Porcelain (Ceramic) Tub Refinishing

Porcelain & ceramic

“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.

AFTER

BEFORE

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The metal underneath

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?

See Steel Tub Refinishing →

You have a cast-iron tub?

See Cast Iron Tub Refinishing →

Not sure? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you in a minute.

Refinish vs replace

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.

Solvent-free

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 we fix

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.

Meet Your Porcelain Tub Refinishing Expert

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
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Fully Licensed & Insured
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Backed by a 5-Year Warranty

Founder & Lead Technician

Professional Reglazing Services & Pricing

AFTER

BEFORE

Our Signature Service

Bathtub Reglazing

Pour-On Method — 10× thicker
5-year written warranty
Ready in 24 hours
Cast iron & steel only
Odorless

Starting at:

$475

*tax included

GET A QUOTE

Additional Services

Caulking

Free with bathtub service

Distance surcharge

Travel fee $25–$60 for some areas — free in Brooklyn

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.

Good to know

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.

Aftercare

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

Our work

Before and after

VIEW ALL PHOTOS

Reviews

What our customers say

Excellent ★★★★★ 5.0 | 111 reviews

Write a review

Potato turtle

★★★★★3 hours ago

Rated 5 stars, no comment.

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you so much for the 5-star rating! It was a pleasure working with you — enjoy the fresh new tub.

Raymond BalchiLocal Guide · 54 reviews · 4 photos

★★★★★1 week ago

Very satisfied with the job that Artem did. He arrived right on time and he said it would take him 3 hours and at the end of 3 hours he was cleaning up and ready to go and everything was done. I love that the pour on method doesn't give a lot of fumes and the finished product looks beautiful my tub looks brand new. I can highly recommend him.

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you, Raymond! Glad you noticed the pour-on method — no spray means almost no fumes, and that's exactly why I work this way. Three hours, cleaned up, and a tub that looks brand new is the goal on every job. Enjoy it, and thanks for the recommendation!

— Artem, New York Tubs

ricky smith5 reviews

★★★★★3 weeks ago

New york tubs did a great job .Thete was a little spot on the tub drain and he came right back and cleaned it off plus he installed a new strainer basket over thst drain free of charge. Would definitely recommend

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you, Ricky! Coming back to sort out a small detail is just part of standing behind the work — we'd rather make the trip than leave you with anything less than right. Glad the new strainer finished it off nicely. Enjoy the tub!

Gustavo Lopez3 reviews · 2 photos

★★★★★4 weeks ago

A job well done! My tub looks great again. Highly recommended. Artem showed up in time, the job was finished in the amount time promised and there was no debris to clean up because the took care of that. All in all a great experience. Thank you👍

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you so much for the kind words, Gustavo! We're glad your tub looks great again — the before and after photos say it all. Enjoy your new tub, and don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything.

Paul4 reviews

★★★★★4 weeks ago

Hi! Just wanted to drop my very good feedback about NYTubs! Artem has revitalized my bath tub in 3 hours. I also asked to refine the joints between the tub and the walls and the floor. And the joints now look real good! Thank you! My experience was def awesome!

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you, Paul! Glad you mentioned the joints — fresh caulking makes a huge difference next to a new finish, and it's often the detail that gets overlooked. Happy the whole bathroom came together for you. Enjoy the tub!

— Artem, New York Tubs

Lily Manet6 reviews · 2 photos

★★★★★1 month ago

I had a great experience with Artem. He did an amazing job reglazing my bathtub, and it looks fantastic. He was professional, friendly, and punctual. The entire experience was smooth, and I really appreciated his attention to detail and professionalism. I highly recommend Artem to anyone looking to have their bathtub reglazed. Thank you for the excellent work!

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you so much, Lily! It was a real pleasure working with you. Attention to detail is where the whole result lives in this kind of work, so it means a lot that you noticed. Enjoy the tub, and thank you for the recommendation!

— Artem, New York Tubs

V L7 reviews · 1 photo

★★★★★1 month ago

I like the new look of my bathtub. Artem did an excellent job.

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you so much! Glad you love the new look — it was a pleasure working on your tub. Enjoy it!

— Artem, New York Tubs

İdris Karaburun1 review

★★★★★1 month ago

Rated 5 stars, no comment.

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you, İdris! We really appreciate the 5-star rating.

Dom Dibrino3 reviews · 4 photos

★★★★★2 months ago

They were great. Clean professional. Didn’t even know they were there. Second time using the service. The tub comes out brand new !

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you, Dom! Having you back for a second tub is the best compliment we could ask for. Clean, quiet, and out of your way — that's how we like to work. Thanks for trusting us with your properties!

Janet2 reviews

★★★★★2 months ago

I am very pleased with the process and the work that was done. They were prompt on the day of service and even followed up with care instructions.

I would definitely use them again!

↳ Owner's reply

Thank you, Janet! Showing up on time and making sure you know how to care for the new finish are both part of doing the job right. We'd be happy to work with you again anytime — enjoy the tub!

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