Bathtub Reglazing in New York City
Up to $100 off – valid only until
- Lasts up to 15 years
- 5-year warranty
- fast drying 24 hours
- odorless
Bathtub Refinishing (Reglazing) in New York
We refinish bathtubs in apartments and homes across New York City. Our pour-on method restores the original look of a porcelain or cast-iron tub in one visit — no demolition, no plumbing work, and no overnight fumes.
Refinishing makes sense when the tub is structurally sound but cosmetically worn: chips, scratches, dull or yellowed enamel, stubborn stains, or hard-water damage.
Replacing a bathtub in a New York apartment usually means a week of bathroom downtime, tile work, and — in a co-op — a building permit and a certificate of insurance. Refinishing takes about three hours and costs a fraction of a full replacement.
The pour-on method is different from the spray-on refinishing that most US contractors offer. Spray coatings are thin — roughly 6 mils — and tend to wear through within one to three years. A pour-on coat is several times thicker, self-levels into a smooth, glossy finish, and holds up to daily use. With normal care, it will last 10 to 15 years.
New York Tubs has been refinishing tubs in New York since 2005. We’re based in Brooklyn and work across Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and parts of Staten Island. Licensed and insured; COIs available on request for co-ops and condos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bathtub refinishing?
Refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of a bathtub rather than replacing the fixture. We sand the existing enamel down to a clean, smooth substrate, then apply a new coat of liquid polymer that self-levels into a glossy finish. The result looks and feels like a new tub.
Is refinishing better than replacing my tub?
It depends on the condition of the tub. If the body is cracked through or the cast iron is rusted from the back, it needs to be replaced. If the damage is on the surface — chips, scratches, discoloration, stains — refinishing is almost always the more practical choice. It’s faster (one day vs. about a week), cheaper (roughly 20–30% of the cost of replacement), and doesn’t require touching the tile or plumbing.
What material do you use?
An epoxy-based liquid polymer developed specifically for bathtub refinishing. It’s poured onto the surface rather than sprayed, which lets it self-level into a thicker, more durable finish. It’s low-odor and doesn’t release solvents once cured.
How long does the work take?
Most jobs take about three hours on site. Complicated tubs — heavy damage, unusual shapes, or full shower surrounds — can take up to four. The coating then needs about 24 hours to cure before the tub can be used.
How long does the finish last
With normal care, 10 to 15 years. The pour-on coat is several times thicker than a sprayed finish and doesn’t peel or chip the same way. We back the work with a 5-year warranty.
Can a bathtub be reglazed more than once?
Yes. If the previous coat is still bonded to the tub and not failing, we can refinish directly over it. If the old surface is peeling or was poorly applied, we strip it first and prep the cast iron before the new coat.
Do I need a bath mat?
The coating has a slight micro-texture and isn’t as slippery as a bare enamel surface, so most clients don’t use a mat. If you’d rather have one, take it out between uses so the surface can dry — suction mats left in place can eventually soften any bathtub finish, including factory enamel.
Is this a DIY project?
Honestly, no. The coating is easy to ruin — dust in the air, wrong mixing ratio, wrong ambient temperature, or rushing the prep all show up as visible defects that can’t be fixed without stripping and starting over. The material also isn’t sold at retail.
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, Zelle, or personal check with no fees. Credit cards carry a 3% processing fee.
Why Reglaze Your Bathtub?
Turnovers for landlords
Rent-ready in 24 hours. If you're flipping a unit between tenants, refinishing keeps the bathroom in service without scheduling a full renovation.
Apartment-friendly work
No demolition, no plumbing, no dust in the hallway. We use containment and a vacuum-assisted sander during prep, and we leave the bathroom cleaner than we found it.
Safe to stay home
The material is low-VOC and low-odor. You can be in the apartment during the work, and the bathroom is back in use the next morning.
- Premium Pour-On Method
- Ready in 24 hours
- Odorless
- Premium Pour-On Method
- Ready in 24 hours
- Odorless
- Premium Pour-On Method
- Ready in 24 hours
- Odorless
Additional Services
| SERVICE | COST |
Caulking |
Free with bathtub service |
Distance surcharge |
Travel fee for certain areas (e.g., Manhattan $25–$60). |
Why the Pour-On Method Wins — Every Time
| CRITERIA | Traditional Spray-On Method | Pour-On Application (Our Method) |
| Typical lifespan | 1-3 years |  10-15 years |
| On-Site Work Time | ~5 hours | 3-4 hours |
| Coat thickness | 1/160 = 0.15mm | Several times thicker |
| Odor during work | Strong solvent smell, lingers | Mild, clears within hours |
| VOC content | High | Low |
| Safe to stay home | No — residents usually vacate | Yes |
| Ready to Use | ~48 Hours | 24 hours |
| Long-Term Value | Spray-on has a lower up-front cost, but the coating usually needs to be redone every couple of years. | A pour-on coat lasts long enough that most clients replace or sell the tub before the finish needs to be redone. |
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Special Limited Time Offer14
days 13
hours 48
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To Get an Estimate or to Schedule Work
Why The Pour-On Method Works
We’ve been using the pour-on method since 2013. Over those years, across thousands of New York apartments, it’s proven to be the most reliable way to restore a bathtub without replacing it. Here’s why we use it and why our clients keep choosing it over a full renovation.
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Lasts 10–15 years. A properly applied pour-on coat is several times thicker than a sprayed finish. It bonds tightly to cast iron and porcelain, doesn’t peel, and holds up to daily use. With normal care, you won’t need to think about the tub again for over a decade.
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No demolition, no plumbing. The tub stays in place. The tile stays in place. The plumbing isn’t touched. The whole job is done in one visit, in about three hours, and the bathroom is back in normal use the next day. A full tub replacement in a New York apartment usually takes a week or more and costs several times as much.
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Low odor, safe to stay home. The material is low-VOC and doesn’t release the harsh solvent smell that spray-on coatings do. There’s a mild odor during the work itself, but it clears within a couple of hours. Family and pets can stay in the apartment — just keep the bathroom door closed during the 24-hour cure.
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A fraction of the cost of replacement. Refinishing typically costs about a third of what a full tub replacement runs once you factor in the new tub, plumbing, tile work, and labor. For most clients, that’s the deciding factor.
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When you’re ready, send us a few photos of your tub and your zip code through the form below. We’ll send back a quote and a few open dates within the next few hours. Most jobs get scheduled within the same week.
