Prepping the Bathtub for Refinishing
- Start cleaning the tub. Take your razor scraper and start scraping the tub under the soap dish area and the corners of the tub.
- Make your bathtub repairs. Now is the time to make any repairs to the tub. ...
- Get ready to mask. Dry the tub well with paper towels making certain there is no water under the outside edges of the drain.
- Mask the tub. After waiting for any lacquer thinner to dry, begin masking off the tile with 3/4″ or 1″ masking tape.
What is the process of refinishing a porcelain tub?
The most important guide when refinishing is to:
- Get the handy materials needed for the refinishing task.
- Recoat the new finish three times after you have removed all the caulk and wash the bathtub.
- After refinishing, ensure you recaulk all of the seams that you removed the caulk from earlier.
Can you resurface a porcelain tub?
Yes, it is. A porcelain tub refinishing procedure, also known as porcelain bathtub reglazing or porcelain bathtub resurfacing is a clean and durable procedure that would rejuvenate an old, worn out, or damaged porcelain tub to a like-new condition in just a few hours for a fraction of the cost of replacement. WHAT IS A PORCELAIN BATHTUB?
How to restore a porcelain bathtub?
The Process
- Clean and Remove. To prepare for refinishing, Ayers first carves away the caulk between the tub and the walls and floor with a putty knife, then removes the drain cover ...
- Fill Dings and Scratches. ...
- Apply Three Coats of Acrylic Urethane Enamel. ...
- Dry and Buff. ...
How to clean an old porcelain enamel bathtub or sink?
Method 1 Method 1 of 3: Doing a Basic Cleaning Download Article
- Mix hot water and liquid dishwashing soap. Get out a small bucket and pour 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of gentle dishwashing soap into it.
- Rub the cleaning solution over the entire tub. Dip a sponge or soft cloth into the soapy cleaning solution.
- Rinse the tub with clean water. ...
- Clean the enamel tub every week. ...
Can a porcelain bathtub be resurfaced?
Yes, it is. A porcelain tub refinishing procedure, also known as porcelain bathtub reglazing or porcelain bathtub resurfacing is a clean and durable procedure that would rejuvenate an old, worn out, or damaged porcelain tub to a like-new condition in just a few hours for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
How can I make my porcelain tub look new?
Fill a bucket with warm water and add ammonia and baking soda to the liquid. Soak a cloth or sponge in the mixture and use it to scrub the tub — focusing especially on stained spots. Keep dipping the sponge, scrubbing and repeating until the tub is clean.
How do you refurbish an old porcelain tub?
0:044:34Restoring the Vintage Bathtub With Synthetic Porcelain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProduct for that professional use on professional use only it's not something you get but homeownersMoreProduct for that professional use on professional use only it's not something you get but homeowners generally should use the softer scrubbing. Absolutely absolutely the finish.
How much does it cost to refinish a porcelain tub?
How Much Does It Cost to Resurface a Tub? The usual bathtub refinishing cost is between $330 and $600, based on data from ImproveNet. You can expect to pay an average of about $460. This cost includes both the materials and labor if you hire a professional contractor.
Does vinegar damage porcelain tubs?
Cleaning tips: When cleaning a porcelain bathtub, avoid using abrasive cleaners as they can chip the surface of the bathtub. Also stay away from scouring powder, white vinegar, and steel wool as they can damage the finish of the bathtub.
Does vinegar hurt porcelain?
If used correctly, vinegar is a safe and effective tile cleaner for many tile materials including porcelain, ceramic and glass. However, do not use vinegar solutions on natural stone, travertine, wood tiles or unsealed grout, because the materials are too porous and will absorb the acid.
Is Bathtub Refinishing worth it?
Bathtub refinishing is worth the money if your tub is in good working condition. The reglazing process can remove surface imperfections, like scratches, shallow cracks, and stains. But if your tub is old, leaking, or full of mold, reglazing is just a waste of money. You'll have to buy a new tub soon anyway.
How long does it take to refinish a porcelain tub?
Advantages of porcelain tub refinishing: Quick - Typically only a day or two to complete the job.
How long does Reglazing a tub last?
10-15 yearsHow long does a refinish last? The short answer is that a professional reglaze will last 10-15 years. The long answer is that there are other factors in prolonging the glaze and finish of your bathtub. Refinishing helps protect the integrity of your bathtub.
What is the difference between reglazing and refinishing a tub?
So the main difference between the "bathtub refinishing” and “bathtub reglazing” is that the former refers to the entire restoration project and the latter refers to the commercial coating applied at the end of the process.
Can you Reglaze a tub yourself?
There are several DIY tub reglazing kits you can purchase. Some of them are decent, while others simply don't work as expected. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a decent kit, you won't have much trouble reglazing your tub.
Is my tub enamel or porcelain?
But there's a simple item you can use to determine bathtub types in this situation: a magnet. Since enamel tubs cover cast iron or steel, they'll be magnetic. So if the magnet doesn't stick, you have a porcelain tub.
Can a porcelain tub be polished?
Polishing your tub makes it easier to clean your tub by repelling watermarks and soap scum. Helps prolong the life of your tub. Great on both porcelain and fiberglass tubs.
How do you clean a badly stained bathtub?
Combine two parts vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle and spray the entire bathtub. Allow this soaking solution to sit in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes. For tough stains: place a towel soaked in a vinegar and baking soda paste or hydrogen peroxide onto the stain(s) and allow the towel to sit for up to one hour.
Is my bathtub porcelain or enamel?
But there's a simple item you can use to determine bathtub types in this situation: a magnet. Since enamel tubs cover cast iron or steel, they'll be magnetic. So if the magnet doesn't stick, you have a porcelain tub.
How long does it take for a porcelain tub to be clean?
Is your porcelain tub dull or hard to clean? Even with everyday normal use, the original porcelain finish on your bathtub can become dull, porous, and hard to clean after 15 - 20 years. The use of abrasive cleaners, like Comet or Ajax, can even more quickly degrade the surface.
How much does it cost to refinish a bathtub?
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the average bathtub replacement can cost $3000 or more when all costs are considered!
How good is Miracle Method refinishing?
Miracle Method's refinishing process is so good that 9 out of 10 people can't tell any difference between a new porcelain tub and a refinished tub! Our finishes are incredibly durable and come in a variety of colors and textures to meet any decorating plan.
How long does Miracle Method bathtub last?
It’s why Miracle Method can offer a 5-year warranty against failure of adhesion on its bathtubs.
How to contact Miracle Method for porcelain bathtub?
If you are considering replacing your porcelain bathtub, click on Find a Location or call our toll free locator number, 1-888-271-7690 to reach the nearest Miracle Method professional.
Do you want to replace or restore your tub?
Miracle Method can provide porcelain bathtub repair to beautifully restore and repair porcelain bathtubs. Our process can even change the color of your tub to compliment any decorating plan. Choosing to refinish your bathtub, instead of replacing it, can save you up to 75% of the costs. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the average bathtub replacement can cost $3000 or more when all costs are considered!
How to degloss porcelain tub?
Put on rubber gloves. Scrub the entire surface of the tub with trisodium phosphate or a phosphate-free substitute. You can find these items at a store that sells paint. Trisodium phosphate, or TSP, helps degloss the original porcelain surface. Rinse the bathtub with clean water and allow it to dry.
How long does it take for paint to cure on a bathtub?
Allow the paint to cure at least 48 hours before reinstalling the plumbing fixtures. Replace the silicone caulking around the bathtub, if necessary, with a bead of new caulking to seal moisture out of the joints where walls or floor and the bathtub meet.
How to use acrylic primer for spray paint?
Pour acrylic primer into the paint pot of a commercial-grade spray painter. If you don’t own one of these items, rent one at a home improvement store or rental center. They deliver a more consistent spray than a household-grade spray painter. Fasten the pot to the air compressor portion of the painter.
How long does it take for a bathtub to dry?
Spray the bathtub with a coat of primer. Allow the primer time to dry. In most cases, 30 minutes is sufficient, but humidity may require a longer drying time. Give the bathtub a second coat of primer and allow it to dry as well. Pour epoxy acrylic or acrylic polyurethane enamel paint into the paint pot.
Can you redo a porcelain tub?
Bathtubs that are large enough to soak in are an important fixture in any bathroom. If your house has an old porcelain bathtub that is looking worse for wear, don’t replace it. Porcelain tub refinishing takes some patience, but it is well worth the effort.
Is porcelain tub refinishing worth it?
Porcelain tub refinishing takes some patience, but it is well worth the effort. Bathtub resurfacing kits are available in home improvement and hardware stores, or you can put the components together individually. Either way, when you finish, you’ll have a tub to relax in that looks just like new.
How to sand a tub with epoxy?
Thorough sanding is especially important if the kit did not include an etching powder. Rinse the tub and let it dry.
How to get lint out of bathtub?
To avoid leaving lint on the bathtub surfaces, clean the roller cover before applying primer or epoxy coating . A good way to do this is by using sticky tape to pull away any loose lint from the roller cover.
How long does it take for a tub to cure?
Finish the edges as needed with a sponge brush. Apply a second coat of epoxy coating immediately after the first. Let the tub cure for 48 hours, keeping the area ventilated for at least the first day.
What do refinishing technicians do?
Refinishing technicians are highly aware of the fact that they are in a private residence, so they take precautions to minimize overspray and other mess. Technicians put down drop cloths and covers over cabinets and plumbing fixtures. Remove the bath faucet, drain fittings, and other hardware.
How to restore a scratched surface?
If there is extensive damage, the restorer may charge nominal extra fees for this. Apply up to three coats of primer with a sprayer, and let it dry. Apply three or four layers of a top-coat mixture with a sprayer, and let it cure.
How to clean mildew off of a drywall wall?
Use bleach to clean away any mildew stains, then scrub the entire thoroughly with an abrasive cleanser, or with LimeAway applied with an abrasive pad. Rinse thoroughly with clear water.
Can you reline a bathtub with acrylic liner?
Another option is to reline the tub with an acrylic liner, but this, too, can be a pricey option. Lining a tub costs nearly as much as bathtub replacement, and it is not a project homeowners can tackle themselves.
How long does it take to bake porcelain enamel?
The process involves sandblasting off the old finish, then baking on a new enamel coating at 1,475 degrees Farenheit for about four hours. "It's genuine porcelain enamel, the same glass coating used on bathtubs you buy in stores," says owner Kara Kopplin.
How long does a cast iron tub last?
But says Diane Robbins, co-owner of the franchise that resurfaced Jackie's tub, with proper care and maintenance (nonabrasive and bleach-free cleaners only), a refinished cast-iron tub surface should last 15 to 20 years.
What kind of paper do you use to putty fiberglass?
Ayers, a former auto-body repairman, trowels fiberglass putty into deep chips and scratches, just as he would on a damaged car door. (Had the tub been severely etched by cleanings with bleach, he would have had to putty the entire inner surface.) After the fiberglass hardens, he sands it with a coarse 36-grit paper to knock down high spots and an 80-grit paper to feather it out. He fills any pockmarks in the dried fiberglass with a polyester glazing putty, waits for it to set, then sands it in the same manner.
What kind of paint does Scott Ayers use on a bathtub?
Enveloped in a mist of paint, Scott Ayers sprays an acrylic urethane enamel over the bathtub’s damaged porcelain.
How does the Metropouloses buff their bathtub?
Finally, he hand buffs the tub to a shiny luster with a soft cloth and polymer glaze car wax. Eight hours after arriving at the Metropouloses' house, his work is done. They'll be able to slip into a bath later that night.
Who resurfaced the bathtub in the Miracle Method franchise?
That's what Jackie Metropoulos chose to do, and hired Scott Ayers , a technician for the Miracle Method franchise in Ludlow, Massachusetts, to resurface the old cast-iron bathtub in the 1919 house she and her husband, Matt, own in Longmeadow, Mass. Their second-floor bathroom has a mix of old charm and new shine, but the mounted tub looks and feels weathered, with a green watermark under the faucet, several nasty dings on the lip, and a dull, gritty texture from years of improper cleaning.
Is tub refinishing cheaper than buying new?
Tub refinishing is far cheaper than buying new, and the results are great.
