Reglazing a bathtub is one of the best options to make a worn-out tub look good without spending a lot of money.
How Long Does Bathtub Reglazing Last? Bathtub reglazing can last 8-16 years, depending on the maintenance, usage, and resurfacing materials. You can make it last longer by using a high-quality finisher and primer, using nonabrasive cleaners, and proper maintenance. Fading, bubbling, peeling and chipping, and sticky and rough texture are the common problems with a reglazed bathtub.
In addition, it can enhance the bathroom interior by adding a pleasant appearance to this fixture, as it is the focal point of the bathroom. However, you should wear a mask and get rid of its smell quickly when doing this process.
How long can a bathtub reglazing last?
Bathtub reglazing can last for approximately 8-16 years, depending on the care and maintenance, and it can last for 2-3 years if you do not take proper care of this plumbing fixture.
The dirt rings formed around the fixture can make it look rough, and the water standing there cause the mold and bacteria to grow, which decreases the lifetime.
The lifespan of this process can decrease if you have a large family and they use the bathtub daily.
The surface of the plumbing fixture also affects its durability if it does not have cracks and rust circles around the tub.
Professionals use urethane, polyurethane, and acrylic products that can last longer as compared to DIY kits, which use typical paints and epoxies.
All these factors significantly contribute to the durability of the reglazing and can decrease the lifetime of finishing if you do not pay attention to these factors.
How can you make bathtub reglazing last longer?
The durability of the reglazing depends on the following factors, and you can make it last longer by considering the points explained here.
High-quality finishers
High-quality primers, finishers, and sealants to fill the gaps and cracks can make them last for a long time, compared to low-quality products with less reliable ingredients.
For example, epoxy primer is a good choice for smooth and long-lasting surfaces, such as they can work on ceramics, iron, porcelain, and steel surfaces.
They can fix the imperfections and cracks on the surface of this plumbing fixture and make it easy to apply the finisher with a fine and smooth look.
You can use good-quality acrylic finishers to apply on the bathtub surface for reglazing because they can prevent mold and scratches and make them last longer.
Two or more coats of the finisher are better for long-lasting results, but apply the finisher properly or hire a professional to do this job perfectly.
Avoid using harsh cleaners
You can avoid using harsh and toxic chemical cleaners, which can cause fading and cracks on the finished surface, such as ammonia, bleach, and acidic cleaners.
Drain cleaners and liquids to remove the clogs also affect the durability and decrease the lifespan of the finisher.
You can make them last longer by using gentle and non-toxic liquids to clean the dust and dirt particles and keep them shining for a long time.
For example, you can use a mild dishwashing liquid without any abrasive chemicals for better results.
Maintenance
The reglazing can last for a long time if you prepare the surface of the plumbing fixture and clean the dust and dirt with a cleaner and soft cloth.
However, the suction cup bathmats can damage the finisher coating layer and decrease its durability.
You can make it last longer if you have skills and experience in applying finishers and coating.
An inexperienced person cannot do the task correctly, which leads to the wear and tear of finishing when exposed to water and cleaning agents.
What are the common problems with reglazed bathtubs?
Reglazing bathroom fixtures can have many issues when applying finishers and after this process.
Fading
Fading is a common problem that may occur when you mix a low-quality product in the finisher and apply a thin layer or coating of the finisher on the top surface of the bathroom fixture.
It will fade soon when exposed to direct sunlight or cleaned with a liquid daily for maintenance.
However, the inner surface can be visible through the upper layer of the finisher when you do not apply an adequate thick refinish coating or primer before using the finisher.
The abrasive cleaner can cause sanding on the surface, and the finisher’s glossy look vanishes, leading to fading.
However, you can use some special products instructed by professionals that are less prone to fading and can last longer than others.
Bubbling
Bubbling can occur because of the air trap between different coating layers, and you do not prepare the surface before applying the refinishing products.
In addition, air bubbles can form when the finisher does not stick properly on its surface.
It can occur when the bathtub has already been reglazed previously, and you want to reglaze it again. Still, old finisher layers are not stripped out properly before applying them again.
It is important to properly remove the old finisher from the surface and clean it thoroughly so the finishing material can stick well without any bubbles in the coating.
You can consult a professional about using a good-quality stripping material to strip out the old layers without damage.
Peeling and chipping
The peeling can occur when there is chipping on the bathtub surface and water seeps down the chips, which can be due to temperature changes and improper finishing.
Also, the Chipping causes if you drop a heavy item on this plumbing fixture, leading to the finisher’s peeling over time.
Another reason for the peeling of a finisher is insufficient drying time, and it does not adhere to the surface properly when you start using the fixture.
You can hire a professional repair person to deal with this problem because it can become severe over time, and you may have to change the bathroom fixture if the cracks occur due to constant peeling and chipping.
The water seeping out due to cracks and peeling can cause mold and rust around the fixture, which affects its durability, and you may need to reglaze it again.
Sticky and rough texture
The surface can feel sticky if the finishing materials are not mixed properly in a proper ratio and the coating layers are not cured after applying the finishers.
The problem can also occur when the resurfacing materials react with the cleaning chemicals and you apply many coats together without drying them.
The problem does not occur if you hire an experienced working staff because they know how much time it needs for one coat to dry and the correct ratio of resurfacing materials.
The finishing appears rough and uneven when the surface is not clean and dirt and dust are trapped on the layers.
Dust and dirt can enter the bathroom through the door, windows, and with your shoes, and the dust particles spread due to the ventilation of air in the bathroom.
It can trap on the wet layers of finishers and look unattractive when the surface dries, and the bathtub needs repairing soon.
Instead, you can clean the surface with the recommended cleaners, making the plumbing fixture look smooth and dust-free.
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