When your bathtub has seem better days and probably many families with children using its basin for washing, it may be time for you to refinish or replace your bathtub. Replacing your bathtub can cost quite a bit more than refinishing it, and refinishing the tub can make your bathtub look like it is a new tub. Here are some tips to help you during the process of reglazing your bathtub to restore its look.
Remove Build-Up
The first step to resurfacing your bathtub is to clean the bathtub's interior to remove soap scum, calcium, and other residues left behind from using the tub. It can be helpful to use a cleaning solution that removes calcium, lime, and soap scum all in one go so you can make the surface clean for the new glazing application to adhere properly. If you fail to remove any spots of residue on your bathtub, the refinish will eventually peel or flake from its surface, revealing the original surface of your bathtub. Eventually, even one small chip will result in much or all of the refinished surface flaking off.
Although it is not build-up, it is also important to remove the caulking from around the edges of your tub. This caulk will be in the way of applying the new finish and should be peeled up and scraped to expose the bathtub's entire surface.
Protect Nearby Surfaces
Now you will need to cover any surfaces in your bathroom that are adjacent to your bathtub with a drop cloth. This includes any bathroom cabinetry and counter top, toilet, and nearby fixtures that connect to the bathtub. Use masking tape to cover exposed tile and flooring that are difficult to cover with a drop cloth. Also remove any fixtures inside your bathtub that you do not want to be glazed, such as the faucet, drain plug, or a shower head.
Sand and Repair the Bathtub
As a last step before you apply the new surface to your tub, you will need to sand the surface of the bathtub to remove the finish from the tub and help the new surface application adhere. If there are any gouges, chips, or dents in the surface of your bathtub, now is the time to fill them with a bathtub repair kit, which you can find at most home improvement stores.
Now your bathtub is ready for you to apply the primer, paint, and a topcoat to refinish your bathtub. To learn more, contact a company like Tub Solutions Inc.
Share28 September 2017
After I started focusing seriously on making my home look and feel brand new, it occurred to me that I needed to do something to make things even better. I started working with a team of remodeling contractors, and although I didn't always understand their decisions, it became apparent pretty quickly that they understood what they were doing. They worked with us each and every day to make things right, and I was really impressed with their level of professionalism. Check out this blog for great information on understanding remodeling decisions each and every time you complete a new project.
