Buying a new thing is not always a good way out. Sometimes, it makes more sense to renovate or repair what you have. For example, when it comes to a bath that is too bulky and heavy, its replacement is too expensive and time-consuming to abandon the idea of restoration. Fortunately, modern methods and materials make it possible to make almost any bath hygienic, aesthetic, and pleasant to use.
The old bathtubs which have been in service for many years and even decades are usually made of cast iron or steel. This is thick, durable, and reliable metal is almost impossible to be damage, however, the top enamel coating of the tub is not nearly as reliable.
Therefore, when it comes to the restoration of a bathtub, it means the reglazing or refinishing of the enamel covering its inner surface. Today, there are three ways to get a smooth, uniformly white, and glossy finish: re-enamel or refinishing, installing an acrylic bathtub liner, and reglazing with liquid acrylic.
Spray-On or Pour-On Application?
Enameling is the coating of a prepared bath surface with epoxy enamel. This two-component paint has a dense structure. It is applied in a thick layer which can correct enamel defects such as dark and rusty spots, loss of smoothness, and gloss.
This renewal method was popular in the past and is still relevant due to two key benefits. You can carry out work the repair process yourself, and the price of the material itself is very affordable. Bathtub enameling is very affordable; therefore, it is often used to renovate a bathroom with minimal investment.
However, the low price is almost the only advantage of this method. Epoxy enamel cannot provide a permanent, long-lasting restoration effect. If the bathtub is actively used, then such a repair will last for a year at best. You should not consider re-enamel as a restoration method if the tub not only has cosmetic defects but also deeper damages.
Chips, cracks, and detachments create irregularities on the bathtub surface, and filling them with enamel will not fix the problem.
The re-enamel process is a conventional finishing process that takes place with a roller or brush. These tools can leave traces of lint, and the viscous consistency of the material does not give a perfectly flat, uniform, and smooth finish.
Epoxy enamel cannot be called a material with modern characteristics. It should be applied in several layers, and it will take 5-7 days to wait for the surface to dry completely. All this time, the bathroom will not be able to be used, and there will be a pungent smell of paint in the room.
Bottom line: bathtub enamel can be considered as an option for an inexpensive cosmetic repair in an apartment that is temporarily empty. In other cases, it is better to consider other options.
| Spray-On Application | Pour-On Application | |
| Lifetime |  1-3 years |
 7-15 years |
| Same Day Service? | 2-3 days |
Yes |
| Working Process | from 5 hours |
3-4 hours |
| Odorless | no |
yes |
| Drying Time | 2 days |
24 hours |
| COST | from $259 | from $259 |
Bathtub Liner Installation
A tub liner is a durable acrylic-coated plastic product that is made to fit your bath and is designed to be inserted and glued to the interior surface.
This method is also called "bathtub insert". The undoubted advantage of this repair method is that, regardless of the initial state of the bathtub, the outcome is an ideal acrylic bath.
Installation a tub liner takes place quite quickly if an experienced and diligent craftsman takes on the job. After such repair, it will be possible to use the bathroom the very next day, which is very convenient for residential apartments. Also, the service life of the bathtub can reach 15-20 years, provided careful handling and proper care.
The main success factor when repairing a tub with an acrylic insert is the level of professionalism of the craftsman. The method is really good only if the technique is strictly adhered to with the smallest nuances.
Installation errors will inevitably lead to liner breakage. At the same time, the cost of such repairs is significantly higher in comparison with other methods.
| Bathtub Liner | Pour-On Application | |
| Lifetime | up to 5 years |
more than 15 years |
| Same Day Service? | 2-3 days |
Yes |
| Working Process | from 2 days |
3-4 hours |
| Removing Tiles | Required |
No |
| COST (from) | $699 | $259 |
Bathtub Restoration With Liquid Acrylic
Pour-on application method using liquid acrylic combines efficiency, affordability, and durability, therefore it has an increasing number of supporters both among professional craftsmen and among consumers.
Bathtub are reglazed with a layer of polymer material with high strength and adhesion rates.
Liquid acrylic forms a perfectly smooth layer with an intense glossy shine and uniform color, by adhering to the previously prepared surface. This material not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also durable and resistant to all kinds of damage.
Tub restoration by pour-on application method can be carried out in residential apartments since it does not create inconvenience for a long time. The working process itself takes about 3 hours, and the solidification of the material takes about 24 hours. It depends on the temperature in the room.
An important advantage of the method is its safety and environmental friendliness. Composition is almost odorless, does not emit toxins, and is harmless to all family members.
All stages of work take place on the installed bathtub and do not require dismantling or damage to the finishing elements.
Any bathtub can be restored to its new state this way. Sizes, shapes, degrees of wear do not matter. Refinishing and resurfacing by pour-on application method will be equally successful on an old cast iron tub from a bygone era as well as a modern hot tub.
Subject to the choice of high-quality certified material and the work of a skilled experienced craftsman, the result of the restoration will be aesthetically flawless, and the service life of the bath will be about 7-15 years.
Reviews
5.0/5
Jamie GIn addition to all the advantages of liquid acrylic, the affordable cost, and the ability to get different shades by tinting, you get a modern material for tub refinishing with ideal characteristics.
