The Bathtub Refinishing Process

Over time, bathtubs will become chipped, stained, rough on the surface, and, in some cases, even cracked, whether it's fiberglass, steel cast iron, or a vintage antique bathtub or sink. All of these time-worn imperfections can be completely repaired. What follows here is an explanation of the refinishing process that is used to repair and refinish the surface of both the bathtub and the sink.

Preparation

First, the surrounding caulking is carefully removed, then the overflow fixture is removed, and the surface is cleaned. Please note that, although the overflow fixture must be removed in order to properly refinish the entire surface of the bathtub or sink, no pipes are in any way effected by the bathtub refinishing process.

Sanding and Etching in the Bathtub Refinishing Process

Etching is a process of applying a solution to the surface of the bathtub or sink in order to etch the surface so that, when the primer coat is applied, it will adhere properly. After etching, the surface is washed and dried. And finally, the entire surface is then sanded and ready to be primed. Removal of the sanding residue is extremely important as well. We use our own Air Motion™ ventilation system to remove dust and fumes from the work area. See a demo here.

Application of The Top Finish

After the surface area has been sanded and prepared for the top finish, the bathroom area is masked off with masking film and drop cloths. Then primer is applied.

After the primer is applied and dried, a tack cloth is used to remove any dust. In addition, our Air Motion™ fan helps speed up the drying time and prevents fumes from traveling beyond the work area.

After the primer has dried, then the top coat is finally applied. The top finish is an acrylic enamel urethane that will not discolor. It is applied to a depth of 6 mils. Drying time for the top finish is 24 hours, after which your bathtub or sink has been totally refinished to a like new condition.

Concerns for Toxicity and Ventilation

Many people have serious, legitimate concerns about any toxicity that may be introduced into their home due to the bathtub and sink refinishing process. As mentioned earlier, we use our own Air Motion™ ventilation system, which you can see and read about at the Air Motion Web site. Our Air Motion™ ventilation system will very efficiently remove any dust or fumes from the work areas and then capture the paint and dust particulates with its unique filtration system.