Bathtub Reglazing

As the former owner of a bathtub refinishing business my advice is that unless this is a secondary tub that does not see much use don't do it. Refinished tubs are high maintenance. I don't care what any refinisher tells you it is paint and if you want it to last you wash it like you do your car. You will have to clean it more often as well. Get a bid on replacing the tub.

As to the materials (paints) used they are highly toxic. When sprayed in an enclosed area the person doing the work should be wearing full protection including a full face fresh air mask

Re the bathtub refinishing thing - I thank the two people who warned against it - I have a low rent in a stabilized building and the landlord is going to do anything he doesn't have to for us - like refinishing the bathroom which we have already asked him to do. I've considered just having the tub which is old and funky refinished too - - but something about the toxins always made me hesitate - so I am glad that someone who was in the business was able to be honest about this - -

Iif I wanted to replace a very heavy clawfoot tub and if the landlord agrees to let us handle this - where do I go? It must cost ALOT to remove a tub like this from a 3 floor walkup, right?

Actually, you should get measurements of the tub, doors, hallways, stairwells and entrances to see if the tub can be moved out at all. It's possible that tub was brought in under very different circumstances other then the obvious entrance doorway.

I really like the reglaze job I got - bought an old clawfoot and hired the guy with the protective gear and french fry lights. Still good (no sign of peeling) after 10+ years. The only special care I've done is not using harsh abrasive cleansers, and putting a towel down when we bathe beasts with claws.

I have no recollection of what company did the job. Brownstowner is def the place to check.

I don't think there is any out gassing after the coating is applied and dry. The toxicity is the solvents but they flash off.


What to look for:

The key, as in any kind of painting, is the prep. Pull out all the old caulking. Clean to surface well and dry it well, we used to use big heat lamps on the tub to make sure all the water was gone. Pull the drain out and remove the overflow cover. Most of the failures I saw were around these areas. The trick is always to get the paint to stick. We used a proprietary bonding agent instead of an acid etch

Use the best paint. I think that Acrylic Polyurethane is the best, some people might like Polyester Polyurethane. The Polyester will initially look better with a somewhat higher gloss and harder finish but it is much more difficult to polish repair. Some people use an Epoxy, but please don't, it yellows, gets hard and brittle after a few years and is most likly to start pealing off (but is is cheaper and easier to apply well )

If it is of any help my business was a franchise of Miracle Method. They have a franchise in Yonkers I think but don't know if they would come to Brooklyn.

http://www.hotfrog.com/Companies/Miracle-Method-Of-Yonkers
http://www.miraclemethod.com/

Many of our customers are still happy after 5-10 years since their tubs have been reglazed. We guerantee our work, and our showroom is located in Park Slope. Give us a call for a free estimate 718.241.7314. To see our work, click on link below.

www.ReglazingNYC.com