Cost of Bathtub Refinishing
Firstly, consider the cost of a refinished bathtub compared to replacing your current tub. Even though a new tub can cost as little as $150, labor expenses for the replacement process can get pretty pricey, easily costing $1,500 or more. A tub isn’t easily installed, especially when it comes to plumbing, tiling or flooring, trim, or other additional craftwork that comes with replacing a tub. A refinish bathtub job can usually be budgeted for around $300-$600, depending on how extensive the repairs are and the area you’re in. A professional can usually fix damage like cracks, rust, or stains with some work and a new coat.
General Bathtub Refinishing Process
When it comes to getting your tub refinished, this is the basic method that trained professionals will use.
- To start, a tub needs a clean slate. A technician will strip off the old finish, followed by sanding the tub, which creates a smooth surface.
- Then, any holes, cracks, chips, or rust spots are repaired, usually with some kind of patching product. This product fills in damaged areas, and once cured, it’s time to add some new layers for the bathtub resurfacing.
- After finishing the repairs, a professional will apply a primer, a coating, and a sealant to the tub to complete the tub refinishing. It takes between 1 and 3 days for everything to cure and finalize until you can use it again.
A new finish that is done by a trained technician in 4-5 hours usually lasts 10-15 years. Be sure to research a trusted company or freelancer so that you get your money’s worth—referrals from family or friends are always a good place to start.
Step-by-step Refinishing Process
Instead of hiring a professional, some people take on a bathtub refinishing DIY project. You can get refinishing kits for $30 or $40 from a local home improvement store. If you’re comfortable with or have experience in this kind of project, and you have the time, refer to the outlined steps below.
Before starting, make sure you follow the instructions provided in the kit, have all the necessary tools, and wear safety equipment, like gloves and goggles. It’s also recommended to wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeve shirt while handling potentially hazardous materials.
- Removing hardware To begin, remove any tub hardware, like the drain cover, spout, handles, etc., and scrape off the residual caulking around those areas. A putty knife is usually sufficient enough to get the caulk off, but you may need a more aggressive scrubbing pad.
- Cleaning Use bleach and water—or a chemical bathroom cleaner—to thoroughly clean the tub. It’s important to remove any built-up grime or scum so that the refinishing agent can directly bond with the surface material of the tub. Use a cloth to make sure you’ve picked up any remaining debris and so ensure the tub is dry.
- Tape off the walls If your tub is flush with a wall, use masking tape along the edges of the tub to protect the wall. Similar to painting a room, you don’t want the products or chemicals, like the primer or reglazer, to accidentally end up on the wall or tile in the bathroom. If it’s a freestanding tub, put something like a drop cloth around the tub to protect the floor.
- Ventilate the area The chemicals you’ll use to refinish the tub will have fumes that can seep into the tub or be hazardous to you, especially entrapped in a small bathroom. At the bare minimum, open doors and windows, and turn the bathroom fan on. It’s also recommended to use a box fan for more optimal airflow.
- Etch the tub Apply an etching powder to the bathtub to dull the previous finish on the tub. This makes it easier for the new finish to properly bond. While not mandatory, etching the tub will make the process easier.
- Apply putty As you etch the tub and come across holes or cracks use whatever putty or material you have to fill in the cracks and holes you want to be filled.
- Sand the tub You want a nice smooth surface for the upcoming layers in the tub, so sand down any bumps or rough surfaces. Rinse and allow the tub to dry.
- Apply primer Now it’s time for the primer or bonding agent, which prepares the tub to be glazed. Not all kits use a primer, so read the instructions carefully.
- Apply a coat/paint/epoxy Use a roller, paintbrush, or paint sprayer to apply the epoxy reglazer. You may have to mix the reglazer yourself, or it may come premixed in the kit—again, always look at the kit’s instructions. Repeat until the tub is sufficiently coated. It takes about 30 minutes to an hour for a coat to dry. 2 coats often do the trick, but depending on how thinly you apply the epoxy reglazer, you may opt for a third layer.
- Reinstall hardware Once everything has dried and you have a beautifully polished tub, apply caulk to reattach the tun hardware. Know that most finishes take at least 24 to 48 hours to fully cure, sometimes up to 3 days, and then the caulk used for the hardware also needs 24 hours to cure. The room needs to remain ventilated for the entire curing process.
Keep in mind that DIY kits don’t usually come with the same tools or products that experts use, so you likely won’t get the same sleek result compared to a professional bathtub refinishing. A reputable and trained expert is usually a better option for long-lasting and polished work, but if you have some handiwork experience and want to save a little money, dedicate a weekend to refinishing the tub yourself.
When To Not Refinish A Bathtub
While a refinishing job can save you money, there are situations where it’s best to spend the money and get a new tub. For example, web-like cracks can be fixed because they are usually more cosmetic. However, if there are structural cracks, those aren’t repairable. A professional is likely to be able to take care of even severe cracks, chips, and holes as long as they don’t compromise the shape and structure of the tub.
Another issue is rust: surface rust won’t give you too much trouble and can be fixed with a reglazing job. However, rust that made holes from underneath the tub will be a recurring issue. Once the rust has started for more serious cases, it’s just a matter of time before you’ll have to get a new tub. If you’re already dealing with a lower-quality tub, it may be worth getting rid of the rust problem entirely and upgrading.
If your tub is newer and lower quality, meaning you aren’t preserving an interesting or valuable tub, it is often just worth replacing, especially if you’re already remodeling. If you’re updating several features in the bathroom, it’s more likely that any flaws in the tub will stick out.
Renovating Your Bathroom?
If you are planning to renovate your bathroom and in the process you want a bathtub refinishing, Made Renovation can help. With services like design, construction, material acquisition, and everything in between, we can give you a straightforward game plan and coordinated bathroom along with your upgraded bathtub.