Thank you and your input will highly be appreciated.Bath tub reglazing - how good it is?
Your question; Is it cost effective? Is it going to last? What is the maintenance involved? These are all quality questions which deserve quality answers.
Let's start with cost. First of all, the average cost of a tub install is anywhere between $1,400 and $2,500 and that does not factor in the tub surround. When your old tub is removed the tile at the base of the tub must be demolished. It is possible that a ';good'; installer can demo in such a way that you only have to repair the first row or two of tile. The reality is if it is older than 10 years finding a match for the tile will probably be impossible and will lead to a complete re-tile. Now, you are looking at about $4,000 to $8,000 just to replace the tub and is this cost effective for you? Be prepared from the moment you decide to dress up that tub to make this decision.
Now, a good re-glaze can last better than 10 years if done properly and there is a process which will ensure this. Preparation, product and technique are the key to a long lasting finish. If this technique is not followed your re-glaze will last anywhere from 1 day to 2 years. Two years may sound like a lot but when another company has to go in and strip the old finish off add another $500 to the re-glaze for a total of $950 to have it re-glazed again. This is not cost effective. If you're going to do it, do it right the first time and you will pat yourself on the back 5 years later when your tub still has a shine and is not peeling.
Now let's get down to process. The re-glazing process can be five to six steps:
1.) If you are refinishing from a previous re-glaze, the finish must be stripped.
2.) Removal of any caulking materials. Silicone is a contaminant and will cause the finish to fish eye. It is important to remove all traces of this.
3.) The old porcelain needs to be etched by means of an acid. This process will prepare the surface for the primer.
4.) The surface must be wiped down with a solvent de-greaser to ensure that there are no more contaminants left behind.
5.) The surface must be primed with an epoxy primer to ensure proper cross hatching of compounds (i.e.-porcelain to primer, primer to finish)
6.) The surface is then sprayed with a polyurethane resin which can be tinted to any color you desire.
When these steps are followed, you can be sure your re-glaze is going to last for years. A good refinisher will give you at least a 5 year warranty ';in writing';, now that is cost effective! You will be happy and have just saved at least 70% of the cost of replacement.
Best,
George Piccot
AB Ceramic Tile Regrout and Reglaze Systems
http://www.regroutpros.com
Bath tub reglazing - how good it is?
I have had it done professionally and it involved changing the colour from primrose to white. Several years done good job. It sure beats getting a new bath which would not be cast iron anyway and would probably involve smashing the old bath in situ into easily movable bits. The replacement would only be sheet steel or fibreglass which I feel are more susceptible to movement and more difficult to seal against the wall.
You should remove old sealant before the resurfacing in order to ensure that the on completion the new surface will extend to the edges of the bath and thus under new sealing or tiling giving a nice sharp finish to where sealing/tiling ends and new surface begins.
I suggest that you cover existing tiles with protective paper held on by masking tape - mine suffered from some overspray and it was a difficult
job to remove it (by definition of course it was difficult). I think I had to use a razor blade (carefully).
You will be given instuctions on when you can use the bath and probably not to spash it etc for a period - follow those instuctions.
You will also be given a guarantee against defective workmanship.
Given the need I would do it again.
Good luck.
If I were you, I would hire a professional to do it. I used a home glazing kit that I bought from home depot. It was a lot of hard work and I had to do it twice. The first time, I didn't use the tub for almost a week (directions said 3 days I think), but when I finally used it, the glaze got messed up. Even when it seems like its dry to the touch, the pressure of standing in the tub messes up the glaze. The second time I gave the tub almost two weeks to dry. There are a couple of spots in the tub that are messed up, but overall its okay.
In contrast, when I lived in an apartment my tub was a mess when I moved in so the apartment manager hired someone to come in and do it. The professional did it quickly and easily and it came out perfectly. In addition, whatever glaze he used dried completely in 24 hours so we could use the tub the next day.
Good luck!
If your handy, check out my web site under DIY. This company also sends a representative to your home to give you details how it works.
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