How can I make my old bathtub look new again?
Replacing a bathtub can cost up to $1000 but refinishing a bathtub DIY costs $77. Completing the job is easy for anyone with basic painting skills.
Can you refinish a bathtub by yourself?
Refinishing a bathtub DIY is a good idea for anyone to easily spruce up an old bathroom. This comes without the added labor and cost of cutting up, removing the old tub and installing a new tub. Refinishing a bathtub DIY isn’t a perfect solution because its not as durable or have the longevity of a new tub. However refinishing a bathtub is a great choice for the DIYer that isn’t afraid to periodically touch up blemishes.
Is it difficult to refinish a bathtub?
It is not difficult to refinish your own bathtub. It is not that difficult even for novice DIYers to complete. If you can paint a wall you will be able to refinish a bathtub.
What supplies do you need to refinish a bathtub?
| Supply | Bathtub resurfacing kit | Paint brushes | Painters tape | Sand paper | Mask | Total |
| Cost | $60 | $3 | $5 | $6 | $3 | $77 |
You will need a bathtub resurfacing kit, paint brushes, painters tape, sand paper, and a mask to complete the job.
How to refinish a bathtub step by step
Step 1:
Assess the condition of the bathtub that is going to be refinished. Is the bathtub made of metal, fiberglass, or acrylic? Metal tubs cant really be sanded too much but acrylic and fiberglass are easier to smooth out. If it has major structural damage like a hole or major chips this won’t be able to be refinished. Scratches can be tolerated as they can be sanded out or filled with refinisher.
This is also a good time to assess the condition of the walls of the bath area. Most people have a a tub surround or tile. If you have damage from water intrusion could mean you have a bigger project on your hands of fixing the walls first.
Step 2:
Prepare the bathroom for sanding. This process will be very dusty so it will be helpful to remove personal items from the bathroom. Don’t forget to set up a fan that is blowing air out the window so dust from sanding and later fumes will be ventilated. Tape off the walls of the bath area with painters tape and paper. Remove any bathtub hardware like tub spouts, drain fitting and drain switch plate.
Step 3:
Use an orbital sander to polish all surfaces of the tub. Wear dust mask, long sleeves and goggles. As mentioned earlier if the tub is metal you will only be able to sand off the paint layer and and not smooth scratches. Start with a rougher grit sand paper and finish with a finer grit sand paper until the surface of the tub is smooth. When refinishing a bathtub DIY its important to create a smooth surface for the refinishing agent to attach to.
Step 4:
Thoroughly clean the sanded surface of any dust or debris. Wipe up any large debris and you can wash the rest of the dust down the drain with the shower. Use a sponge to clean any areas that are unreachable to the shower heads water. The next step is to add refinishing agent so make sure it is completely clean.
Step 5:
The chemicals used to refinish a bathtub DIY are noxious and not good to breath in. Make sure the door is open and a fan is pointing out the window to remove fumes. You can also turn on the shower fan as well. Wear a respirator, long sleeves and gloves as this stuff is gnarly.
The refinishing agent will come in a two cans, Part B the paint and Part A the activator. Mix the contents based on the boxes instructions in a mixing vessel. Use a disposable stirring stick to mix the two parts. I decided to apply the refinisher with a brush. Both the stirring stick and brush will be dead after this project.
Dip the brush in the refinishing liquid and apply the liquid to the tub in long strokes. Make sure all of your strokes run parallel in the same direction. The refinishing liquid sets very quickly so work in an efficient manner. Don’t go back and try to touch up brush strokes as it may cause ripples in the surface of the tub. Work from one end of the tub to the other only applying one coat with each stroke.
Step 6:
Let the refinishing agent dry for 24 hours before applying another coat. To ensure maximum durability its best to apply at least 3 coats of the refinishing agent.
Step 7:
Reattach any hardware that was removed prior to installation of the refinishing kit.
Step 8:
Ultimately refinishing a bathtub DIY is not a permanent solution. Bathtubs are heavy traffic areas as this is where people stand while showering. You will have chips over time there is no stopping it. The good news is it is rather easy to touch up spots where chips develop. I have a refinished bathtub in a rental property and I touch it up once a year in between tenants.
Refinishing a bathtub DIY pros and cons
Pros: Its affordable and easy to install compared to the alternative. The alternative is cutting out the tub and removing it. This is reduces waste compared to buying a new drain pan. Cost for refinishing a bathtub DIY is $40 for the refinish kit and $3 for chip brush. It takes 2 hours of work to complete the project over 4 days.
Cons: It is not 100% durable and will chip with time. Will require touching up blemishes periodically. The smell the chemical releases is horrendous so it was not the funnest project. Touching up spots was easier as it required less noxious refinishing kits. All I can say is wear a respirator and have circulation in the room.
What is the best kit for refinishing a bathtub DIY?
The best kit refinishing is rustoleum tub and tile two part mix. The kit is bight white color that makes the surface look newer. It doesn’t look identical to a brand new shower pan but it is very close. This is the best kit out there from my experience. After applying 3 coats of the refinishing mix, the tub surface will be strong enough to last at least a year. This depends on the traffic of the shower. Keep leftovers of the refinishing kit for touch ups later on.
Is it worth it to refinish a bathtub?
Refinishing a bathtub costs around $77 while alternatives are hundreds of dollars more. From an ROI perspective refinishing has high bang for your buck and totally worth it. Improving bathroom space is a solid investment in the equity value of the home. Refinishing a bathtub DIY can improve the value of the home at a fraction of the cost. This comes with its limits as the buyer should be aware that refinished tubs require maintenance.
Conclusion: Refinishing a bathtub DIY
Refinishing a bathtub DIY is a good choice that should come with an asterisk. It may not look as good a brand new on but it will be mostly indistinguishable. Even if this is not the most durable solution it does make a lot of sense to different users.
Other resources: https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/blog/beginners-guide-tiling-bathroom