Resurfacing Bathtubs and Tile With DuraGlaze ™

WHY SHOULD I RESURFACE MY BATHTUB?
Resurfacing or refinishing bathtubs and bath vanity tops is a very cost effective alternative to replacement. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry estimates that the average cost to replace a bathtub today is between $2,500 and $3,000, depending upon the type of bathtub. Moreover, in shopping for a new bathtub you'll most likely find that today's bathtubs are not of the same quality as your original tub. Bathtubs manufactured today are narrower, and not as deep or comfortable as the bathtubs made 25 or more years ago.

Replacing a bathtub often results in a complete bathroom remodeling project, since many bathtubs cannot be removed from the bathroom without tearing out walls. In addition, the "footprint" of the tub will undoubtedly be different, so new flooring will be required. The same is true of the ceramic tile surround above the bathtub. The process of replacing a bathtub and the associated remodeling can take weeks. Resurfacing can be done in a day!

Many customers resurface their bathtubs simply to change the color. This is certainly a valid reason. Blue, brown or turquoise bathtubs were once popular, but are not often found in today's decorating magazines. Most people, however, resurface their bathtubs because it has lost the gleaming, smooth, cleanable finish it had when it was new. Hard water deposits, rust stains and years of strenuous cleaning or scrubbing often leave the surface of the bathtub ugly, pitted, damaged and difficult to clean. A bathtub in this condition tends to encourage the use of abrasive cleaners and even more scrubbing in an attempt to get it clean. As you might imagine, this only wears away the finish further.

One piece fiberglass or acrylic bathtubs and shower surrounds often weaken and crack after a few years of use, and replacing them can involve tearing out a wall to get the old unit out and a replacement installed. We can repair and refinish the surfaces of your cast iron, steel, or fiberglass tub so that really expensive replacement and bathroom remodeling isn't necessary. The result is your bathtub will look better, last longer, and clean much easier, and you will save a great deal of time and expense compared to replacement.

WHAT IS DuraGlaze ™?
DuraGlaze ™ is an aliphatic acrylic polyurethane coating. This two part catalyzed coating was originally developed for NASA and the aerospace industry a number of years ago. It is now used in many industries when an extremely hard, abrasion resistant, and durable finish is needed.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
First, thorough surface preparation is essential. After making sure that the bathtub is completely clean, we apply an acid to etch the bathtub finish. The acid takes off the gloss from the original finish and etches the surface. Millions of microscopic fissures are opened into the original surface of the bathtub. This will allow our adhesive primer to penetrate into the surface of the tub and create a strong mechanical bond. This is a very important step. Although acid etching is an unpleasant process for the technician, anyone who tells you that it isn't necessary, or is an obsolete procedure, is just trying to cut corners. But we don't stop with etching in our effort to create the strongest bond possible between the old and new finish.

While, some companies only etch the tub, most skip that step and only apply a bonding agent. We do both. It is more time consuming and expensive, to be sure, but acid etching and applying a bonding agent assures the best possible bond between the old surface and the new finish. After the acid etching process, we repair any significant chips, pitted areas, or scratches. Then, we apply the bonding agent to increase the adhesion between your tub and the new finish.



We mask around the tub and all of the fixtures, protect cabinets and adjacent areas with plastic, and cover your floors. The first coat applied to the tub is a catalyzed epoxy adhesive primer. It is applied using a HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) application system. This system applies the adhesive primer at less than 7 lbs. per square inch, in order to minimize overspray. The epoxy adhesive primer flows onto the surface and into the microscopic fissures and pores created by the acid etch process. This product is designed to adhere tenaciously to the bathtub surface and to promote the best possible bond.

Finally, we mix the DuraGlaze ™ resin and catalyst, and apply multiple coats of DuraGlaze ™ using the same HVLP method. A chemical reaction takes place and the new finish begins to harden and fuse with the epoxy adhesive primer. The result is a refinished bathtub that looks better, lasts longer, and cleans easier for a fraction of the cost of replacement.

WHAT ABOUT THE CAULK AROUND THE BATHTUB?
We will remove any worn out caulk, and re-caulk around the top of the bathtub after the tub is dry.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?
Most bathtubs can be completed in about 4-6 hours and the bathtub can be used 24 hours after we have completed our work.

HOW LONG WILL THE NEW FINISH LAST?
We offer a 6-Year homeowner warranty, but you can expect between 10 - 15 years of use before the tub would need to be touched up or redone. See our Warranty page for more details.

DOES THE PROCESS SMELL?
Yes. The smell can be strong for a few hours after we are finished spraying. About an hour after completion, DuraGlaze ™no longer emits any odors. We use powerful exhaust fans and flexible ductwork to exhaust as much of the odor to the outside of the home as possible. Many times our customers comment that the smell wasn't an issue for them at all.

CAN I RESURFACE MY WALL TILE?
Yes. The reason that most customers refinish their tile is to change the color. Many bathrooms have tile that is in good shape, but the color is out-of-date. They are tired of having to decorate around colors like pink, peach, green, and yellow. However, cracked tile can be repaired and refinished to look like new without the cost of replacement. The new finish is strong and durable enough to last for many years. Perhaps your tile has been previously repaired using a color that doesn't match the original. Resurfacing is a perfect solution.

WHAT ABOUT THE GROUT?
DuraGlaze ™ is applied as a liquid and covers the grout lines as well. The result is that the grout will be the same color and texture as the tile. Your tile will retain the visual definition of the grout lines so it will still look like ceramic tile, but after resurfacing, the grout will be sealed and as easy to clean as the tile itself. Problems with mildew and mold growing on the porous grout are gone!

If you live in the Bryan College Station, Texas area call us for a free estimate of the cost to refinish your ceramic tile countertop, shower, or tub surround.

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