Do It Yourself (DIY) projects have become more popular, with plenty of kits and video tutorials available online. Homeowners choose the “do it yourself” strategy to save money on hiring a professional to complete the job.

However, when it comes to bathtub refinishing, the DIY kits leave much to be desired. For example, typical tub refinishing kits use an epoxy acrylic paint that is not durable. These paints are prone to discoloration and will turn yellow within 1-2 months. The yellow discoloration that happens after using a bathtub refinishing kit is one common result that causes much disappointment for residential homeowners.

Rust-Oleum, BATHWORKS, and AquaFinish are the main brands of bathtub refinishing kids sold at Home Depot and by online retailers. These kits provide the bare minimum to complete a project but are inadequate when compared to the more thorough and higher quality job done by professional bath and tile refinishing technicians.

The other issue is time usage and correct application. A do-it-yourself refinishing job can take several hours if a person does not know how to follow the steps according to the manufacturer’s basic instructions. In comparison, a professional bathtub refinisher can complete the same project within 2-3 hours, with the newly refinished bathtub ready for use within 1-2 days.

Bathtub refinishing appears simple and easy to do in theory, so that’s why many homeowners decide they can do it themselves using a kit. The main issue is that these kits do not include professional-grade materials and equipment, so the end result will not look good or provide a long-lasting solution.

Coatings are typically rolled, brushed, or sprayed onto the tub surface. So in the absence of proper spray equipment, the final coating will look rough and show brush or roller marks. This is not an attractive look for any tub, since bathtubs are expected to have a glossy, smooth surface.

Professional, top-rated bath and tile resurfacing companies can provide an affordable, effective and aesthetically-pleasing solution for both residential and commercial refinishing needs.