Bathtubs, no matter who made them, eventually have their surfaces worn off through use, interaction with water deposits, standing water, but mostly the surfaces are worn off from harsh cleansers. No matter how hard you try, if you have an old worn-out tub, there is no way to get rid of the yellowing, or to get the dirt out of the cracks. This is where bathtub refinishing comes in.

Bathtub refinishing is a serious trade and those who are good at it have had extensive training and practice. Your fixtures will have a new look that is easy to maintain and will last a long time, keeping a beautiful finish when properly cared for.

Colored tubs from the ’40s through the ’70s can be refinished to match the color scheme that will tie-in your bathroom remodel without removing the tub or tile. Tile can be refinished too.

After

The finish of this tub was worn down to the metal and at first glance one would think that it was beyond help, but as you see below refinishing gave new life to this tub for years to come.

After

Many homeowners choose to refinish instead of buying a new tub because in order to replace a tub you have to remove the tub, any tile, sheetrock overhanging the tub lips, disconnect the water supplies, and possibly damage the floor, plus they are heavy and bulky. In addition, many tubs were installed years ago before the bathroom was finished, and may not fit through the door. Once removed you will also need to find a way to dispose of it.

The cost of refinishing is usually much less than installing a new tub, be it with acrylic or with a cast iron type. A typical tub refinishing job runs $300 to $400.

The process of refinishing begins with a very thorough cleaning job, followed by repairing any damage and then bonding so that the new finish will stick to the old surface. With the spot repair, a chip, small crack, or blister is repaired to blend into the surrounding surface. Professional bathtub refinishers take about half a day per tub, in your home, to do this job. Generally you can begin using the tub again within one to two days. Most tub refinishing companies also repair countertops, sinks, tile, and acrylic tubs.

Most people go with a white finish, but the color selection is limitless. The popular harvest golds and turquoise of a couple decades ago can really date your home. Updating the bathroom with modern colors is another reason to resurface. For example, if you have a sink in a beauty shop that you want refinished, you might go with a stylish black. Or a guest bathroom might work well with a red sink — it’s possible.

Clawfoot bathtubs can also be refinished as they are generally not built in and both the interior and exterior of the tub can be resurfaced. This provides an excellent way to gain some additional color appeal in updating your fixtures. The pedestal feet can also be customized with chrome, polished, or brushed nickel or even gilded with 24-carat gold.

If you are refinishing the interior of your tub, a slip-resistant surface can be applied. This type of surface is easy to clean and increases safety. Avoid using rubber decals, which collect dirt and allow water to sit on the surface underneath. And when using rubber mats, these need to be removed after every use or the water trapped underneath them will damage the finish of your tub.

Foam cleaners work well on refinished tubs, but mild soap and water will also do the job quite well. Abrasive cleaners will damage the new finish and should never be used.

Of the many remodeling jobs that you can do to update your home, having a professional tub refinisher apply his expertise is an easy fix that is cost effective, color coordinated, and can be finished in no time at all.