Refinishing an Old Bathtub

Before replacing your old bathtub, consider refinishing it. Why should you refinish your bathtub? Mainly, by refinishing your bathtub rather than replacing it, you will save yourself a considerable amount of money, or a lot of work.

Removal of an old bathtub requires a tremendous amount of work. You will have to remove existing plumbing connections, remove wall tile surrounding the tub, possibly remove existing drywall, and may even have to cut a hole in the wall for removal of the tub. If the tub is situated in a small bathroom between two walls, its removal will require near demolition of the entire bathroom. If you undertake this project yourself, it will take a lot of time and even more time to return your bathroom to working order, if you hire a professional to remove your old tub, it will cost a lot of money.

Therefore, a better option is to refinish your existing tub. You have three options for refinishing. Option 1, you can have a liner installed over the tub. This liner, made of plastic, will cover your existing tub. It will cost around $1,000 to have it professionally installed. Plastic liners scratch easily, can crack, and can hold water underneath them if they ever leak.

Option 2, you can paint your tub yourself with an epoxy based tub paint. This option runs around $40. This will take a lot of elbow grease in preparing the tub for the new paint. The fumes from the epoxy paint can be overwhelming, and it will take several days to thoroughly dry. This option is best if you are on a limited budget. Your results will vary dependent upon the amount of prep work you do and the quality of paint you use.

Option 3, you can hire a professional to refinish your existing tub. The will recoat it with a multi step process using acrylic paints, bonding agents, and clear coats. The finish will be durable, and dry quickly. They will thoroughly clean the tub, mask off surrounding areas, apply the finish, and clean the room when done. This option will run from $400 to $700 and carries a guarantee covering the durability of the finish. A good refinisher will make your tub look like new and the finish will last for 10 years or more.

All of the options above will give your different results. But each option is better than replacement unless you are considering a complete bathroom remodel. Most bathroom remodels cost upwards of $10,000. If you are remodeling your bathroom, the tub should always be replaced.

If you are not remodeling your bathroom, consider one of the options above to revive your old tub. I would suggest option 3 as your best investment, but your budget and preferences will help you make the decision that is right for you.