What is Bathtub Refinishing: Benefits, Procedure and Safety
Bathtub refinishing offers an alternative to removing and replacing a tub that is damaged or worn down.
Over time, bathtubs undergo wear and tear or show signs of discoloration as they become too difficult to clean. A buildup of grime and rust can also reduce the appearance and function of a bathtub.
The tub restoration process involves repairing chipped and cracked areas, then placing a bonding agent, primer, and topcoat to give it a like new appearance.
Refinishing is also referred to as reglazing, re-enameling, or resurfacing, but the process yields the same final result: restoring an older, damaged bathtub so that it has a glossy, durable surface for continued use.
Professional bathtub resurfacing technicians can restore tubs made of porcelain, acrylic, fiberglass, cast iron, or marble.
Benefits of Bathtub Refinishing
Bathtub refinishing companies charge between $200-$400, making it an affordable and cost-effective alternative to having a tub replaced.
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the average cost of replacing a bathtub is $3,500. This high cost is due to the fact that tub replacement involves multiple subcontractors and heavy construction work. Before a brand new one is installed, an old bathtub must be torn out, removed, and disposed of in a landfill designated for construction waste. The total cost of bathroom remodeling projects ranges in the thousands because of the need to remove appliances as well as install new ones.
So even though a brand new bathtub can cost as little as $349, the total cost of construction and installation involved can multiply that cost by 10X.
A single bathtub refinishing project is completed for 10 times less because the process does not require any construction work to remove and dispose of the old tub itself. It is simply restored and given a strong, shiny new finish.
Tub Refinishing Procedure
The entire bathtub refinishing process can be completed within the same day depending on availability. Typically, a technician can reglaze a bathtub in one to two days from start to finish. This means that a homeowner would only have to be without access to the tub for one to two days at most. The quick turnaround time is another benefit of tub refinishing when compared with the 7-12 day time span it takes to completely remove and replace an old bathtub with a new one.
Important Safety Measures
To remove old, damaged coatings on the surface of a tub, stripping agents are manually applied by the technician. Proper ventilation is needed in the work area, along with wearing a personal respirator to prevent overexposure to the chemical fumes inherent in these stripping agents. One particularly hazardous stripping agent is known as methylene chloride, which has been known to cause serious health complications for bath refinishing technicians.
It is crucial that all bath refinishing projects are conducted using EPA and FDA approved paints and coatings. Bath and tile refinishing companies should be licensed and bonded in their state for synthetic coatings.