Home renovation can provide you with many unique advantages. For instance, a bathtub refinishing service is a unique process that can transform your home for the better and make it a more exciting and attractive place to spend time. If you don't know what this process entails, it's essential to read through this article to learn more about what it might mean for you.

What Is Bathtub Refinishing?

Bathtub refinishing is the process of coating your tub with a new finish. We start by reviewing the tub with the homeowner, and our process includes several steps. First, we go over any issues with the tub, as well as an explanation of what will be going on. If there are any repairs that need to be made, or if your current finish needs to be stripped down, we will start there before beginning the reglazing process.

After putting drop cloths around the bathroom floor to prevent damaging anything, we scrape and remove the caulk from around the tub, take out the overflow stopper, and line tape around the edges to avoid the walls and floors. We sand the entire surface of the tub and apply a chemical etching cream for 10 minutes before thoroughly cleaning and drying your bathtub fully.

After the paper is taped to the walls and any uncovered surfaces, primer is applied to the tub and dried. Two coats of bonding agents are sprayed on top of the primer, followed by multiple coats of the finish. The tape is removed from around the tub and from the stopper.

How Long Will Bathtub Refinishing Take?

Refinishing isn't a lengthy process and can take as little as a few hours when you work with a professional bathtub refinishing service. These experts fully understand how to refinish your bathroom quickly and will take steps to ensure things go smoothly. In rare cases, the refinishing may take a day or even two, depending on the contractor and their other projects.

During this process, you can't use your bathtub and must wait several hours before using it again. Plan to avoid your bathtub for at least one day, including during the process and after. Usually, you can shower again the next day.

Will This Refinishing Last a Long Time?

The best thing about bathtub refinishing is its long-lasting nature. When properly handled, it can last far longer than you might expect. For example, according to Home Guide, skilled bathtub refinishing can last 10 to 15 years with proper installation and maintenance. Thankfully, maintenance isn't too complex and mostly focuses on simply cleaning your tub.

What Will You Spend on Bathtub Refinishing?

You'll spend good money refinishing your bathtub. While it might seem simple on the surface, it requires several steps to ensure it goes smoothly. That said, you will spend far less refinishing a bathtub than replacing it. According to This Old House, replacement can cost as much as $1,500 or more, including labor and parts because the bathtub is typically cut apart before it's removed.

By contrast, This Old House suggests that a refinishing job will cost much less, sometimes as little as $350. That means you could refinish your bathtub five times at the cost of replacing it. Interestingly, this refinishing process will add value to your home and make it easier to sell. The buyer is typically interested mostly in aesthetics first and will appreciate how beautiful your bathtub looks.

A high-quality professional can streamline this process and ensure it goes smoothly. They'll base your refinishing on what you need, focusing on providing specialized help that makes sense. Typically, they'll talk to you about any major changes your bathtub might need, such as changes to its overall structure and whether it needs a complete replacement or if refinishing is good enough.

Can You Do Bathtub Refinishing Yourself?

While doing bathtub refinishing yourself is possible, it's not a great idea. That's because it's very easy to make mistakes that can adversely affect your bathtub's quality. Even those DIY bathtub refinishing kits you've probably seen at your favorite hardware store can't prepare you for the unique demands of this process. As a result, it's better to have a bathtub refinishing service team help you.

First, those refinishing kits might seem nice, but they're nowhere near as good as a professional service. They'll help you through the process and provide many of the same services. Unfortunately, their quality is low compared to expert care and typically gives poor results. You simply won't get the same kind of look and feel that you would if you just had someone do it for you.

Yes, you'll probably initially save money using a DIY refinishing kit. But that savings will quickly disappear after hiring someone to refinish your tub. That's because you'll likely make serious mistakes that cost you money and make your refinishing less attractive, plus it simply won't last as long and you'll likely have to do it again in the near future.

Is a Refinishing Project Worth It?

Working with a bathtub refinishing service is a great option for many people because it can transform their bathtub and make it more attractive. It's a great idea to refinish a newer bathtub that's still in good shape but needs a little touch-up. For example, refurbishing is an excellent option if your tub's color has faded and needs more shine. It will restore your bathtub to its former beauty and stay strong for years. It also adds more value to your home and ensures a better resale price if you plan on selling.

Now that you better understand bathtub refinishing service, you can decide whether this option works best for you. You should find a team to handle this unique process to ensure you get the best results. Call Bath Magic if you're on the fence about this process and need to work with a team that makes the most sense for your home's unique renovation needs.