People today live very fast, and they do most of their daily activities along the way. Showers with fancy features have replaced the long bubble baths in tubs. Now, you finish all your hygiene needs in no time. Still, sinking in a bathtub from time to time feels good.
Read about the benefits of hot baths in this link: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/cant-work-out-try-a-hot-bath
If the tub is part of your bathroom furniture, you probably know that it also requires regular maintenance. And when you notice that this accessory has seen better days, you are probably thinking about replacing it or getting it out of the bathroom.
Even some basic models cost a few hundred dollars, which means that replacement is not always the best solution. Installing a shower place is an even more expensive option and does not provide you with enjoyment like a bathtub. Refinishing is an economical solution to restore shine and functionality to your old bathtub.
What Is Refinishing?
Today, most households have acrylic bathtubs. You can also see classic metal tubs in some bathrooms. These are not old-fashioned models, but antique-looking fancy tubs made of iron cast steel. In both types, after some time, the protective layer decays. Due to the almost daily exposure to water, these cracks begin to rust, and dark spots and lines appear on the tub.
Refinishing or reglazing interventions repair scratches, cracks, and stains. It’s a great solution to extend the life of an old bathtub a little more. You can hire a refinisher to do this job, which is not long-lasting but can be dull. They must apply several coats of primer, which take several hours to harden and form a new protective layer.
If you hire Phoenix bathtub refinishers in your local area to do tube reglazing, it’s a much cheaper option than buying a new bathtub. But if you have some free time, DIY skills, and the necessary tools, you can do tub refinishing yourself. Keep in mind this is just a cosmetic fix-it job and that replacing a worn-out bathtub will have to happen sometime.
DIY Refinishing
For this job, you need reglazing kits that you can buy in specialized stores or order online. These contain cleaners and various brushes for deglazing, polishing, and applying new coatings. For cracks, use soft brushes to remove dirt from them. Use harder brushes to get rid of stains from mold and rust.
As for materials, refinishing kits include steel wool and epoxy with hardener. The basic epoxy is usually white, but you can ask to be tinted in the color you want. You can also buy products with full protective equipment (latex gloves and glasses).
Preparation is the most critical part of a job well done. Cover and secure the area around the tub. Reglazing is not a messy job, but better safe than sorry. Also, provide airflow by using vents while working. Be sure to remove the tub faucet, especially if they are made of nickel or chrome, so as not to damage the metal surface.
The cracked layer must be well cleaned and sanded. You’ll need water and etching powder to scrub the acrylic well. The next step is to clean the tub surface, which you’ll do with special cleaning agents from refinishing kits. It’s necessary to remove even the smallest particles in order for the primer to better adhere to the surface.
Be Careful
The materials you’ll use for refinishing are slightly toxic. That is why you should wear goggles and gloves while working. After finishing the work, which will last a couple of hours, leave the bathroom to air out for a couple of days. Wash and disinfect the tub, and you can hop in it again. On this page, find handy tips on preventing rust stains in bathtubs.
Weather conditions are an essential factor when doing bathtub refinishing. It is best to opt for this DIY project during early fall or spring. In winter, you will have problems with the epoxy hardening too fast. During summer, high humidity will slow down the whole process.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of the bathtub with appropriate means will delay its rotting. A shower is maybe a more convenient unit, especially if your bathroom is cramped. But the feeling of soaking into warm, fragrant water is something that a shower can’t provide you with.
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