Bathtub Reglazing
Before you can refinish a tub, it must be thoroughly cleaned. Start by using a heavy duty cleaner and a scrub pad to scrub it down. You’ll also find that a razor scraper is an excellent way to remove soap scum. Don’t neglect the area under the soap dish – debris is likely to accumulate there.
Bathtub Refinishing 101: 7 Simple Tips for Tub Reglazing Success
When performed correctly, tub reglazing can breathe new life into an old bathroom. Here, we offer a few recommendations to make your next bathtub refinishing job a victory.
Benefits of Bathtub Refinishing
Most homeowners prefer tub reglazing to purchasing a brand new bathtub. Why? Because when executed properly, professional bathtub refinishing can make a tub look good as new. Furthermore, this process allows your clients to keep their tub in place, preventing the need to alter existing flooring, tile, fixtures and more. Instead, the surrounding surfaces are simply left in place and masked off while the work is completed.
There are several factors to consider when resurfacing a bathtub. In the sections below, we’ll outline seven simple steps to make your next tub reglazing project a huge success.
Step #1: Prepare Your Workspace
Before beginning your bathtub refinishing project, you’ll need to properly prepare your workspace. In addition to covering all of the surrounding surfaces, you’ll also need to take all of the necessary safety precautions. To keep the room well-ventilated, open a window and use a ventilation fan to reduce odors and overspray.
Step #2: Remove Caulk
First, remove the overflow plate above the drain. Next, use a 4″ wallpaper scraper to cut out and remove the caulk where it meets the surround.
Step #3: Clean the Bathtub Thoroughly
Before you can refinish a tub, it must be thoroughly cleaned. Start by using a heavy duty cleaner and a scrub pad to scrub it down. You’ll also find that a razor scraper is an excellent way to remove soap scum. Don’t neglect the area under the soap dish – debris is likely to accumulate there.
Step #4: Repair Any Damage
When refinishing a bathtub, the surface must be absolutely smooth. This means that any chips, cracks or other damage must be repaired beforehand. To do this, use a putty knife to apply filler over the defects. Allow the filler to dry completely and sand smooth.
Step #5: Apply Masking Tape
Next, you’ll need to mask off the tile around the tub as well as the surrounding flooring. You should also mask the drain by placing tape over it (just remove the excess so it doesn’t get in the way of the glaze.) To prevent drips from ruining the tub reglazing process, place a latex glove or similar barrier over the faucet and showerhead.
Step #6: Apply Tub Reglazing Product
When steps one through five have been completed, you’re ready to apply the glaze. Be sure that you read the instructions for the bathtub refinishing kit thoroughly, as all bathtub refinishing products are different. After the tub has dried about 30 minutes, the masking can be removed.
Step #7: Caulk The Tub
After 30-40 minutes, re-caulk the bathtub and re-install the overflow plate.
For more articles like this visit our Blog. If you are a professional refinisher and want to join other like-minded professional refinishers to discuss process, visit the elite Facebook group Bathtub Refinishing Contractors.
Learn More About Professional Bathtub Refinishing
TopKote has everything you need for your refinishing project including materials and training. If you are looking for a professional, contact us and we will direct you to a Topkote Pro nearest you.
Bathtub Reglazing
How is bathtub reglazing different than bathtub refinishing?
Bathtub reglazing, bathtub refinishing, bathtub restoration all refer to the process of restoring worn, impossible to clean, chipped or dated color bathtubs to look and feel like new. A bathtub can not practically be “reglazed” as this is a process that requires the heating of clay, one of the main ingredients of porcelain, in a kiln at temperatures as high as 2,500°F.
Before…
After!
We make your tub beautiful with bathtub refinishing!
Bathtub reglazing or refinishing starts with a thorough cleaning of the tub surface using especially formulated two-step cleaners to remove soap scum, mineral deposits, and body oils. Next, all cracks, chips, and cracks are repaired. Materials used to reglaze bathtubs include Miracle Method’s proprietary bonding agent, MM-4, which is applied to ensure a solid bond between the old surface and the new finish. Finally, a trained professional uses a fine-finish spray process to apply a hi-tech, durable acrylic coating.
The end result of bathtub reglazing is bathtub surface that looks wet, has high light refraction and has a deep gloss. Miracle Method achieves this fine finish with an extra buff and polish process, which leaves the surface silky smooth and the feel of original porcelain. Call to find out the cost to reglaze a bathtub. When you consider the total replacement costs of tub and tile surrounds you may want to reglaze. Bathtub replacement itself can cost $3,000 or more.