Can You Really Do Your Bathtub Refinishing? Here’s What Experts Have to Say

bathtub refinishing

Not all homeowners think they have the time or know-how to do their own bathtub refinishing. But is doing it yourself actually possible? 

Experts say that refinishing a bathtub does not need to be a difficult task, but the process can take upwards of five hours for a small-sized tub with an average person’s repertoire of skills and tools.

Some homeowners want to do their bathtub refinishing, but should they?

When homeowners are looking for ways to save money, bathtub refinishing can be an attractive option. However, some homeowners have found that this is not always the case. Bathtub refinishing can have several potential downsides, including the risk of damaging the tub while sanding or painting it and also requiring time commitment beyond just doing a DIY project. It’s essential to understand what you’re getting into before starting any major remodeling work on your bathroom! 

One of the many interior design trends that have been sweeping homeowners is a desire to do their own bathtub refinishing. While it can seem like a simple project, there are some things you should know before deciding to take on this DIY project. Below we have broken down some pros and cons for those considering bathtub refinishing themselves. 

Advantages

You get complete control over how your tub looks and doesn’t need to worry about someone else messing up your work or not doing it correctly; if you mess up, no one will know but you! The DIY method is often cheaper than hiring a professional, can be done in less time with fewer materials required than other methods, allowing for creativity when designing the look of your tub. 

Disadvantages

If something goes wrong, such as paint chipping off or bubbles forming under the new coating, then no one can fix it except yourself; if anything goes wrong. If not done correctly or carefully could result in unsightly drips or runs on flooring below the tub’s surface area, which may require costly repairs down the line; there’s also an increased risk someone could get hurt because they work without protective gear like gloves or goggles. 

What is the Process of Bathtub Refinishing?

Bathtub refinishing is a process that involves stripping the old finish off of your bathtub and applying an epoxy coating. It consists of sanding, priming, and painting the bathtub with a protective coating to bring it back to life.

1. The process of bathtub refinishing begins with cleaning the tub and removing any rust or old paint from the surface of your tub using an acid-based cleaner like vinegar or lacquer thinner.

2. After that, a coating is applied to the surface and then sanded down to give it a smooth texture

3. Next, another coat of sealant is applied to protect against water damage and stains. Finish off by applying at least two coats of high-gloss paint for a beautiful look!  

4. Finally, once all coats are dry, the flooring around the tub can be replaced if necessary

5. This process should take about two days in total for an average-sized bathtub

The process can be broken down into three main steps: stripping, sanding, and painting.

Stripping

The process of stripping bathtub refinishing can be a long and tedious task. It is worth the effort, however, to get beautiful results without all the mess. Stripping the tub is usually the first step in refinishing it because you need to get rid of all the old material before putting on a new finish.

This part of the bathtub refinishing process is necessary to make sure that the final product reflects your desired aesthetic. Often, an attractive-looking exterior surface must start with a clean base. The “stripping” process starts by determining if any remaining layers of coating need to be removed before painting. If so, this can require manual tools or chemical strippers depending on how adherent the layer is. The next step would entail cleaning off any residue leftover from removing the coatings- removing them carefully into small pieces for disposal in order to preserve as much time and product as possible by not chipping any additional paintwork during removal–and then removing unwanted etch marks left behind after stripping using sandpaper or sandblasting. 

Sanding

After cleaning the surface, sanding is done to ensure no bumpy spots are left on the tub. This step is crucial because sandpaper (abrasive mesh) can knock off any remaining paint or rust that might be stuck on the tub anywhere not appropriately cleaned during the stripping process. In addition, sanding will smooth out the surface, creating a better bonding ground for paint, and this helps prepare the surface for high-performance primers and paints. 

Sanders, in most cases, can leave behind visible and unsightly swirl marks and scratches after using them on the tubs’ surface, however. To prevent this from happening, light pressure is usually suggested when sanding so as to avoid scratching the bathtub’s surface. A sanding block is usually used when sanding the tub, though it is wise to avoid using extension poles because they can leave marks from being dragged on the floor and around corners. 

Painting

When the stripping, sanding, and cleaning are done, you are now ready to apply paint. This step of the bathtub refinishing process may require you to use a primer with your paint so it can bond well with the surface of the tub. Many different types of primers meet most needs. Your choice of primer should be based on your preferred end result and the current state of the tub’s surface.

Most bathtub refinishing products will recommend the use of high-performance paint. The reason for this is because they can hold up better against moisture and chemical damage such as rusting, chipping, or peeling than most other paints available on the market. High-performance paint can be customized for many different purposes, so it is recommended to get the right kind of paint based on your needs. For example, one kind of high-performance paint might be better suited for car engines than another type because that specific formula was designed to hold up against heat and oil more effectively.

The Cost of Bathtub Refinishing Can Be High, But You Can Save On It

Bathroom tubs are an important part of any home and bathroom remodeling job; they provide a place for your family to bathe and relax after long days at work or school. But what happens when your bathtub is not looking like one of the best parts of your home? You need to find a way to fix it before anyone else notices! The easiest solution is refinishing the tub, which will make its appearance look fresh once again without having to replace the entire thing. However, this comes with an expensive price tag – but there are ways that you can save on this project by doing some research beforehand!

Firstly, consider hiring a professional to do the job. This will alleviate all of the hard work for you and ensure the best possible outcome, but it will cost you significantly more than if you did it yourself! Also, if there are mistakes made during the process, this additional money is not coming back so keep that in mind as well.

If you choose to hire out or simply want to try doing some of the work yourself, be sure to also look around online because many companies offer coupons and discounts for their services. Most local hardware stores offer coupons on paint products, or else they match prices with larger retailers like Walmart or Home Depot. Either way, this can save you quite a bit of cash which was otherwise going towards refinishing your entire bathtub.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Are you looking for a way to save money by refinishing your bathtub yourself, or do you prefer the convenience of hiring someone else to take care of it?

DIY – If you are confident in your skills and want to save on labor costs, then DIY could be an option. When doing this type of work, it is important that the right materials are used because there are chemicals involved. You also need access to power tools like grinders and sanders.

Hire a Pro – A pro can use less expensive products than what would typically be used with DIY options, so they may cost less. They also have more experience with this type of job, so it will take them less time to complete the task. Plus, if mistakes are made, a pro can fix it so you don’t have to worry about having to redo the entire job yourself.

Take your time and consider all of your options before deciding on which route is going to work best for you. In addition to cost, think about how much time you have available to do the job. Once the bathtub is refinished, it will be great looking again!

Conclusion

We all want to save money, but sometimes it’s worth paying for the experts. If you’re looking at doing your own bathtub refinishing project, be sure to take into account how much time and effort is required of this process before deciding if it’s something you can do yourself or not. Bathtubs are a major investment that needs care and attention – so don’t just go with any old paint job!