Professional Bathtub Refinishing Kit DIY Guide

Dreaming of a sparkling clean, like-new bathtub without the hassle and expense of a full replacement? With the right DIY refinishing kit, you can restore dingy tubs in your home to a factory-fresh sheen.

Benefits of DIY Bathtub Refinishing Kits

Over time, constant use leaves previously pristine bathtubs looking worn and dirty. Soap scum, minerals, and grime dull the surface, while chips and scratches mar the finish. Replacing the entire tub is costly, disruptive, and time consuming.

Fortunately, DIY refinishing kits offer a budget-friendly alternative to restore your tub's luster. With some simple supplies, a little elbow grease, and a weekend's worth of time, you can make your bath gleam like new again. Refinishing kits yield professional-quality results at a fraction of replacement cost.

Cost Savings

Purchasing a DIY refinishing kit typically costs $150-$300 depending on tub size and kit contents. Hiring a professional refinisher costs $400-$800 on average. And replacing a tub entirely can cost $2,000-$5,000 with installation. DIY kits offer dramatic savings, letting you revitalize baths on a budget.

Achieve Like-New Results

Quality refinishing kits contain industrial-grade primers, coatings, and abrasives to rejuvenate worn tub surfaces. Applied properly, the thick and durable acrylic/polyurethane layers resist staining, etching, peeling, and chipping for years. Kits hide scratches, chips, cracks, and stains to make your tub gleam.

Modernize Existing Tubs

Refinishing offers inexpensive customization too. Kits include clear coats or come in various sheens and colors to update old tubs' style. Add a fresh glossy white, soothing pastel, or daring metallic finish without replacing the tub or tiles.

Boost Home Value

A newly refinished tub modernizes bathrooms to boost resale value. On average, realtors estimate refinished tubs recoup 80-90% of project costs at sale. And buyers favor updated baths over expensive replacements.

What's Included in Bathtub Refinishing Kits

DIY refinishing kits contain all the specialty coating products and tools homeowners need to professionally restore their tubs. High-performance multi-step systems act as durable barriers against water damage and stains.

Bonding Primers

Etching primers use strong bonding agents to grip firmly to slick tub surfaces. This adhesion allows finish coats to stick to form long-lasting barriers. Primers also block stains and seals porous areas prone to collecting grime if left untreated.

Abrasives

Refinishing requires sanding to scuff the tub's surface so undercoats and topcoats bond properly. Kits include abrasive pads, sandpaper, or chemical deglossing solutions to roughen and prep the substrate. Achieving proper adhesion prevents peeling or chipping.

Finish Coatings

The acrylic, polyurethane, or epoxy resins included refinish bathtub surfaces with protective sheens. Multiple coats often build to create durable, waterproof layers which resist moisture damage, stains, cleaning chemicals, scratches, and more.

Application Tools

Kits also provide the necessary applicators for each step like paintbrushes, dense foam rollers, spray guns, mixing sticks, and more. These specialized tools allow users to apply each product smoothly and evenly during the process.

Personal Safety Gear

Chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, masks, and drop cloths minimize exposure during application. Working with industrial chemicals, primers, solvents and other refinishing products requires taking proper precautions.

How to Prepare Your Bathtub for Refinishing

While refinishing kits simplify DIY tub restoration, careful prep work ensures these products yield smooth, long-lasting results. Follow these key steps to get your bath ready for its makeover.

Clean Surface Thoroughly

Begin by cleaning your tub carefully with bathroom cleaners or solutions like diluted bleach. Removing all dirt, stains, soap scum, mildew, and standing water prevents adhesion issues during refinishing. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Repair Any Chips or Cracks

Inspect for flaws in the existing finish. Use waterproof epoxy fillers formulated for ceramic and porcelain to patch small chips or cracks. Allow cures fully before sanding smooth. Address leaks or extensive damage before refinishing.

Mask Surrounding Areas

Protect nearby surfaces from splatters and overspray by covering them completely. Carefully tape off floors, walls, fixtures, and cabinetry with plastic drop cloths. Remove shower doors, shelves, and wall-mounted accessories if possible.

Scuff the Surface

Use 220-400 grit sandpaper or abrasive pads to scuff up and degloss the tub's interior surface. Only roughen existing finish, not down to bare porcelain. Ensure epoxy primers and finish topcoats bond correctly by properly scratching up the glossy tub surface.

Applying DIY Bathtub Refinishing Coatings

Follow your kit's detailed instructions precisely to achieve an even, smooth, durable new finish. While products vary, most share this general multi-step application process using the specialized supplies included.

Prep Safety Gear & Ventilation

Wear protective equipment like gloves, goggles, masks, and work clothes to minimize exposure to chemicals. Turn on fans, open windows, use portable ventilation machines to circulate fumes. Cover flooring to catch drips too.

Etching Primer

Coat the entire scuffed tub surface using etching primer and allow drying completely. This specially formulated undercoat serves two important purposes before finish coats. Its gritty surface profile aids adhesion. And its barrier properties prevent existing stains from bleeding through.

Abrasively Degloss

Using included sandpaper or deglossing solutions, scuff away gloss so additional layers bond properly. Grippy primers still feel smooth, so lightly abrading develops surface profile again. Wipe clean when done.

Base Coat

Roller on a smooth, even base layer of acrylic or polyurethane resin without bubbles or drips. Base coats further fill scratches and develop layer thickness. Let cure fully before additional refinishing steps.

Finish Topcoats

Apply two or more finish coats of durable enamel, preferably using a small foam roller for best results. Allow proper drying times between layers. Sand lightly to smooth drips if needed. Final coats provide stain and water protection.

Caring for Your Refinished Bathtub

While DIY bathtub refinishing kits produce extremely durable results when applied properly, following care guidelines helps maintain the renewed factory-fresh look.

Allow Proper Curing Time

Most tub refinishing products fully cure in 5-7 days before exposure to standing water. Wait the recommended duration before first use to prevent hot bath water from interacting with coatings still off-gassing.

Clean Gently

Use mild cleaners without abrasive pads or scrubbing tools. Harsh chemicals and scouring can damage protective finish layers over time. Rinse thoroughly after gentle cleaning.

Touch up any scratches, chips or flaws in the refinishing layers right away with enamel paint. Addressing minor tub damage prevents moisture intrusion leading to further issues.