Bathtub Paint and Refinishing Advice

Painting your tub is often suggested as a cheap way to upgrade your bathrooms appearance. Whilst this is true, it can have some big down sides.

Let us first cover the benefits. By painting your own tub you are able to completely customise the style and look of your bathtub paint. If you have a particularly styled bathroom, it is easy to match your bathtub paint to its surroundings when you have complete control over the painting. It allows you to indulge your own creativity, and truly create an individual work of art. Bathtub paint is extremely cheap, do it yourself bathtub paint kits can be purchased for under $50 and depending on your painting speed, you could have the work completed in less than a day.

Now for the down sides. The major problem reported by people who have bathtub paint is that the paint peels, and peels fast. Sometimes in just a matter of weeks, your newly painted tub can be left looking awful, as much of your hard work has peeled off. Whilst many of the bathtub paints are supposedly anti peel, this problem still persists. If you are considering painting your bathtub, you must ensure that you have treated the bath prior to painting with an anti peel coating, as well as after painting. Doing this can prevent the peeling from occurring, but it is not guaranteed.

Even if your bathtub paint survives peeling, the newly painted surface has poor durability. It will chip easily, and will fade with cleaning. Within a short space of time, your bathtub paint can look very shabby indeed. You also run the risk of the final product not looking good simply because your own painting skills are lacking. Be honest with yourself. Are you a good bathtub painter?

Overall, it is generally recommended that you consider other alternatives such as installing bathtub surrounds, liners, or resurfacing your bathtub. Only consider bathtub paint yourself if you have relevant experience, the correct equipment, and are confident that the outcome will avoid the listed pitfalls.

Most persons would love to have a big master bathroom that they can decorate, however this is not the reality in the case of many persons. Many persons live in apartments, town homes and certain homes tend to have at least one bathroom which is normally small. This could either be the quest bathroom, hall bathroom or even the master bathroom. Regardless of its location there are a few bathroom renovation ideas that you can use to make it appear bigger, as no one enjoys having to feel cramped in a small and cluttered bathroom.

The Walls: Paint your walls in a light colour using a modest pattern. This tends to make the bathroom look bigger than if you were to use a solid colour. The pattern can be achieved by using wall paper that is patterned or using a faux finish. Ensure that the background is very light with the patterns being only a little darker.

Ceiling and Trims: Most persons tend to forget the ceiling, but if you were to give this a nice fresh coating of white bathtub paint you would see what a different it makes. Also bath tub paint all your trimmings in white and if you desire include a white crown moulding to make the room appear longer and bigger.

The Floor: Light coloured flooring will definitely help you to achieve you goal. As a result, if you plan on using ceramic tiles, go for those which are medium in size for example around 6 – 8 inches that has a simple pattern and of course a light shade as smaller tiles can help to make the room seem small. If your budget cannot cover you changing your flooring, you could use a large light coloured area rug to cover up your dark flooring if this is your case.

Lighting: Lighting fixtures can have a huge impact on how big your bathroom appears. It is therefore best for you to use skylights which will provide a nice wide natural light to the entire room. Also consider removing your bathroom window curtains and replacing them with simple window valence that makes the windows visible. For a brighter and more natural light use only CFL bulbs, these are also very energy efficient and so will also help to lower your energy bill. You may want to avoid fixtures that protrude out into the room and just use recessed lighting.

Cabinet and Fixtures: You will need to limit the number of fixtures and cabinet as much as possible. This may require of you to get really creative with storage. It’s best to use glass selves, floor baskets for storing towels and a pedestal sink. Adding mirrors will aid in light reflection and help to make the room look bigger. In addition, using glass shower doors or clear shower curtains will also help in achieving your desired look. If cabinets are a must ensure that they are bathtub paint white.

Finally try to minimize your wall decorations to one or two at most. Only use light coloured decorations, dark colours may be used but in moderation. Use these few bathroom renovation tips to make your bathroom seem bigger.

In the bathroom ceramic tile is usually the preferred wall covering. Tiles cope very well with the high moisture content and associated humidity in this room. In fact any covering that is completely water resistant such as glass, metal, stone or tiles will work but some of these options are better than others. Steel covered walls might look cool in a trendy nightclub but will look out of place in most homes.

Tiling involves a lot of work. You cannot just slap a couple of tiles on the wall and hope for the best. A bathroom ceramic tile can only be put onto a smooth surface so you may have to prepare the original wall by adding some plaster or other suitable covering. You may also need to cut some tiles depending on the chosen design and the size of the space. Finally you will have to grout your work. If you use unglazed ceramic tiles you may also have to cover the space with a special sealant so give yourself plenty of time to work on this project.

If you want to keep costs to a minimum you can add tiles to those surfaces that immediately surround the sink and other water features in the room such as the bath and shower. You can then bath tub paint the remainder of the walls. Just don’t choose emulsion bath tub paint as it will crack very quickly. For longer lasting coverage always opt for a bathtub paint designed for bathrooms or kitchens i.e. one capable of dealing with a wet environment and frequent temperature changes. It may be slightly more expensive initially but it will work out cheaper in the end as it will last far longer. The bathroom ceramic tile color should be chosen with care, white tiles provide a fresh clean look.

Customized bathroom remodeling can be done very creatively given the vast variety of choices that are available these days. An astonishing amount of information is available for you to access; like magazines, books, and websites on the internet to show you some examples of completed bathrooms.

A bathroom remodeling guide is a good choice to begin looking for innovative ideas and new custom bathroom features. Once you have an idea of the basics you can prepare your bathroom remodeling project. This in turn saves you from possible future complications which can happen if you are not well informed about the fundamentals of custom bathroom remodeling,

Take a look at as many pictures as you can so you can have a better idea of what kind of bathroom you want for yourself. In fact, innumerable resources on the internet have lots of designs of all kinds for you to see and you can do this all sitting in the comfort of your house without having the need to go anywhere. You can even take a peek into the houses of your friends who have got their bathrooms renovated recently. All these and other options will help you find the ideal design for your bathroom that meets all your requirements.

Once you decided what to do, you can start off with the two most important units of your bathroom which are the bathtub/shower and the tile. The bathtub/shower is usually the focal point of your bathroom remodeling project and so you should build everything else around the bathtub/shower. This is not always the case. You need to decide what is the most important item in the bathroom to you then you can design the bathroom around that item. It could be the vanity, vanity top bath tub paint lights and etc.

If you do design a bathroom with a bathtub it is always a good idea to have a step-down for your bathtub when remodeling your bathroom. It can be done by having a few tiles step-down from the edge of you bathtub to the ground level and match those tiles. Getting a professional advice in this case is advisable as you can have many creative ideas and customized unique patterns for your bath area.

You can even find templates online which guide you about the implementation of how to set up and do the tiles. In this way, you can have your own personal style of bathtub and matching tiles in your bathroom. You can even have matching lights and other fixtures which add charm and resplendence to your bathroom.

More and more people are removing the bathtub and installing a custom shower instead. This custom shower can have a shower bench inset shower shelves custom tile, body sprays and etc.

The extent of the bathroom design will be based on your budget size of the bathroom age of the home and of course personal taste. By simply giving it a good thought, you can follow the simple outline for designing and assembling your bathroom which in turn assist in you in shaping a bathroom which can live up to your expectations. So all you need to do is follow this technique which will make custom bathroom remodeling seem a leisurely task that anyone can do with the slightest of inconveniences.

Many people love cats and enjoy decorating with cat-themed items, but cat-themed bathroom items are not always easy to find. Visit the bathroom decor section of any discount store and you will find items ranging from lighthouses to frogs, but bathroom items in a cat theme are a bit more difficult to find. You really do not have to buy ready-made cat decor when decorating a bathroom. Here you will discover a number of fun and creative ways to decorate a bathroom in a cat theme, and you will not have to spend a small fortune in the process.

Creative Shower Curtain Ideas

Shower curtains embellished with cat graphics are not easy to find, but designer shower curtains are not necessary when decorating a bathroom in a cat theme. Buy a plain cotton fabric shower curtain, and use a rubber stamp and ordinary latex craft bathtub paint to create realistic paw prints. Search the rubber stamp aisle of a local craft store and you will find dozens of rubber stamps that can be used to made a personalized shower curtain. Further embellish stamped kitties of various colors by gluing on small jewels for eyes. Stamp dozens of cats of various colors and patterns, and give each one a pair of sparkling eyes and a jewel encrusted collar. The options are only limited by your imagination when decorating with rubber stamps.

Wooden Wall Decor

When decorating a bathroom and searching for wall decor in a cat theme, delve into your creative side and consider bathtub paint wooden cutouts to hang on walls. Craft stores offer cutouts of all shapes and sizes, and simple wooden cat cutouts are very inexpensive. You do not have to be an artist to create impressive decor. Simply bathtub paint the background a solid color using latex craft bathtub paint and after the bathtub paint dries add facial features. Create a calico cat by bathtub paint the background white and sponge bathtub paint random patches of black, orange, and brown. Even those without artistic ability can create impressive wall decor using ready-made wooden cutouts.

Easy Handmade Mirror Decals

Peel and stick decals are rather expensive, and although cat decals are available, the options are very few. Continue the paw print theme by creating prints for the mirror using peel and stick shelf paper. Select adhesive shelf paper in a color of your choice, and stamp paw print designs onto the paper. Cut out the paw print shapes using craft scissors, and stick them to the bathroom mirror. This cute theme can be continued on the door or even along the wall if desired.

Create an Easy Kitty Collage

Those on a low decorating budget can make a creative and highly decorative kitty collage using ordinary magazine cutouts, cardstock, and a simple mat frame. Locate pictures of cats and kittens in magazines, and carefully cut out the photos. Apply several pictures to a sheet of cardstock. Overlap the pictures to fill in the entire sheet, and make sure the edges are in place. Allow the collage to dry completely before attaching a simple mat frame.

These are just a few fun and creative ways to decorate a bathroom in a cat theme. Look for simple ways to incorporate fun and decorative cat graphics into your bathroom scheme. When decorating with rubber stamps, wooden cutouts, latex bathtub paint and peel and stick shelf paper, the options are truly endless.

Beautiful shower door enclosures add a touch of class to a simple bathroom by anchoring the room and directing light. They not only serve functional and aesthetic purposes; they also increase the value of your home for resale purposes. No matter what your budget is, there is a wide variety of shower door glass available to fit your budget.

Before you purchase, it is always useful to get ideas from websites and catalogues. Get a feel of what is available in a particular price range. Also, consider what you’re looking for, whether it is a basic framed door, a frameless shower door enclosure, or an elaborate custom shower door enclosure. Besides, there are also different aspects you need to pay attention to when selecting.

Configuration

Look at the location of the shower or tub in the bathroom. The maximum weight of the glass supported by the walls is determined by the type of wall and supporting studs. Besides, it is strategic to ensure that the shower head will not spray water out the door when the door is open. You can ask an expert to evaluate the suitability of shower door enclosures to help you with this matter.

Ventilation

Shower enclosures which are too high in a low room will cause moisture to build up inside due to poor ventilation. This is an environment which causes bathtub paint to peel, and mold to grow. This is a big no-no especially if you have a sheetrock ceiling. Unless you are looking for a steam room, in which case special ventilation panels and kits can be installed.

Measurements

Enclosures that are not level or standard lengths will cost more in terms of materials and installation. An expert measurement will help you decide on the best shower door measurements.

For individuals who already have shower door installed, there are also shower glass replacement services available for those who wish to replace damaged or stained shower glass doors. If your current glass door does not have a good glass coating, you can also consider adding a layer of protection to prevent etching caused by water. When considering repair or replacement services, always find out the costs of each option in order to make the most cost-effective and long-lasting decision.

When your bathroom decorating project involves a limited space to work in, replacing an old vanity with a small bathroom vanity can help you free up space while you are working. There are several small vanities available to choose from, but you need to keep several things in mind when you are remodeling. Here are some tips to use when remodeling a small bathroom.

Tip #1 – Utilize the storage space in your vanity.

Often we forget to do the obvious. If your bathroom is small you will want to utilize the space you have. A small bathroom vanity that includes a cabinet under the sink can be used as storage for small items. Using this space for soap, bathroom tissue, cleansers, lotions, and even fresh towels is a great way to utilize the space.

Tip # 2 – Use Mirrors.

If you have a large mirror in your bathroom you will find that it makes the room appear larger. If you have a small mirror above the vanity exchange it for a larger mirror to give the room a more open, larger appearance.

Tip # 3 – Choose a small bathroom vanity that fits in the corner.

If you choose a corner vanity you can free up more space in your room. This space isn’t an optical illusion as with the mirror, this is actual floor space. There are several styles available that you can choose from.

Tip # 4 – Use light colored bathtub paints for your bathroom walls.

Using light colored bathtub paint or wallpaper on the walls will help to open out the room and make it a bit bigger. The light bathtub paint also helps to give the room a brighter, happier look. Your small vanity should match your bathroom. You can purchase one that already matches or take the time to bathtub paint the vanity as well as the walls to match each other.

Tip # 5 – Pedestal type vanities take less space.

If you are still trying to use less space, and you aren’t set on having the cabinet under your sink, then you can use a pedestal type small bathroom vanity. This type of vanity doesn’t have storage space but it does open the floor space up quite a bit.

Making the most of the space in a small bathroom is important. You don’t have to have a difficult time remodeling, even if you have limited space to work with. If you measure your vanity and make sure if will fit before you get too far ahead of yourself you should be able to remodel your small bathroom, and vanities are an excellent place to start when you are redecorating.

Going into a small bathroom remodeling project usually means a lot of work and a lot of money. And, if you’re like most folks, you want your bathroom remodeling ideas and efforts to produce some sort of “wow” response. A complete small bathroom makeover may be out of the question right now, but the room needs something! Maybe if you replaced that vanity, or turned the linen closet into a shower or added a few feet by knocking out the exterior wall.

Instead of replace and add, maybe the idea should be relax and lighten up. Simple is actually harder to do than complex. In other words, remodeling a small bathroom, especially a guest bath, for the illusion of more space could be much less of a project than what you may now have in mind… and, “less” could be about both money and work!

There are three things that pretty much have to stay where they are, unless you’re planning to spend lots of money. The sink/vanity, tub/shower and toilet, in that order of importance. That means when someone walks into the bathroom, they usually look at the sink/vanity first, then the tub and/or shower (especially if there’s some nice design element(s) or tile work) and finally the toilet, which is probably the reason for them walking in there in the first place!

So, let’s start with the toilet. Does it need replacing? Remember; its dead last in the popularity contest and most people can’t tell the difference between a $500 and a $100 toilet. The criteria for replacing it should be function, then. Is it an old twentieth century thing with a 3-plus gallon flush? If it is, and not working properly or leaks, you may want to replace it. But the good news is toilets are relatively easy to take out and put in. Search “replace toilet.” If its a newer, white, standard unit, though, hold off on replacing it until after you’ve explored other areas to remodel.

The tub is the most difficult to replace of the three and, like the toilet, if its white, works okay and is in good overall condition hold off on any thoughts of replacing it, as well. The three walls around the tub, however, is a different matter. You can buy pre-made polystyrene “tub surrounds” at the big boxes, plumbing supply stores and at some hardware retailers for around a hundred dollars and up. Tile-a beautiful way to surround your bathtub-comes in a wide, wide assortment of styles, colors and sizes, and tile work is fun. White to match the tub or light colors will bring the bathtub into the twentieth century and visually expand the room.

If you’re thinking about redoing the floor, consider using the same tile for both it and the tub surround. Maybe use matching smaller tiles for the floor molding or, if you’re using 12″ tiles, cut some in half and have a 6″ tile molding. The simplicity here will add visual space. Add an even lighter colored rug and the space will seem bigger and softer. Shower door or curtain? Either way, make sure the colors are light, translucent or… even clear, if you’ve done a great tile job. A simple larger-than-you-probably-first-thought-of mirror will add light and reflect all the great work you’ve done, as well!

The sink/vanity is the easiest and, by far the most used and noticed item in there. Here is where your remodeling budget should be open to ideas. To add floor space, get a pedestal sink. For even more space, a wall mounted sink. If you need the storage, a small white or soft, light colored vanity. If your vanity is okay, perhaps bathtub paint and a really wild vessel sink or some other unusual sink/countertop combination. This is where friends and guests will spend time, so maybe you should spend some money there. Wander around a few plumbing fixture retailers and big box home improvement stores.

Paint is always the first thing you should consider, though. Keep the “60-30-10 Rule” in mind when you buy bathtub paint fabrics or accessories. This means 60% dominant color (white or light in this instance), 30% secondary color (earth colors, pastels, etc.) and 10% accent color (something wild). This includes shower curtains, rugs and towels. Check the big boxes for discounted gallons that people returned. Sometimes, one person’s “too much” is another person’s “just right!” One wall-behind the mirror, for instance-will do.

Now is the time, if you’re just starting to plan, to take a fact-finding trip or two to the home improvement stores, plumbing retailers and the bath tub paint stores. Also, search online for “vessel sinks”, “cool vanities” or “bathroom mirror” for ideas. New products are being introduced all the time and many items are not only new and cool, but Earth-friendly, too!

Bathrooms are one of the smallest rooms in the house and they are also one the most costly to renovate. Bathroom renovation is a job that, if done well, can add value to a home and a great space full of design and light.

Bathroom design

Bathroom design is the first area of your bathroom renovation you need to get right. Just replacing the existing bathroom with the same design may not be enough. The key to great bathroom design is to design it with the people that are going to use it in mind. However be sure that your bathroom design also has a general use factor as well. For example: If you were designing a bathroom for families you could still design the bathroom with easy access to the shower and bath. This would ensure that the design would also work for people with limited mobility. This means if you decide to sell your home or if you are renovating for profit your design has a wider market appeal. Great bathroom design also uses the space well, taking into account the light or window space, size of fittings, and drainage options. Draw out a plan to scale and right down the sizes of your room. Mark the existing drainage points and then and water inlet points. Write down a wish list of the bathroom fittings to need and want with their sizes. Now marry the two together and see what fits. Note: Most bathroom drainage and water inlet points can be moved but this does come at extra cost.

Bathroom remodel

If you have decided to do the work yourself or part of the work it is time to hire a skip bin and pull out the old bathroom. If your home was made pre 1980 you may have fibro bathroom wall linings with asbestos in it and great care will need to be taken. You will need some full body disposable overalls, eye protection, and quality dust mask. Check with your local building authority or council regarding the regulation on bathroom asbestos wall lining removal.

Remove everything except the plumbing. If you keep the bathroom plumbing in place you will not have to turn the water off for the whole house. Also you will need to jack hammer the floor tiles up and the sand and cement bed that they are laid on.

Bathroom Renovation and construction

Bathrooms must be construction properly from the ground up to ensure that the finished job is correct and true. This also ensures the design and look of the bathroom will have a great finish

The Bathroom Renovation Process

1. Install water and drainage pipe and electrical wires.
2. Install wall lining and ceiling and then install the bath hob and bath.
3. Waterproof the floor and shower and bath recess.
4. Correct the fall of the floor with sand and cement ready for tiling.
5. Lay floor and wall tiles and then grout.
6. Install new bathroom vanity, fittings, and taps – install new electrical.
7. Paint ceiling and final clean.

Step one – Plumbing and electrical

At this point all new plumbing is installed for clean hot and cold water and drainage. Careful attention needs to be taken when positioning the new plumbing so that the plumbing fittings are correct when the tiling is finished. For example: To centre a fitting in a shower recess you must take into consideration the thickness of the wall board, tile glue and tile so the fitting will be centred after the tiles are in place. The same applies to installing drainage pipes for a toilet; the wall lining and tile thickness must be taken into account so the pipe is in the correct position when the toilet is installed after tiling. Also rough in the any new electrical wires without connecting them to the mains power.

Step two – Install wall and ceiling linings

Install your 6mm wall lining being careful to nail the fibro board every 150mm without nailing into the new pipes and electrical wires. The best way is to measure and mark the pipe and wire layout onto your new wall board with a pencil as you go. Screw up (or nail) the ceiling lining, plasterboard is the most common. However if you are laying your tiles from floor to ceiling do not install the cornice as this is best done after tiling. If you are not tiling to the ceiling go ahead and install the cornice after the wallboard and ceiling lining have been installed. Also if your bath is not freestanding you can now make up the frame and install the bath. Ensure the bath is installed correctly allowing for the thickness of the tiles and glue.Be sure to check all linings and pipes before you continue with your bathroom renovation.

Step three – Waterproof your bathroom

Waterproof your bathroom floor, shower recess, and around the bath. When waterproofing the floor ensure that the waterproofing comes 100mm up the walls. The shower recess will need to be waterproofed 100mm above the shower rose outlet. Also the bath should be waterproofed 100mm above the lip of the bath right around and to the floor. At the doorway install a 25 x 25mm aluminum angle glued into place with quality silicone and waterproof into the lip. Your whole bathroom should now the tanked, so the all water will only go down a drain. Bathroom waterproofing tip: waterproofing is an easy job but quality and accuracy is most important.

Step four – Lay in the cement screed for the floor.

Before the floor tiles can laid the floor must be smooth and fairly flat with a slight fall to the drainage outlet. To do this you must use sand and cement mix and it is best to add a waterproofing agent into this as well. With a level, set the floor level at the doorway. Use the top aluminum angle as the finished floor level and measure down the thickness of the tile plus 10mm for the glue. Mark right around the bathroom with a level and then screed in your sand and cement mix with a 1 to 3 degree fall to the top of the drain outlet. Take your time and get it right with the finished level as smooth as possible. When the sand cement mix has set but is not dry (you can walk on it but you it is still a bit soft) rub it over with a house brick. This will remove all the small highs and lows and check with a level as you go. Let the bathroom floor fully dry and then you should have a great surface to tile onto. Tip: the more work you put into the floor screed the easier your tiling will be.

Step five: Tile floor and walls

Lay your tiles on the floor first and then grout. Then lay your wall tiles making sure that they are level as you lay. Once the bathroom tiles have been cut and laid, grout all your tiles and then buff the tiles clean.

Step six: Install plumbing fitting and fixtures

Install all your plumbing fittings and taps. Also fit all your towel rails and soap holders. Fit your new bathroom vanity making sure it is level and sealed around the top with silicone and also seal around the bath. Tip: make sure they are in the right place before you drill into your tiles.

Step seven: bathtub paint and cleaning – enjoy

Paint your ceiling and do a final clean making sure everything is fitted correctly and that there are no leaks in your plumbing. – Enjoy your new bathroom.

If your bathtub has seen better days, you don’t have to buy a new one. Sure, you can also get a tub liner, or have bathfitters refinish your tub, but taking on bathtub repair yourself is a great option that can save you tons of money. What’s better is that it is not as difficult as you might think. I’ve done my own tub refinishing, so I have some experience with it, let me walk you through the steps.

To start off, you’ll want to clean the bathtub thoroughly. You can’t have any soap scum, oils, hard water deposits, etc on the tubs surface. This is important for two reasons. First, we’ll be sanding the tubs surface, and the contaminants will clog up your sandpaper, making your sanding ineffective, and second, if any remains left behind, the new coating won’t stick properly, resulting in an imperfect finish that may bubble or flake off. You can use any common household cleaners for this step, soap scum removers seem to do a decent job of helping cut through that nasty layer of residue. Scouring pads and stiff brushes will help with this process as well. Remember, the goal is to remove every bit of dirt and scum from the surface to have it as clean as you can possibly get it.

The next step is to prepare the surface. There are two common ways of doing this. One is to use sandpaper, and the other is to use an acid wash to ‘etch’ the surface. Sandpaper is the safer option, and works well on enamel and surfaces, but if you find sandpaper just isn’t cutting it, which can sometimes be the case with a porcelain tub, than an acid etch may be required.

Using sandpaper, we’re going to want to sand the entire surface of the tub. This is useful not only to eliminate any rough areas that might show through the new coating, but also to provide a good texture for the new coating to bond to. If you cleaned the tub well, this shouldn’t be to difficult. You can use most any type of sandpaper for this, but I find that wet/dry sandpaper works best as you can use water to help keep the paper clean of buildup or clogs. You don’t want the grit of the paper to be to heavy or it will leave scratches that are difficult to get out or cover, and you don’t want it to light, or it won’t do enough smoothing. 220 grit is a good level that won’t scratch too much, but will still get the job done. Sand the entire surface you wish to repair evenly until you don’t see a shine or ‘glaze’ anymore, and rinse away the dust, which should leave you with a very smooth, even surface to work with.

If sandpaper wasn’t working sufficiently, and there is still a gloss to the surface of your tub, then you’ll need to use an acid to etch it. Check your local hardware store or home improvement store for hydrofluoric or muriatic acid’. You’ll want to be careful with this, follow all directions and be sure to ventilate the room.

With the tub surface deglazed, you should patch any deep gouges or scratches in the tub. You can find bathtub repair kits at most hardware and home improvement stores. It is very similar to repairing a scratch on a car. Small scratches can be filled with ‘touch up bathtub paint designed for bathtubs or sinks. Deeper gouges will require a thicker polyester filler that is more putty like that can fill these larger spaces. Once they are filled and hardened, you simply sand that area to level them with the surroundings.

Now that the entire tub is smooth, it is important to clean it again. This time, use a rag and Acetone, which will cut through any greasy residue from fingerprints, and remove any left over dust that would prevent the finish coat from sticking properly. Once the tub has been cleaned thoroughly, be sure not to touch it anymore with bare skin or you’ll contaminate the surface which could ruin the final finish!

The final step is applying the finish coating. This will vary slightly depending on the kit you get. You’ll find bathtub refinishing kits at most hardware and home improvement stores, as well as online sites like amazon.com. Do it yourself kits generally will include a two-part epoxy that you mix together. Once mixed thoroughly, you evenly apply the finish to your tubs surface using a brush or roller, which are often included. You don’t have to be perfect. When you first apply it, you will see brush strokes, but those will quickly smooth out as the coating is self-leveling. If you are refinishing with the same color that the tub originally was, one coat should be sufficient. In my experience, I refinished a pink tub to make it white, and it required two applications to prevent being able to see the pink color through the finish.

Once you’ve finished, be sure to follow any directions on the kit on waiting time. Some kits will require a day or more before you can use the tub. You’ll also want to be a bit more careful about cleaning your newly refinished tub, as the new surface isn’t as durable and scratch resistant as the original surface. Still, once it has hardened properly, your finished bathtub repair can take a good beating and look good for many years to come.