Bathtub Refinishing Miracle - A Myth

Bathtub Refinishing Companies Step 1. Protect yourself It's important to become familiar with the sales pitches of various companies to fully benefit from my article.

Refinish Questions? Ask DC Foster Consumer Comments page. Have a complaint?

Learn which coating scored the highest in overall performance in the "What's New" section below.

I have been asked many times in my 37 years as a coatings developer about bathtub refinishing, bathtub reglazing, bathtub resurfacing, ceramic tile refinishing and countertop refinishing. Let me start off by saying that there is no difference between bathtub refinishing, bathtub resurfacing, bathtub painting or bathtub reglazing, they are the same. The main question that people ask is "does it work?"

The answer is yes and no. Refinishing is not based on a miracle, bathtub refinishing is based on sound chemistry and a meticulous method of preparation . Failure and success is about people skill and product quality. The people part is whether the technician has any real tried and proven experience. When you are dealing with a refinishing franchise operation you will often find that the technician has probably gone through a crash course in the process. It is very difficult to learn all there is to know and also become proficient in the physical application in a one or two week period.

Some of the aspects of bathtub refinishing can have some pretty serious consequences if not done properly. This is why it is important to be informed before you decide.

Refinishers use an acid etching agent to make the bathtub porous so that the paint will bond to the bathtub surface. This part of the process should employ a portable ventilating system which will exhaust the fumes outside the home. The etching solution usually contains hydrofluoric, phosphoric or hydrochloric acid. Acids may damage other surfaces if accidentally spilled or dripped onto them. Another key concern is the potential harm to pets and family if any of the spillage contacts the skin.

The bathtub refinisher then has to gear up for the refinishing coating or paint application which is usually sprayed on (I wouldn't trust someone who claims to use a roller or brush to apply the bathtub finish). The coatings are hazardous to breathe and people with asthma or respiratory conditions are quite vulnerable to exposure of these types of materials. Unfortunately, most of the water borne coatings are not adequate for the moist environment in a bathroom and this leaves the refinisher with few choices when it comes to coatings that will work.

Bathtub Liners should also be considered as a viable alternative to refinishing because they can be replaced if the bathtub liner fails. The draw back to Bathtub liners is they have a plastic appearance.

Ceramic Tile and tub Refinishing DIY Kits

I personally don't recommend DIY bathtub or tile refinishing kits due to the high failure rate and hazards associated with application. Once they begin to peel you have a big problem. The failed bathtub finish has to be stripped before refinishing again and if you have a professional refinisher do it the overall job cost will increase.

Types of coatings: Automotive coatings, paints and primers are usually not the best choice for tub refinishing but are commonly used and are typically re-labeled as " bathtub porcelain coating" and primer. The most effective in the conventional coating lines are high solids aircraft coatings and primers but these are usually the most hazardous to use during application. Epoxies paints and coatings have good adhesion and moisture resistance but can yellow over time. Companies that are not a franchise often purchase their supplies from a bathtub refinishing supply company that specifically caters to tub, tile and countertop refinishers. Some offer good support to their customers but for the most part are re-labelers and do not manufacture their own products, this is true of most franchise companies as well.

The average life span of a refinished bathtub (automotive paint) is 1 to 3 years depending on use. High solids aliphatic polyurethane or aliphatic acrylic urethane coatings are typically used on commercial aircraft and when applied properly onto bathtubs and ceramic tile will last up to 10 years. One should keep in mind that these types of coatings were not designed to be used in conditions where there is a potential for skin contact before they have cured enough to stop emitting chemical residues and gasses which could be harmful to infants, young children and individuals who have sensitive skin or have respiratory difficulties. These types of coatings require a greater level of skill to apply and are not for the novice refinisher, which is why many refinishers prefer the automotive acrylic paint because of its user friendliness. The acrylic paint looks like a million dollars right after the refinisher collects your payment. Unfortunately, you are lucky if it maintains its beauty for more than 1 year.

Another potential problem with these types of coatings is the Volatile Organic Compound content which in most cases exceeds the limits set forth by the EPA which is 400 grams per liter for architectural coatings. If you live in the south coastal region of California, the VOC limits are 100 grams per liter for architectural coatings. There is, however, an exemption: the refinisher can legally spray up to 3 lbs of coating per day (not location) which is roughly 24 ounces, this is enough to do one whole bathtub and half of another. So technically the refinisher would only be able to do one and a half tubs in a 24 hour period under these restrictions, and when you figure that the average cost to do a tub is $300.00, it's a tough scenario.

An interesting exercise: if you were to visit web sites of the major refinishing franchises and independent companies you will be a better detective than I am if you can locate any published MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or VOC content information.

What's New - "The coating that scored the highest in overall performance" October 2009

I recently completed a two year evaluation of Zirlon Glaze, a nano technology coating from Nano Treatment LLC. I feel that this coating has the potential for changing the tub and tile refinishing industry for several reasons. For those who are concerned about our environment, it has a Volatile Organic Compound content of less than 100 grams per liter and does not contribute to greenhouse gasses. The coating is available in white or clear and can be applied onto bathtub and tile surfaces that have or have not been refinished. At its core this coating is basically a quartz matrix which is the hardest, most durable coating I have tested to date. It is the closest I have found in hardness to that of an original fired enamel and would be suitable for use in kitchen sinks. The other benefit is its exceptional wear resistance and, once applied, it extends the life of refinished tubs and tile surfaces. The coating also comes in an anti-slip version for bathtub bottoms and slippery tile surfaces. Zirlon Glaze had the shortest (30 minutes) residual odor after application compared to 24 hours for conventional coatings. For skin sensitive users and infants the Zirlon Glaze reached the inert state within 24 hours without the toxic out-gassing and lingering chemical residues and emissions of conventional aliphatic and automotive coatings which can typically last up to 7 days.

Zirlon Glaze has recently been released and is being distributed through BT Coatings to the refinishing industry. I feel many refinshers will want to use this new eco-friendly coating nationwide once they learn about it. Even though a homeowner may pay a refinisher $20.00 more to have a bathtub refinished with Zirlon Glaze, the benefits far outweigh the nominal cost difference. Additionally, choosing Zirlon gives the consumer an opportunity to become proactive in protecting the environment while having the benefit of a superior product. This doesn't happen very often as I have found many environmentally friendly coatings are under performers when compared to high voc coatings where as the Zirlon outperformed all of the leading brands. Ref

For those of you who would like your bathtubs and tile coated with Zirlon Glaze simply call your local refinishing company and ask if they plan on offering Zirlon Glaze. If they have not heard of Zirlon Glaze you can ask them to call 512-587-1625 or email Heidi Foster for technical information. Use this link for more information about Zirlon and ordering details. If you prefer you can provide the names of refinishing companies in your local area and they will be contacted on your behalf by a Zirlon representative.

January 15, 2010 Consumer Update. Due to the serious problem the non compliant VOC issue poses to refinishers, it was recently reported that there are some companies claiming to be offering Zirlon but were instead using an automotive clear coat and calling it Zirlon. If you want to make sure you are not being duped please contact Heidi Foster to verify that the company is a registered buyer.

The failure rate of tile and tub refinishing companies is almost as high as restaurants and for this reason I usually do not recommend using a company that has been in business for less than 5 years.

Choosing a company

There are several things to consider when deciding which company to use:

Always check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the company has any complaints filed and how they resolved the complaint.

Do the coatings used for refinishing comply with VOC regulations in your local area?

How long has the company been in business.

How does the company deal with toxic fumes.

How many bathtubs has your scheduled refinishing crew completed.

Get references from customers that had their bathtub refinished early in the company's beginning.

Read reviews in local media sources who might review or rate services in your community