The Tub Company has been studying and perfecting bathtub reglazing for ten years, and we are the best reglazers in the area. After observing this method on thousands of tubs, we have found it to be the best way to restore a tub and will last the longest throughout the life of the tub. The process is a 4-6 hour procedure that involves spraying the entire surface of the tub with glaze using high volume/low pressure machines. The final product is a bathtub that looks like new. We use a number of different coatings for different applications. Our favorite for most residential tubs is a 24-hour cure 2-part aliphatic acrylic urethane coating. It is the strongest product that we know of that cures without baking. We also use 4- or 12-hour cures as needed. We are a dealer of coatings to contractors across the nation, and it comes from a very reliable manufacturer. Reglazing can be used on all types of tubs, including clawfoot, whirlpool, and jetted tubs, and on most any surface, such as fiberglass, cast iron, steel, and acrylic. To achieve maximum beauty and durability, and in order to provide you with the best in-home service in the area, we use a process that includes friendly, well-trained, uniformed employees that use only the highest quality of materials, including coatings. Before we even set our toolboxes down, we will mask and tarp our entire workspace, set up a thorough exhaust system, and do whatever is necessary to make you feel comfortable that nothing in your home will be damaged.
Once you are satisfied that your house is protected, and we have established a small workspace outside of the bathroom, the next step is to prepare the tub. Generally this involves removing most of the fixtures, such as the overflow and drain cover, and any additional hardware inside the tub that we feel is necessary, such as tub mounted grab bars.
Next, we begin our special cleaning process to remove absolutely everything from the surface of the tub. This step is what sets us apart from our competitors. On average, we spend about 90% more time on cleaning because we know that, if done properly, it will prolong the life of the restoration and will result in a flawless, long-lasting finish. To get the tub as clean as possible, we start by removing all of the calk and grout from around the entire perimeter of the tub. If the tub has been painted or glazed in the past we will also begin removing the coating from the finish. Then we scrape the entire tub with razor blades for soap scum, residue, paint, or deposits that may have accumulated. Then we use a combination of acid and alkaline cleansers to remove any unseen particles that the blades may have missed. We use a combination of acids to chemically etch the porcelain. Our main etch is a combination of hydrofluoric and phosphoric acids. These acids open the pores of the porcelain to accept the coating in the same way that wet sanding fiberglass will prepare it for coating. We thoroughly etch and/or sand every tub that we do. We give the tub a final wipe down and dusting, followed by a chemical cleaner. (You will be amazed at how clean your tub will be. You can feel for yourself - just ask your technician, just before they spray, to see and touch the surface. Your technician will even re-clean the tub afterwards to remove the oils left on the tub by your hand.)
At this point it is important to thoroughly dry the tub using air, heat and lights, concentrating on the perimeters and drain area. We want to bag and trap spigots, showerheads, and any spout that may drip water into the tub. While the tub is drying, we completely clean the rest of the bathroom. This guarantees that once the job is finished no hidden bathroom debris can fall into the finished product. Once this is done we can then begin to mask off the tub and surrounding area. This meticulous process is important to ensure that no over-spray can destroy existing bathroom fixtures, and more importantly to protect the tub from any bathroom debris that may blemish the finish.
As the tub dries, our technician will be performing any type of repair that is needed on the tub. We will remove chips, rust, or any staining problem in the tub. We do a flawless job using a combination of 2-part poly, fiberglass, and acrylic resins and fillers. We typically do not use 1-part fillers in our process. As needed, we may fill the gap between the tub and tub wall using a variety of cements such as grout, plaster, or mortar.
Once the tub has been completely prepped, and once your bathroom has been transformed into a clean working environment, the technician will begin to prepare the tub for primer and topcoats. We use many different primers for many different applications. Some of our topcoats work better with different primers, and some bind better to porcelain using no primer at all. Our topcoat is applied as one thick gel-coat. Depending on factors such as temperature, this primer can be sprayed on with one continuous application, or spread through several applications as needed. The end finish will have the look, depth, and shine of actual porcelain.
Finally, the technician will begin to remove all of the masking, tarps, tools, and exhaust systems from your home. We reseal the tub using the calk of the customer’s choice, typically a 100% silicone with antibacterial agents. We also clean and replace any fixtures that have been removed from the bathroom, or install any new hardware that the homeowner has chosen. If the homeowner desires, or if we feel it is necessary, we will leave items such as shower doors off to be replaced when the tub has reached its final curing point (see Additional Charges).
Payment is expected once the job has been completed. The technician can perform the transaction using cash, checks, or most major credit cards. You will receive a paid invoice as well as a detailed care and maintenance guide that includes our warranty. We will also provide you with a small bottle of white chip-filler that can be used as needed over the years. (Hint: If a chip appears in the tub, this easy to use chip filler can be applied immediately to preserve your finish.)
Warranty Policy: You will receive an unconditional one-year warranty for the first year after the service. This is a unique policy because we will repair anything that goes wrong with the tub, whether it is your fault or ours. After the first year, and for the life of the tub, we will provide any of our services on your tub at a 50% discount.
Additional Charges:
Strip Charge: There is an additional $75.00 charge if we need to strip any glaze, epoxy, or paint from the surface of the tub.
Hole Repair: Holes in the surface of the tub that leak water require a structural reinforcement underneath the tub that may cost an additional $85.00 to $235.00, depending on the severity of the damage.