How Bathtub Refinishing Works, Step by Step
It Starts With a Deep Clean Most people are shocked at how much grime hides on an old tub. Years of soap, oils, and hard water leave a film no household spray can fully lift. So the first move is a heavy solvent clean. A tech strips every trace of residue from the surface. This step matters more than it sounds. If anything is left behind, the new coat will not stick the way it should. A spotless base is what makes the whole job last. Repairs and Primer Come Next Once the tub is clean, the tech hunts for flaws. Chips, dents, and hairline cracks all get noted. These show up on almost every older tub, even ones treated with care. A dropped bottle or a stray toy is often the culprit. Each flaw gets filled with epoxy that cures rock hard. Smoothed and sanded, the repairs vanish from sight. Primer follows, and it does quiet but vital work. A good primer grabs the old surface and gives the new coat something to bond to. Skip it, and the finish can lift la...