How To Refinish A Bathtub

Save money and update that old bathroom by refinishing that old tub. Add years to the life of a tub by repairing chips and scratches. Refinishing is available in many colors, and, depending on the process used, it is finished in a few hours.

Preparation

Refinishing a bathtub requires a list of supplies prepared for use ahead of time. Remember that this process uses harmful chemicals, so a half-face mask and good ventilation is necessary. Read and follow all instructions included in the tub refinishing kit. The kit may also contain most of the products that are needed. If not, gather the following list to begin the preparation process: oTub refinishing kit oSafety glasses oRespirator oLatex gloves oScrewdriver oNew Razor blade or scraper oNonabrasive cleaner and sponge oSandpaper (Check resurfacing kit instructions for grit size) Using the screwdriver, remove the drain cover. Scrap off all traces of the old caulking or silicone from the edges of the tub. Clean and rinse the tub thoroughly, removing all soap scum, dirt, rust and oils. This step is important since the surface prep and paint may fail if they react to any foreign substances left on the tub's surface. Sand the surface of the tub if the resurfacing kit requires it. Clean the tub of all the dust - usually a vacuum works well for this - followed by wiping the tub down with a soft cloth. Rinse the tub again, and let dry. Apply the surface prep solution if it is required in the instructions of the resurfacing kit.

Painting

Equipment and supplies needed for the painting process are: oMasking tape oRoll plastic and plastic bags oRemember safety gear oPaint sprayer, roller and handle or brushes Once the tub dries, protect areas from paint spray by taping them off with the masking tape. Cover tub fixtures with plastic bags and secure them with tape. Use the roll plastic to protect the walls above the tub, the flooring and any other fixtures or cabinetry from over-spray. Following the kit instructions, prepare the primer. Make sure the room has good ventilation by either opening a window or using fans for good airflow. A paint sprayer produces the best finish. If a sprayer is not available, use the paint rollers and brushes to apply the primer. Allow the primer to thoroughly dry. Once the primer is dry, start from the bottom up, and apply the topcoat using the sprayer or roller. Again, allow this coat to dry. Typically, it takes 48 hours to completely dry. When dry, remove the tape and plastic protection, re-caulk or apply silicone to the tub edges, re-install the drain cover and the lever plate and it is done.

If a total bath remodel is not in the budget, refinish the bathtub to make it look like new. With a little time and patience, you can refresh the bathroom and make that tub last as long as the fixtures.

A paint sprayer produces the best finish

by Kay Inglis, Home & Garden writer