Everything you need to know before refinishing your bathtub, from the process and cost to care and maintenance.
How Does Bathtub Refinishing Work?
Bathtub refinishing, sometimes called reglazing or resurfacing, restores the existing surface of a tub rather than replacing the entire fixture.
A professional will usually start by giving the tub a deep cleaning to remove soap residue, oils, and other buildup. Chips and minor damage are repaired, and the surface is prepared so the new coating can properly adhere.
Once the prep work is finished, the refinisher applies the appropriate bonding products and topcoat. The exact process can vary depending on whether the tub is fiberglass, porcelain, acrylic, cast iron, or another material.
Preparation is one of the most important parts of the job. A beautiful finish won’t mean much if it doesn’t properly bond to the surface underneath.
The work itself can often be completed in several hours, although the tub will need additional time to cure. Your refinisher should tell you exactly how long to wait before using the tub again, since cure times can vary by product and conditions.
How to Choose a Bathtub Refinishing Company
The quality of a refinishing job depends heavily on the person doing it. Good materials matter, but so does knowing how to prepare the tub and apply the finish correctly.
Before hiring a bathtub refinishing company, ask a few basic questions:
What preparation is included?
What type of coating will be used?
Have you worked with my type of bathtub before?
Does the work include a warranty?
Can I see photos of previous projects?
What care instructions should I follow afterward?
You should be able to get clear answers without having to dig for them. An experienced refinisher should also inspect the condition of the tub before deciding how the job should be handled.
Price matters, but choosing someone based on the lowest quote alone can end up costing more if the finish needs to be repaired or redone later.
Is Your Bathtub a Good Candidate for Refinishing?
Many of the problems that make an older bathtub look bad are surface issues.
Staining, fading, yellowing, small chips, scratches, and a worn finish can often be addressed through refinishing. An outdated tub color can also be changed without replacing the entire fixture.
The condition underneath the surface is what really matters.
If a bathtub has major structural cracks, serious corrosion, leaks, or water damage around it, those problems need to be addressed first. Refinishing improves and restores the surface; it isn’t meant to hide a larger structural problem.
Fiberglass, porcelain, acrylic, and cast iron tubs can all potentially be refinished, but each material requires the right preparation and products. That’s another reason it’s important to work with someone who has experience with your particular type of tub.
How to Care for a Refinished Bathtub
Taking care of a refinished bathtub isn’t difficult, but you may need to change a few cleaning habits.
Abrasive powders and rough scrubbers can gradually wear down the new finish. For regular cleaning, stick with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge.
It’s also a good idea to rinse away soap and other residue rather than letting it build up. If you have hard water, keeping the tub clean and dry can help prevent mineral deposits from becoming difficult to remove.
Be careful with bath mats that use strong suction cups as well. Repeatedly pulling them away from the tub can put unnecessary stress on the refinished surface.
Your refinishing company may have its own care instructions based on the coating it uses. Follow those recommendations first, especially when it comes to cleaning products and how long you should wait before using the tub.
What Can Cause a Refinished Tub to Peel?
Peeling is one of the problems homeowners worry about most, but it shouldn’t be considered a normal part of bathtub refinishing.
It can happen when the original surface wasn’t properly cleaned or prepared before the new finish was applied. Problems during application can also affect how well the coating holds up.
That’s why the preparation stage shouldn’t be rushed. The tub needs to be clean, repaired, and ready for the new coating before refinishing begins.
How you treat the surface afterward matters too. Harsh cleaners, abrasive scrubbers, and improper care can shorten the life of the finish.
If peeling, bubbling, or other problems appear shortly after a professional refinishing job, contact the company that performed the work rather than trying to repair it yourself.
How Much Does Bathtub Refinishing Cost?
Bathtub refinishing is generally much less involved than replacing an entire tub.
With replacement, you’re not only paying for the new fixture. Removing the old tub can involve demolition, plumbing work, tile repair, disposal, and additional labor. What starts as replacing one fixture can quickly become a much larger bathroom project.
Refinishing works with the tub that’s already installed, which can help avoid much of that extra work.
The actual cost will depend on the condition and material of the bathtub, repairs that may be needed, your location, and the company doing the work. Getting an estimate after the tub has been assessed will give you a better idea of what your particular project will cost.
Is Bathtub Refinishing Worth It?
If your bathtub is structurally sound but looks worn, refinishing is worth considering before you decide to replace it.
It can take care of many of the problems homeowners notice first, including stains, scratches, chips, fading, and outdated colors. You also get to keep the existing tub instead of dealing with demolition and the repairs that can come with removing it.
The finished result depends on proper preparation, good materials, and the experience of the person doing the work. After that, taking care of the surface with gentle cleaning products will help keep it looking its best.
Before tearing out an older bathtub, have its condition checked. You may find that it doesn’t need to be replaced at all. A professional refinishing job may be enough to give it a fresh start.