Chipped up? Discolored beyond saving? The finish is just plain dull? There’s a good chance that you’ve at least thought about replacing the bathtub in your home. Before you start planning on how you’re going to fit the expense into your budget, though, consider refinishing the tub.
Confirm the Tub Can Be Refinished
It’s important to make sure refinishing is an option that makes sense for the condition of your particular fixture. Bathtub refinishing is a good option if it’s just in need of a fresh new coat of paint. It’s not an option if you need to remove the fixture as part of a larger bathroom remodeling project. And it won’t make up for any serious problems with the integrity of the fixture. A refinished finish will hold up well on a fixture that is sound and sturdy underfoot but probably won’t hold up on one with any significant structural problems, including plumbing issues or movement.
Ask What the Preparation Process Includes
Bathtub refinishing is a more complicated process than just giving an old surface a fresh coat of paint. To ensure that the refinishing project lasts as long as possible, the surface must be properly prepared. When comparing providers such as Renew-It Refinishing, ask about the preparatory measures that any refinishers you hire will take, including:
- Thorough cleaning of the surface
- Removal of soap residue
- Repairing chips
- Smoothing out the surface
- Preparing it to accept the new finish
Skipping any of those steps could lead to a refinished surface that wears quickly, develops bubbles, and may start peeling. Ask, too, about how the refinisher will prepare the rest of the bathroom. Walls, floors, and fixtures should all be protected. Ask questions about how the room will be ventilated (www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/improving-indoor-air-quality). Find out how the company will remove any caulk, for instance, and replace it after the refinishing job is finished. And ask about what the company does to limit overspray and strong fumes.
Compare Scope, Timing, and Warranty in Writing
Get written estimates from 3 bathtub refinishing companies in your Portland area. Compare the bids carefully to see what each one includes. Does the cost cover repairs of any minor damage to the fixture? Protection of surrounding walls and fixtures with masking? Thorough cleanup afterward? Ask about warranties. Be sure each bid identifies the item to be refinished (make sure they know if you want your shower refinished too!), what kind and color of finish you want, and what you, the homeowner, should or shouldn’t do before an appointment.
Having that information in writing up front is helpful down the road in case of any disagreements about whether or not certain services (prep or cleanup work, repairs, for example) were part of the job. It’s easier to sort out any disagreements before paint and other materials have had a chance to harden.
Understand Drying Time and Bathroom Access
Ask how long it will be before the tub can be used and whether or not you’ll be able to keep people out of the bathroom. A freshly refinished fixture will need ventilation as it dries. The length of time you’ll have to keep out of the bathroom can vary, so it’s a good idea to find out before scheduling your refinishing project.
Once the refinisher leaves, you may have to refrain from putting items like soap dishes and shower caddies into the shower. And you definitely have to wait a certain length of time before you put a bath mat back in the tub. Using the items before the refinishing has dried and cured can damage your new refinish.
Ask for aftercare instructions as well. You may have to change the way you clean a refinished fixture. Refinished fixtures usually should never be cleaned with harsh powdered or abrasive cleaners or abrasive pads. Some refinished surfaces fare poorly with rubber suction-cupped mats.
Check Warranty Terms Before Scheduling
A good bathtub refinishing company stands behind its work. When getting an estimate, ask about the warranty. What situations are excluded? Find out if you can claim the warranty if the house shifts, there are problems with rust or plumbing leaks you didn’t know about, if the wrong cleaner was used to maintain it, or if someone other than the refinishing company works on the fixture.
Inspect Past Work Before You Commit
When interviewing different companies, ask to see pictures of past refinishing jobs. Inspect photos closely, paying attention to corners, edges, drains, caulk lines, and around overflow drains. Check the photos to be sure there are no patches, drips, buildup, or spots that feel rough to the touch. You should also see no evidence of trapped dirt and other material under the refinish.
Ask, too, what the refinisher does if a customer isn’t satisfied with a refinished fixture. That question tells you more than glossy advertisements about how a company treats customers. And be sure any photos you’re shown are of refinishing jobs the company itself has done. Ask if the photos include the original repair work the company did.
