January, 12 2024 Connecticut Reglazing Admin
Tired of looking at your bathtub only to find yourself wishing it looked better? Or are you embarrassed to let guests see or use the tub because of how outdated, stained, or chipped it is?
An unsightly bathtub does not have to rule your life anymore and while tub reglazing sounds like something only a professional can do, it is surprisingly not, especially if you are handy. Refinishing your own tub is an affordable DIY project that can be completed in a short amount of time with long-lasting results.
Below, we will discuss how you can refinish your own tub on your own with some tips from our professionals. As always, if you find yourself unable to complete the refinishing job or you aren’t comfortable with this type of DIY project, Connecticut Reglazing is here to help you!
Tools to Complete a DIY Tub Refinishing Job
Before you start any project, you want to make sure that you have the tools necessary to get the job done. Below, you will find a list of tools recommended by our professionals to perform your DIY tub reglazing project.
Tub Refinishing:
- Protective eyewear
- Gloves
- Fan
- Bathtub cleaner
- Scrub brush
- Respirator with cartridges
- Sander
- 400-grit sandpaper
- Epoxy putty stick
- Disposable paint trays
- Tack cloth
- Paint roller (4 inches)
- Foam paintbrushes (small)
- Painter’s tape
Ventilation Supplies (if needed):
- Cardboard
- Duct fan
- Duct fan vent hose
- Plastic drop cloth for the door (zipper for keeping closed, if desired)
The Project: DIY Tub Refinishing
Follow the steps below to guide you through the process of refinishing your bathtub yourself.
- Ventilate the Area
If you have a bathroom window, set up a fan and face it outwards to help remove fumes from the bathroom area and keep air moving around. You want to also open as many doors and windows throughout your home as possible.
If you do not have a bathroom window, you should use a plastic drop cloth to block off the doorway. You will then want to connect the duct vent hose to the duct fan. Connect the hose according to the directions on the vent. (Remember, keep the vent side that sucks air out with you.)
Open the closest window and fit it with a piece of cardboard that has a hole the size of the vent in it. Run your hose underneath plastic sheeting through to the window and outfit the hose to the cardboard. Secure the cardboard and hose in place using painter’s tape.
- Make Necessary Repairs
If your tub has any type of damage, now is the time to fix it. You will want to read and follow the directions on the epoxy product.
After the product has dried for the specified amount of time, you will need to sand these spots down.
- Clean and Dry the Bathtub
Now is the time to clean your tub. You want to make sure you get it as nice and clean as possible. You do not want to take any shortcuts here.
Once it is clean, dry it out.
- Sand the Tub
Put on your respirator and get to sanding. Sanding down the tub is what creates the perfect surface for your tub’s glaze to cling onto. It is recommended that you sand, buff, and clean the surface two or three times to ensure the best results.
- Cover the Fixtures
Protect the fixtures in your tub with painter’s tape. Failure to protect these areas could mean the refinishing product gets on them.
- Apply the Reglazing Product to Your Tub
Making sure you are wearing your eyewear and respirator and making sure you turn on the ventilation system, you will now apply the refinishing product to your tub.
You may need to apply several coats, especially if you have a tub that is a dark color or very stained.
- Allow Your Tub to Dry
Once you have applied the product and are happy with the number of coats applied, you will need to allow the tub to dry. You should wait a minimum of 72 hours to ensure the glaze is dried and set.
Note: You will need to wait to caulk until the glaze has dried.
How Much Will Reglazing My Tub Cost Me?
Well, it depends. In general, if you choose to reglaze your tub as a DIY project, you can expect to pay an average of about $500. Prices vary anywhere between $300 to $600.
If you choose to hire a professional to reglaze your tub, you can expect to pay within that range or a bit more depending on several factors.
Professional Tub Reglazing Services in Connecticut
Saving money and completing a DIY project sounds great, but when it comes to tub reglazing, you must know what you are doing or at least have a very good idea.
Choosing the wrong product or applying the product incorrectly can cause the adhesion to fail and leave you needing to get your tub professionally reglazed, which also means double the initial price.
If you are interested in tub reglazing services, the experts at Connecticut Reglazing are here to help. We will walk you through our process and provide you with a free quote for service. Let our team get your tub sparkling and looking new once again. Call us today to schedule your consultation with us.