Tips on restoring a bathtub? Best course of action?

Question

A tub in my unit has had paint chipping for the last year. I have tried using the paint sealer that's available in Home Depot, but it only seems to last around 8 months before it start chipping away again. The chipping isn't terrible, but it's noticeable. I just feel as if its going to get worse over time.

I've heard that you can have a new tub cover measured and installed that goes over the existing tub. Is that a viable option and is that expensive? How does that compare to the spray on sealer that is professionally done? I have tiling around the tub and not ready to do a complete demo. Thanks in advance!

Patrick Drury · Answer

@David Czech

The professional spray-on sealer you are referring to is called glazing. Glazing a bathtub lasts a long time as long as you take care of it. You can also glaze the tile in a shower if it's outdated instead of re-tiling, which is much more expensive.

Account Closed · Answer

@David Czech

I had this done low and behold unbeknownst to me the tenant had a pet that she bathed in the tub. when I went back to the apartment for an inspection I saw the aftermath of what had occurred. It was wasted money.

Changing it over will cost around $1500 all in or $2k depending who you hire.

Good luck

Time is something you can’t buy back.

Angel

Nick Barlow · Answer

@David Czech my experience with glazing a tub has been better than @Bill Crow’s experience.

We had a $300 expense in early 2018 and haven’t had complaints since.

It looked fine to me when I did our last annual inspection late last year.

If you can find a contractor to do it now-I think that’s the biggest question. If you Gina a contractor, and find the quote to be a palatable expense, I’d consider it as a course of action.

Bill Crow · Answer

@David Czech

My experience with professional resurfacing (spraying) has been disappointing. The resurfacing lasted about a year and peeled off in chunks. The company honored their warranty and re-did the two tubs. The same thing happened a year later.

Maybe there are better products and better installers. I wouldn’t do it again based on our experience.

Jessica Riggen · Answer

@David Czech

I have brought out a company here in Oregon to spray a new ceramic glaze on an old tub. I would only do it in your current situation as it costs about $250

Gail K. · Answer

I had to go back (waay back) to pull up a youtube video I saw quite a while ago regarding a product called Ekopel 2K for do it yourself reglazing of bathtubs. More expensive than the stuff from the big box stores (but those products don't last very long) but less expensive than professional reglazing. Adequate prep is vital when trying this yourself.

Matt M. · Answer

@David Czech

If possible, your best bet is to rip it out and replace.

Stewart Beal · Answer

You should hire a professional tub reglazing company, they use products you can't buy yourself at the store. I use Surface Solutions in Canton, MI for instance.

Gail K. · Answer

In my neck of the woods professional reglazing tub estimates run $600 to $950. Companies that provide and cover the old tub have estimates close to $2K.

Tips on restoring a bathtub? Best course of action?

Tips on restoring a bathtub? Best course of action?

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