Reglazing describes the process of repairing and refinishing the surface of residential or commercial items, and replicates the look and feel of new. Residential and commercial items that can be refinished using the reglazing technique include: bathtubs. wall tile.
That's why refinishing your bathroom tile might be a better option than replacing it. Reglazing your bathroom tile will give the room a new look and feel and leave you with fewer out-of-pocket expenses. These savings can leave room in your budget for other projects.
What You Can Expect From Reglazed Tiles. Refinishing your tiles is an amazing way to keep them looking gorgeous for years. In fact, reglazing has been proven to last for more than 10 years, if you take care of your bathroom tiles.
Reglazing is simply a step in the refinishing process—the final step, to be exact. It involves the application of a glazing substance that's rubbed or painted on the outermost layer of your tub. Reglazing can be done on just about any bathtub size or type; even fiberglass tubs can be reglazed these days.
If you have an antique porcelain tub, you need to locate someone who has experience reglazing it. If you have a more modern porcelain tub, you can expect the reglazing process to add roughly 10-15 years.
Tub resurfacing is an excellent option for bathtubs that have scratches, stains or other minor imperfections. Restoring is also the way to go for homeowners with older, antique models. Acrylic bathtubs can be reglazed too, as long as the damage is minimal.
Advantages: The cost of tub reglazing is lower than the cost of a full tub replacement or the cost of a new liner. The average cost is about $452, according to Angie's List. A refinished bathtub can last for about 20 years if you care for it properly, which can be longer than the lifespan of a brand-new bathtub.
Peeling: If a reglazed tub is peeling, there are several factors to consider. First, the surface may not have been prepared correctly. Peeling can also occur if there's a small chip on the surface. If water seeps into the chip, it can cause the rest of the finish to loosen.
After it is cured, it is safe to bathe in the reglazed tub. To avoid problems and maintain the coating, refrain from adding a bath mat or appliques with suction cups to your tub's surface. The suction cups could damage the coating and void your warranty.
Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, typically costing $300-$600, depending on the area and process. If your bathtub is dingy and stained or even sports severe rust and cracks, a trained professional can likely fix and re-coat the surface for a like-new look.
Reglazing typically costs the homeowner less than half of the cost of retiling the bathroom.
Most Bathtubs Cannot Be Refinished a Third Time
Many bathtubs can be refinished twice, but most cannot be refinished any more than that. If your bathtub has already been re-refinished, you may need to consider other options for bathroom remodeling.
However, like a newly manufactured bathtub, a refinished surface can be chipped or scratched if it is abused. No surface lasts forever. Even porcelain will become dull and worn after 20 years with normal use. Similarly, our finish on your bathtub may lose some of its gloss and shine at some point.
Tile reglazing costs $4 to $12 per square foot or $300 to $1,200 for an average bathroom, tub, and surrounding shower tiles. Reglazing a master bathroom or kitchen costs $400 to $3,000 on average. DIY tile refinishing kits cost $50 to $200 on average.
Clean Surface after it Has Set
Despite precautionary measures, dust particles may collect on top of the newly finished surface. Whether it's a bathtub, vanity or tile, use a gentle home cleanser and a non-corrosive sponge to wipe off the dirt. You'll be left with a shining and pristine surface!
Reglazing can help remove all the stains, fill in the chips, and make it look spotless! Reglazing can remove rust spots, and prevent further deterioration, bring back its long-lost luster. Compared to replacement jobs, reglazing comes at a significantly lower cost.
On your refinished surfaces Magic Eraser sponges will wear down the material and wreck the shine making them appear flat or opaque. They will also leave swirls on the tub finish because they are essentially sand paper, this will lead to material cracking and eventually peeling after prolonged use.
Even though your tub has fully and properly cured, the surface of your newly reglazed bathtub can chip when your tub is subjected to a great amount of force. This commonly happens when you accidentally drop a heavy item onto the tub.
The materials used in reglazing your tub were not meant to withstand force of this type. This can cause peeling or other damage, and could void your warranty. Stay away from acidic cleaners, even natural ones. These include bleach and ammonia.
Bathtub Reglazing Cons
Reglazing is not a DIY job. Bathtub reglazing is not an easy task to do yourself, the proper handling of chemicals requires an experienced person with extended training. You must wait hours to use the bathtub. The reglaze must dry completely for you to use it.
Many cleaners on the market are too abrasive or contain chemicals that will damage the tub's finish. It is best to stick with cleaners like Formula 409 (without bleach), Lysol Basin Tub & Tile Cleaner, Scrubbing Bubbles, or Liquid Ajax. Another option is to use liquid dish soap like Dawn or Ivory.
Refinished bathtubs can be a bit more slippery than your original bathtub surface.
The answer is yes, you can reglaze a tub. You have the option of hiring a professional or doing it yourself. It doesn't matter if you hire someone or tackle the project on your own, the process is the same. And the time it takes to refinish is the same, about 3 – 4 hours.
How long does it take to refinish a bathtub? A standard size bathtub, in reasonable condition, takes only 3 to 5 hours to refinish. The tub will typically be ready to use within 24 hours, or even sooner with special curing procedures.