How to Reglaze a Bathtub

By Mary M. Alward

When our car gets rusty, we take it to the body shop to have it repaired. When clothes become stained and worn, we stop wearing them. When your carpet can no longer be cleaned to make it look presentable, you tear it up and replace it. What do you do when your bathtub's glaze is worn off and it can't be brought back to its former shine? If this has happened to you, consider reglazing it.

Reglazing Step-by-Step

Before you begin your reglazing project, check all plumbing and drains to be sure they are working properly and are in good shape. If you have to call in a plumber, he may damage your newly reglazed tub.
Remove everything from the bathroom except for items that are stored in cabinets or cupboards. This prevents them from being damaged in the reglazing process. Remove all toiletries, towels and decorative items from cupboards and walls.
Make sure the bathroom is well ventilated. If the window can't be opened, you must use a ventilation system. These can be rented and must be started before the reglazing project begins.
Remove all trim plumbing that is close to the bathtub. This includes the overflow cap, the spout and the showerhead, as well as the toilet if it will prevent you from accessing the bathtub's apron.
Remove all caulking and grout that immediately borders the bathtub. Caulking and grout near the tub are usually in need of repair. Before you continue with the reglazing project, clean up the mess to prevent caulking and grout from settling into the newly applied glaze.
Use industrial bathtub cleaner to thoroughly clean the tub. Rinse and clean with 120 grit sand to remove all calcium deposits and paint. Dry the tub well.
Wash the bathtub with hydrofluoric acid and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the bathtub with cold water and re-wash with 120 grit sand. Rinse well and dry the tub.
Blow the borders of the tub dry with a compressor or shop vacuum. Remember to include the drain and overflow. Be sure that there is no moisture left anywhere that can get on the tub once you have dried it.
Fill the bottom of the tub and the ledges with body filler. You may have to repeat this process several times if there is a lot of acid damage. Apply body filler with care and be tidy. Body filler is hard to sand off once it has dried.
Using the widest masking tape you can buy, mask the entire floor and all bathtub borders. Cover all cabinets and the vanity with plastic painter's drop sheets. You do not want the plastic sheets or masking tape to come loose while you are spraying glaze on the tub. This would be a nightmare that you don't want to experience. Be certain to cover everything in the room to prevent glaze particles from sticking to it.
Sand the body filler until it is completely smooth. Clean the room thoroughly with a shop vacuum. Tack cloth the entire surface of the tub.
Use an epoxy product to prime the tub. Allow it to dry according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Tack cloth the entire surface of the tub again. Apply the glaze according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Clean the spray gun and put the compressor system away. By this time the bathroom should be ventilated enough for your to enter and remove most of the masking. Leave masking around the tub's borders.
Remove the ventilation system if you used one and return it to the rental agency.
Allow the newly glazed bathtub to dry overnight. Do not touch it.
The next afternoon, all plumbing fixtures may be replaced. Re-caulk and re-grout the tub's borders. Do not use the tub for 48 hours to be sure the glaze is thoroughly dry.

Enjoy the new look of your old tub. You’ll be amazed at the difference once your project is complete. Reglazing the bathtub yourself will save you money and you'll feel proud each time that you see what a great job you've done.