Bathtub Refinishing Tips
Is your tub looking like the parts cleaner at the local repair shop, with stains and chips lodged deep in its former gorgeous finish? You’ve probably used up enough cleaning supplies to make the Trevi Fountain sparkle like new, and wore out enough scrubbing towels to make drapery for the White House. Is there anything you can do to restore the beauty to your once sparkling tub?
There is a host of companies offering refinishing for your bathtub, as well as your vanity sink, and even the ceramic tile surrounding your bathroom. They may list themselves as bath refinishers, reglazers, painters, or re-surfacers.
No matter what it’s called, it’s basically the same. They do the work right in your home, probably in less than a day, and the savings to you could be as much as 70% over replacement. The surface is cleaned with special chemicals to remove all soil and grease buildup, and then chemically etched to prepare the surface for the best possible adhesion of the new finish. Chips and deep scratches in the original finish are repaired before the new finish is applied.
The etching agents employed are acid based and may consist of hydrochloric or hydrofluoric acid. Caution is required to secure the safety of surrounding surfaces, and extreme caution is necessary in protecting people and pets from these chemicals. A well qualified technician will wear protective clothing, use protection for surrounding areas, and set up a system to vent the area to the outside. It is unwise to choose a company who claims to use a finish that already contains an etching compound. Experience shows that the adhesion obtained from this method is grossly inferior.
Some suppliers and finishing companies use automotive based paint relabeled as tub and tile finish, and you should be aware that even though your newly finished tub looks beautiful, it’s not likely to keep that beautiful look for any extended period of time. Some tub and tile finishes are epoxy based, and although they boast excellent adhesion, they tend to dull in color over time, and even yellow some what. High solids aircraft coatings are the best choice for tub and tile refinishing, but require extreme care in the application due to the health hazards associated with the chemicals they contain.
Various do it yourself kits are available if you think you want to tackle the job on your own. Just be sure you are well versed in the instructions supplied with the product. Be aware that the failure rate on do it yourself bathtub refinishing is quite high. Once it starts peeling, it must be completely removed before attempting a new refinishing job with any of the mentioned methods.
When considering a refinishing company, ask for references from customers who have used their services, particularly customers from three to five years prior. The company you select should be well established in your community and be willing to provide you with references and a good warranty on their work. Inquire as to the experience of the technician that will do the job for you. It takes intense training and heavy experience to assure a satisfactory job. For more information on bathtub tips, check us out at www.BathtubReviews.com.