Bathtub reglazing

[plainjane]

Our newish bathtub has a number of abrasions from over-enthusiastic cleaning, and now is impossible to actually get clean.

The SO is willing to get a professional in to reglaze the tub (which looks to be ~$350-$500), but I was wondering if anyone had experiences with DIYing it.  Tips? Suggestions?  Is the finish worth it?

[Dave1442397]

A friend had it done a few years ago, and wishes he hadn't bothered. The guy he used was good, and did a good job, but there are strict guidelines as to what kind of cleaning products you can use on the new surface. He said he can't really keep it as clean as he would like, and it's more susceptible to chipping and cracking. If he'd known how it would turn out, he would have just bought a new tub.

[Morning Glory]

I diy-ed this with a kit from Menards several years ago. It seemed to work ok but I moved out less than a year later so i couldn't tell you how long it lasted.

[Miss Piggy]

Can you not try buffing and re-smoothing it?

I had a tub re-glazed in my old house, but that house and tub were 50 years old. I re-glazed only to get it ready for sale, so I can't comment on the longevity, but it sure didn't look like it would last nearly as long as the finish on a new tub. In your shoes, I wouldn't do it.

[plainjane]

Can you not try buffing and re-smoothing it?

I am not sure, I haven't come across that idea before, my concern is that it would wear down the finish even further.  What would the re-smoothing entail?  We are concerned about just replacing the new tub that it would damage the tile work, and it is a new reno.  Just the tub was a bad choice.

[AMandM]

I refinished a tub several years ago, using a two-part epoxy kit.
I loved the look of the final product, and the total cost (tools + materials) was about $75. It took about 3 intense days.

Surface prep is critical.  You cannot clean it too much!  The epoxy will not adhere to impurities, leading to bubbles and peeling at the site.

It stinks!  You need excellent ventilation and a respirator. Sensitive people may need to move out temporarily.

Apply in multiple thin coats. Put the epoxy in the freezer between coats, so it doesn't dry up.  I was able to put on one coat more than the package recommended, which I think helped.

It lasted fine for two years, in a house with 7 people and two bathrooms.  Then we moved. My sister used the same kit, in a house with 4 people and one bathroom, and had a bit of peeling around the drain after a few years.  That was remedied with touch-up paint.

[Miss Piggy]

Do you happen to know what the tub is made of? Is it a metal tub with paint/glaze on top, or is it plastic through and through? We have a solid plastic/vinyl tub that I'm 99.9% sure could be buffed til the cows come home and still be perfectly white and shiny. In other words, I think it's just a solid piece of white plastic--no additional finish on it.

[FIRE me]

Our newish bathtub has a number of abrasions from over-enthusiastic cleaning, and now is impossible to actually get clean.

The SO is willing to get a professional in to reglaze the tub (which looks to be ~$350-$500), but I was wondering if anyone had experiences with DIYing it.  Tips? Suggestions?  Is the finish worth it?

A few years ago I had my worn out green 1950's tub refinished to white by Miracle Method and I am happy with it. It is holding up well, but I do follow the care instructions exactly.

Just keep in mind the new finish is paint, not porcelain. That means no abrasives, bleach, or tub and tile cleaner of any kind.

Miracle Method says for cleaning use Fantastic only on it, and oddly enough they recommend waxing it once a year with Nufinish car wax. The Nufinish is a polymer wax and does not make the tub slippery.

[CptCool]

I'd highly recommend just paying the $350 for someone else to do it. It'll go much faster (done within a day) and you don't have to deal with the acid wash or other harmful chemicals.

I had it done about a year ago and it is holding up as if I had just done it yesterday. Only clean with soap & water & it is easy to keep clean even though I have very hard water in my town