Refinishing a bathtub using a kit?

[HardDrive]

I'm just finishing up a house, and it has a nasty old bathtub. There is a local guy who does them for $400. He does the tub and recaulks everything. He come with a great reputation. I've looked online, and there are many kits available for $30ish.

Has anyone used one of these kits? Is the process painful enough to warrant spending $400?

[Drdogface]

Subscribe.....our kitchen sink needs it

[sc_rufctr]

I've seen the kits you mentioned but never seen the finished product. But I guess it's like anything else. If you put the effort in and follow the instructions you'll get a good result.

I'd have a go... Why not? If you stuff it up you're only $30 in and can hire the pro to redo it anyway.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I'd have a go... Why not?

Your underestimating my profound aversion to actual work.

It probably is worth a try, if only to do the product test for future reference.

[matthew-s]

I have never used a kit. Have had a "pro" come and do it though. It looks good when done, but you won't get more than a year or two out of it. It was the last straw that caused us to re-do our bathroom.

[johnsjmc]

Call around or look on Craigslist for someone cheaper than $400. I have used a kit and the results are disappointing and it peeled off in spots 6 mo later. I have had 2 tubs professionally refinished since and both were around $200 cash

[gr8fl4porsche]

I have done about a thousand of them. Way longer life than 2 years. My brother has a clawfoot tub we did 8 years ago, is used everyday, and doesn't have a spot of trouble.

I can't imagine what comes in a kit for $30.

$400 seems fair if it is a quality job. It is a very tricky paint job. We spend between 5-7 hrs per tub. I have seen guys who charge $275 and are done in 2 hours.

To do correctly, the following steps are required.

1. Remove the drain accessories whenever possible. That is the spot where failure starts.
2. Remove all caulking around perimeter.
3. Clean, clean and clean again. Lots of soap residue. Must be perfectly clean.
4. Sand all surfaces until dull.
5. Acid etch using Porch Etch 1010.
6. Remove dried acid when it appears dry.
7. Mask and prime with multicomponent epoxy by Hawk Research Labs.
8. Finish coat with multicomponent urethane by Hawk.
9. If desired, mask the bottom of the tub and apply another coat of urethane mixed with
aluminum oxide for slip resistance.
10.Recaulk everything and reinstall drain.
11.Let cure for a week if possible.


Ask the contractor if he follows anything close to the above procedure. If so, the tub should last for awhile. Start skipping steps and peeling is guaranteed.

[gassy]

Each of the above steps seems well worth paying someone $36.36/step to do it for me.

[rsNINESOOPER]

Spray painting your bathtub is silly and painting it with a paintbrush using self leveling epoxy formulated for use by the public is even sillier. the products that can be ordered or purchased in CA. are a joke, WA. can't be a whole lot better. These sorts of products are meant to make money, not smiles.

Pay someone who has been in the tub refinishing business for a few years and forget about it.

[Halm]

Is the tub in your house, or are fixing it up to sell?

A professional refinish is barely better than lipstick on a pig. A kit has to be worse. If this is your house, replace the tub and be done with it. If selling, have a pro do it.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by Halm

Is the tub in your house, or are fixing it up to sell?

Flipping it.

[john walker's workshop]

i had a pro do ours. lasted about as long as his warranty. first a big water bubble then it peeled off in sheets. very thin also on the side he was leaning over.

[Brian 162]

I paid $650 to have my claw foot tub re-finished 2 years ago. It came with a 5 year guarantee. They had to come back and correct a run but other than that I'm happy with the job.
It did stink up the bathroom for a week.
I was told not to use the tub for 4 days.
The job took around 5 hours to complete and he did what was posted by Randy above.

[azasadny]

I've seen the reults of the kits and the finished product that a professional produces... hire the pro!!!

[dad911]

For $400 you can probably change the tub..... you can buy a 5' tub for $150, then patch the tile or glue walls over it.