FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BATHTUB REFINISHING

 

Question:  What is refinishing?

Answer:  Refinishing is an economical way to refurbish bathtubs and wall tiles and occasionally kitchen fixtures.  It involves the application of a coating, usually an acrylic urethane or an ep-acrylic material.

The technology behind the work is much akin to auto body shop technology.  The product is applied using an HVLP (high volume, low pressure) spray system.  Prep work involves removing caulk (around bathtubs) and cleaning the surface with industrial cleaners.  An etch product or bonding agent is used on tubs to create better adhesion.  Most refinishers then go with a primer and topcoat.

Curing times vary.  Depending on the product used, it might be a four hours to a week until you can use your bathtub or shower.  All products themselves are effective.  If the prep work is done properly, the result will be quite durable. It takes about 3-4 hours to refinish a bathtub.  Reputable refinishers offer at least a five year warranty.  On average, expect to have to repeat the job in ten to fifteen years.

Refinishing work should not be confused with a brand new tub or tile job, however.  The original enamel on your tub was applied at a factory, in a kiln at several hundred degrees.  This is not something that can be emulated in the field.  The look of refinishing work can be very, very similar.  It is, however, always a coating. The result can be contingent upon how porous the original surface has become.  Newer tubs will gloss over better.

Question:  When should I consider refinishing?

Answer:  Refinishing is an economical alternative to replacement when replacing the tub becomes prohibitive.  Often homeowners are not equipped to tear out their entire bathroom.  Or, some homeowners like the look of their vintage bathtub and choose not to replace it while they are remodeling.  Refinishing works well on bathtubs for color changes.  It is an instant way to change the color of a dated tub.

Question:  I have heard horror stories about the work not holding up, peeling and such.

Answer:  There is no reason this should happen.  It’s all in the prep work.  I have been doing this for six years and have almost no problems with peeling.  A good job should last at least five years.  There are several good products out there.  Problems with peeling are generally a result of bad workmanship, not a bad product.

Question:  How much should I expect to pay for this work?

Answer:   Prices may vary according to the market you live in.  In Chicago, the rate for good work on a bathtub is around $300-400.  Wall tiles run about $6.00-7.00 a square foot.  I’ve seen refinishers advertise in the Chicago market for around $200.00.  This is considered below market and will typically lead to a poor result.  Remember, if your tub peels and you cannot find the person who did the work, you will be incurring greater expenses further down the road.  An inexperienced refinisher may spill chemical on your wood floor.  Like everything else, you get what you pay for with refinishing.

Question:  Do do-it-yourself kits work?

Answer:   Forget it. The first several of the tubs I refinished peeled. This is not a do-it-yourself job, unless you simply want to generate more work for the folks who do this professionally.  There are too many chemicals involved.  This is a skill with a learning curve.  The work will not likely last. 

Question:  Is there a difference between refinishers?

Answer:  Experience is the key here.  Beyond that, there are more similarities than differences in terms of how each approaches his work.  Many refinishers use fancy marketing gimmicks to name their process.  We are all working with primarily the same material, a coating.  There are ways to find reputable refinishers in your area.  Try Angieslist.com.  This is a paid subscriber service so I will list a few other means to find someone.  Try www.Craigslist.com.  Here are a couple of national suppliers who might provide referrals:  Napco (Chicago area) 1-800-888-1081 and Integrity Coatings (Dallas, TX) 1-800-773-7336 or 1-214-631-8717.  Or try the phone book under the heading “Bathtub Refinishing and Repair.”