Porcelain (Ceramic) Tub Refinishing
“Porcelain tub” and “ceramic tub” are two names for the same thing: a hard, smooth enamel surface fired onto a metal tub underneath. Over the years that enamel goes dull, picks up stains it won’t release, chips, or develops a fine web of hairline cracks. Instead of tearing the tub out, our pour-on reglazing rebuilds the surface — a smooth white finish, done in one visit, with no solvent fumes.
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Steel or cast iron? Your porcelain tub is one of the two
Almost every porcelain tub in New York is enamel fired over one of two metals — and the building usually tells you which. Prewar buildings almost always have their original cast-iron tubs: deep, heavy, with enamel that has lasted for decades. Postwar buildings and most renovations use pressed-steel tubs — lighter and thinner, but finished with the same enamel surface.
We reglaze both the same way, for the same $435 starting price (tax included), with the same 24-hour turnaround — but it helps to know which one you have:
- Tap the side. Cast iron answers with a low, solid thud; steel sounds higher and slightly hollow.
- Check the weight. A cast-iron tub won’t budge; a steel tub can shift slightly if pushed.
- Look at a chip. On steel, a chip exposes gray metal that quickly rusts orange.
You have a steel tub?
You have a cast-iron tub?
Not sure? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you in a minute.
Why refinishing beats replacing a porcelain tub
Replacing a porcelain tub in New York is rarely just “buy a new tub.” The old one has to be broken up or hauled out — a cast-iron tub can weigh 300+ pounds — and the tile around it and the drain hookup usually come with it. In a co-op or condo, that kind of work also means building paperwork before anyone touches a pipe. By the time it’s done, a new tub installed typically runs $2,000–$5,000+, and the bathroom is out of commission for days or weeks.
Reglazing skips all of it. The tub stays in place, the tile and plumbing stay untouched, and the work is done in one 3–4 hour visit — no demolition, no plumber, no dumpster. Bathtub reglazing starts at $435, tax included (see pricing), and the tub is ready to use in 24 hours.
A clean process with no solvent fumes
The coating contains no solvents, so there’s virtually no smell during the work or after it — you can stay home while we work. It’s low-VOC, and restoring the tub instead of replacing it keeps a few hundred pounds of metal out of a landfill.
What porcelain reglazing fixes
Porcelain almost always fails at the surface, not the structure. Reglazing is built for exactly these problems.
- Dull, chalky enamel that stays dull no matter how you clean it
- Hard-water and mineral stains that don’t scrub out
- Etching and roughness from years of abrasive cleaners
- Rust staining around the drain and overflow
- Chips in the enamel — repaired during prep (see Bathtub Chip Repairs)
- Crazing — the fine network of hairline cracks in older enamel
If the tub is structurally sound, all of these are surface issues — exactly what reglazing is for. If rust has eaten through the metal or the tub flexes, we’ll tell you honestly when replacement is the smarter move.
Hi, I'm Artem.
When you book with New York Tubs, you aren't getting a random sub-contractor. You're getting a master refinisher with over a decade of experience.
For over a decade I've worked in tub refinishing, and I've personally refinished hundreds of tubs — every job done by me, start to finish. My reputation is built on durable, long-lasting results, a clean process with no solvent fumes, and full respect for your home.
- 10+ Years of Professional Experience
- Fully Licensed & Insured
- Backed by a 5-Year Warranty
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BEFORE
Bathtub Reglazing
- Pour-On Method — 10× thicker
- 5-year written warranty
- Ready in 24 hours
- Cast iron & steel only
- Odorless
Additional Services
Why the Pour-On Method Wins — Every Time
| Criteria | Traditional Spray-On Method | OUR METHOD Pour-On Application |
|---|---|---|
| Typical lifespan | 1-3 years |  10-15 years |
| On-Site Work Time | ~5 hours | 3-4 hours |
| Coat thickness | 10 mils | 60–100 mils (up to 10× thicker) |
| Odor during work | Strong solvent smell, lingers | No solvent smell |
| 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. |
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a porcelain tub and a ceramic tub?
None — two words for the same thing. “Porcelain” (or “ceramic”) is the enamel surface fired onto the metal tub underneath, usually steel or cast iron.
Is my tub steel or cast iron?
Tap it (cast iron thuds, steel sounds hollow) and try to move it (cast iron is far heavier). Either way the finish and the price are the same — send us a photo and we’ll confirm.
Can you fix chips, stains, and crazing?
Yes. We repair chips, treat any rust, and prepare the surface so the new coating bonds correctly. The pour-on finish then covers stains and the fine crazing in the old enamel.
What material is used?
A pour-on coating developed for bathtub restoration. It contains no solvents, so there are no solvent fumes during or after the work, and it’s low-VOC. It levels itself into a thick, smooth layer — 30–40 mils, several times thicker than a sprayed finish.
Will the tub be white?
Yes — we finish in a clean white.
How long does it take, and when can I use the tub?
About 3 hours on site, sometimes up to 4. The tub is ready to use in 24 hours.
How long does the finish last?
With normal care, 10–15 years.
Can a porcelain tub be reglazed again later?
Yes. If the previous finish was applied properly, it can be redone when needed. If an old job was done poorly, we prep it first.
Is this a DIY project?
No. A finish that lasts depends on proper prep, the right materials, and technique — best left to a pro.
Caring for a reglazed porcelain tub
- Use a soft sponge and a mild, non-abrasive liquid cleaner (Dawn or Simple Green)
- Rinse and wipe down after use so soap scum doesn’t build up
- Treat any chip early, before moisture gets under the finish
- No abrasive powders (Comet), scouring pads, or bleach-based products
- No suction-cup mats — they trap water against the surface
Before and after
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One method — pour-on, self-leveling coating — applied to the tubs New York apartments actually have.
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What You Get✓ One visit, ready in 24 hours✓ 5-year written warranty✓ Licensed & fully insured