Tub Refinishing

[Black_Bay]

Does anyone have experience with refinishing a bath tub? The wife wants a new tub and I'm thinking refinishing the one we have now might be an easier alternative than replacing it.

[IFallsRon]

I saw a demo at a home show and it seems to be a pretty simple process. You can get a kit for $20 at Target; some of the building places may carry them.

[BoxMN]

My stepson just had it done by pros. Not sure how much it costs, but it looks great. Good luck.

[The Grebe]

It looks great, but it's expensive to have done by the professionals. If you are gonna sell your place fine, if you plan on living there and especially if you have kids, go with a different tub as opposed to the coating.

I've had ours done twice and it lasts maybe 3 years before it starts to peel....I thought maybe the first one was a fluke. It usually starts around the drain, but it will also buckle here and there...get little spider webs, the water gets in and thats that. With kids dropping things in the tub, anyone dropping anything in the tub, only hastens the peeling.

If I had it to do over and I may well have to, I'd go with all the extra work of putting in a different different tub...at least that and the tiling is something I could do myself.

About 3-4 years ago the price of having the pros come in, clean, acid strip and coat that sucker was about $400.00 if I'm not mistaken? Maybe it was three hundred something and tax?

[Sandmannd]

I'm with Grebe, if you want it to last, just get a new tub. They really aren't that hard to put in, just heavy. Another option if you don't wanna replace it are the folks that put a hole tub shell over yours with a surround and all as one piece. This wouldn't come apart at all. Can't remember their names, but something to look into.

[MNcanepole]

I was a plumber for 40 years. I say replace the tub, even the professional done ones don't last that long. It's not a real big deal to change out the tub. Some sheet rock, joint compound, 12 pack of beer and paint. Good Luck

[Black_Bay]

Thanks everyone. I'll probably just get a new tub and hopefully not a new hernia.

[MNcanepole]

If it's a cast iron tub, use a large sludge hammer or mall 10 pounder or better. Make sure you have safety glasses on and about 10 hits later its in pices you can carry. That porcelain and cast iron fly like bullets so be careful. Hit the tub from the inside.

[Black_Bay]

Thanks. I saw that putting wet towels in the tub helps keep pieces from flying around.

[Sonicrunch]

bump

I am glad I found this thread. I was going to refinish my fiberglass enclosure, but it sounds like it would be a waste.

New tub (and tile) here come!!!

Thanks guys