How to Refinish a Bathtub
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about How to Refinish a Bathtub and hope the blog can help you.
In a few short days, DIYers with the skills and time to devote to bathtub refinishing can transform a stained old bathtub into a new version of itself.
Want to replace your vintage cast iron bathtub? You may be surprised that a comparable antique tub, or even a period-style reproduction, can easily cost thousands of dollars. A better, more economical option to getting a fresh-looking bathtub is to refinish it yourself.
Refinishing kits cost about $30 at the local home improvement center, which may sound like too good a deal too good to pass up. However, bathtub refinishing is no modest undertaking. Before jumping into the project with both feet, it’s important that you’re ready for the tasks involved in refinishing, feel comfortable working with chemicals, and commit to the time it takes to complete the project. DIYers with the skills and time to devote can transform an old stained bathtub into a new version of itself over the course of a weekend. We’ll walk you through how to refinish a bathtub, and when it’s done you can soak in the glory of a job well done.
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Before You Begin Your Bathtub Refinishing DIY
It’s important to read all of the instructions involved with this DIY project before you begin. You’ll also want to make sure the work area is well ventilated, and review what’s included in the bathtub refinishing kit before heading out to buy other tools and materials.
Be Ready for Surprises
You never know when a straightforward bathtub refinishing job can turn into an elaborate bathroom overhaul. When caulking is removed from around the edges of an old tub, you may find hidden areas of damp in the walls, prompting you to replace the water-damaged material. Indeed, older homes are full of surprises, so be ready for anything.
RELATED: How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Bathtub?
Set Up a Safe Workspace
When you take on any home DIY project, it’s important to educate yourself on the risks involved so you can take necessary steps to stay safe while you work. Refinishing a bathtub will typically involve using paint, primer, and sometimes paint stripper. Using these materials in an enclosed space is dangerous and has been known to lead to death on several occasions, according to the CDC.
While most DIY refinishing kits do not contain powerful stripping agents, it is still of the utmost importance that you ventilate the bathroom you’re working in by opening the windows, turning on the exhaust fan, and setting up at least one additional fan that can blow air directly out of the window or door. Keep in mind that some chemicals are heavier than the air, so they can actually sink into the tub and become trapped instead of rising up to the height of a window.
It’s also recommended that DIYers wear protective gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and a full-face respirator. Avoid leaning directly into the bathtub, as low-lying gas could put you at risk.
Inventory Your Bathtub Refinishing Kit
Next, unpack your refinishing kit and see which tools and materials are included. If the kit comes with paint and only paint, you will have to purchase other essential project materials yourself. These include but are not limited to painting tools, protective gear, and cleaning supplies.
While it’s possible to achieve a satisfying finish with a brush and roller, a paint sprayer will provide the most professional-looking result. The following are the tools and materials needed for this project.
Tools & Materials
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