How to Redo a Porcelain Tub

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Having a porcelain tub in your home can be a wonderful asset and a real feature piece that gets guests talking. They are becoming somewhat of a rarity in the modern era, but those of us who are lucky enough to have antique ones cherish them. They usually contain plenty of room for a relaxing soak, which is a luxury we all need now more than ever. However, due to its very nature, porcelain can sometimes take a beating and look a bit worse for the wear as the years pass.

Fortunately, it’s actually quite simple to breathe some new life into this key bathroom piece. While porcelain tub refinishing is a job that should usually be outsourced to a pro who has the right equipment and knowledge to get the job done right, a skilled DIY-er may be able to tackle the project. Read on for a primer on how to get your porcelain tub looking like new (even if it’s an antique):

  • Scrub down the scum: The first step is to scrub the inside and outside of the tub—any household cleaner will do. Use a stiff bristle brush or a sponge with a scrubbing surface for best results.
  • Break out the TSP: Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is sold at any home improvement store and is a great way to degloss the surface of the porcelain. Make sure you wear rubber gloves as a you scrub, and rinse the entire tub with water when you’re done.
  • Remove hardware: The next step in porcelain tub refinishing involves removing the hardware to protect it from sanders and paint in the next steps. A screwdriver is probably necessary at this point, although a tub spout might come right off by turning it counterclockwise with your bare hands. Anything you can’t easily remove should be covered with painter’s tape for added protection.
  • Sand it down: Next, sand the entire surface with fine grit paper. Rough grit will scratch up the surface, so avoid that at all costs. A palm sander will help save your grip at this point, and is well worth the investment. Use a shop vac and tack cloth to clean up the excess dust this is sure to create.
  • Prime: Cover any area around the tub with plastic sheeting and start spraying down the tub with acrylic primer contained inside a spray painter. Allow the first coat to dry (roughly 30 minutes), then apply a second coat.
  • Poly the tub: Finally, use the sprayer to apply a layer of epoxy acrylic to the whole tub. Let it dry before applying two more coats. After the final coat is added, don’t touch anything on the tub for at least 48 hours as everything fully and completely dries. When that time is up, put the hardware back in place, apply caulking around all seams and then you’re all done!

A porcelain tub refinishing project can seem intimidating for most DIY-ers, so if you prefer to leave it to the pros, our team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass has the knowledge and experience to do any bathroom job right, no matter the size or the materials required. Call us today!