I know I have been putting it off for ages but I finally knew that I had to tackle my bathtub refinishing project head on. Maybe it’s because the new year is approaching or maybe it’s because I feel stressed out that my bathtub isn’t looking how it should ideally be but the passion for this endeavor was never so desparately re-ignited.
I think the hugest selling point for me was the fact that it was cheaper than bathtub liners. The bathtub doesn’t need to be covered over completely or even dismantled and uninstalled; it just needs a bit of touch ups here and there. You know how when you have facial peels, you get rid of that layer of dead skin and gunk that sits on your face making you look older than you are? That’s kind of what happens in bathtub refinishing.
After I prepped by protecting the area around my bathtub with dropcloths to prevent any paint from getting outside, I started on the nitty gritty. First, I thoroughly cleaned the surface of my old style bathtub to get rid of the soap deposits. Then I applied a cleaning solution that is supposed to rough the surface of the tub. After this, I put on a primer reducer, which is a solvent that removes any remaining soap residue and prepares the bathtub for the primer. I filled in all the nicks and cracks with a putty and allowed it to dry. Once it was dry, I was ready to paint the tub. The base coat goes on first and is a rather toxic substance, so make sure you have gloves and a mask on. According to the directions, mix the primer well and use a spray gun to apply it to the bathtub. After you are sure the primer is ready to be painted over again, apply the top coat. Because the top coat will take about 2-3 days to completely cure, you will have to wait to use your newly reglazed bath tub but trust me, the wait is worth it!
