will add thousands of dollars to the value of your bath. Not bad for a few hours labor!

The Tub Reglazing Process

Bathtub Resurfacing