Tub refinishing

[Paul G]

Normally I'd replace a porcelain shower tub with some rust spots but that will have to wait a year or two. In the meantime I need to deal with the rust and the little touch up paints haven't worked so well and am considering a full tub refinish. Curious if anyone has any product recommendations or nightmares to avoid, any input is much appreciated.

 

[leakyroof]

Back in 2000 my wife contracted with a refinishing firm to recoat our bathtub and sink. Although the area around the drains for either plumbing fixture are looking shabby again, the rest of the sink or tub looks really good to date. Was surprised on how well it has held up.  Seem to be an epoxy coating of paint basically.

 

[Paul G]

I'm glad to hear a success story, wasn't sure if it was worth doing at all. Now to find the products that actually deliver good results. I've come across http://bath-works.net/, Rustoleum, Magic, Homax, and some others that won't sell to DIYers.

 

[leakyroof]

What ever the product was that this crew used, it is tough stuff. Holds up to bathroom cleaning chemicals, drain cleaner, and lord knows what else that is lurking in the hair and bath products my wife uses.  [wink]
They applied it with a Low Pressure Spray Gun system. Masked the whole bathroom to protect from overspray.
Leveled low spots beforehand with epoxy, added primer, then several top coats if I remember right.
Not a job that I could easily duplicate without training and equipment.

 

[Paul G]

I've seen both spray and roll on products, hard to imagine the roll on has as even a finish. Like a lot of things it's hard to weed through the hype and get to the meat when comparing products.

 

[johninthecamper]

p o r 15 makes a tub/sink  refinsher kit. I have not used it, but everything I have used from them has been excellent.

 

[Paul G]

p o r 15 makes a tub/sink  refinsher kit. I have not used it, but everything I have used from them has been excellent.

Thanks, I've never heard of it before, some stuff there I'd like to use for other applications as well. After digging around on their site I found what I think you were talking about, WhiteCote http://www.por15.com/WhiteCote_p_44.html definitely worth considering.

 

[bkharman]

p o r 15 makes a tub/sink  refinsher kit. I have not used it, but everything I have used from them has been excellent.

i have used por 15 on a boat and to hide some rust on a 1969 bronco (floorboards and frame) and it is amazing.

 

[finefinish]

ive used tub doc by xim quite a bit. its an epoxy so no primer needed.
it may yellow over time but not too noticeably. I sprayed it , thinned with a bit of xylene
and it was super smooth. It can also be rolled but i havent tried it that way.