Caring for Your Refinished Bathtub
So, you’ve recently restored your porcelain or fiberglass bathtub—congratulations! Now that it’s looking fresh and new, we bet you want to keep it that way. Professional bathtub refinishing can add years to your tub’s lifespan, especially if you care for it properly.
Here’s how to take the best care of your “new” tub so that it stays looking clean and restored for years to come. If you have any questions, be sure to ask A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C.—we’re the experts on bathtub maintenance in Phoenix, AZ:
- Wait for the curing period to conclude: Your bathtub refinishing will include a curing period, during which the refinished covering will have the opportunity to fully set. It takes about 90 days to cure completely, although you’ll be able to use your tub within 48 to 72 hours of the refinishing process.
- Clean and caulk the faucet: Keeping errant moisture away from your tub ensures that you won’t have to deal with water damage or erosion. Check the caulking every month or so to make sure there are no problems developing.
- Scrub with gentle cleaners only: Liquid soap or body wash is one of the gentlest ways to clean your tub—simply scrub and rinse away for a clean, fresh tub. You can also ask your tub refinishing team what kind of cleaners they suggest. As a general rule, stay away from abrasive soaps, brushes and cleaning tools. They will scratch the shiny new finish and make it harder for you to maintain your tub’s new finish.
- Wax every one to three months: Much like your car, your bathtub needs to be waxed—and you can even use car wax to do it. About a week after your tub is refinished, wax it for the first time. Then wait a month and do it again in order to keep the finish looking brand-new. Simply take auto wax and apply it according to the directions, buff with a soft cloth and rinse away. Be sure to buff gently, as you don’t want to scratch the finish with too much elbow grease.
- Repair chips right away: If you notice chips in your finish, repair them before they get worse—you can either have a professional come repair them, or get a porcelain repair kit from the hardware store. As a general rule, the bigger the chip, the more likely you’ll want a pro to handle the repairs, unless you don’t care whether it looks good (but if you’ve just had your tub refinished, we suspect attractiveness is on your mind).
- Avoid suction cups: Non-slip bathmats and other items with suction cups are great to keep you from slipping, but hot water can react with the suction cups and damage your tub’s finish. Avoid using these in your tub.
- Keep surfaces dry: Finally, wipe down your tub after using so the surfaces remain dry, and never leave washcloths or sponges lying in the tub.
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. performs bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ—call us today to get started with an appointment.