Bath Tub Refinishing Care Instructions - 5 Tips
Bathtub Refinishing Plano, TX & Area
If you've recently had your bathtub refinished, it's important to know how to properly care for it so that it lasts for many years. A properly cared-for tub can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, but if you don't follow the proper guidelines, your tub may start to show wear and tear much sooner. In this blog post, we will discuss five tips for properly caring for your refinished bathtub. This advice also applies to cultured marble bathtubs, tile refinishing, fiberglass resin work, vanity refinishing, shower pans, countertops, and tile surrounds! Bathtub Refinishing Plano also serves the greater DFW metroplex to include: Dallas, Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Arlington, Lake Dallas, Balch Springs, Flower Mound, North Richland Hills, Red Oak, and more great Texas cities!
1. Use the Correct Cleaning Products
Your bathtub refinishing services are complete! Now what? One of the easiest things you can do to care for your refinished bathtub is to use the right cleaners. You should avoid any cleaners with bleach or ammonia as these can damage the tub’s finish. Instead, use a gentle cleaner meant for bathrooms and tubs. Avoid any abrasive cleaners.
You also need to be careful about what you use to scrub the tub. Abrasive cleaning pads can also damage the surface of your refinished bathtub. Use a soft sponge or cloth when cleaning and avoid harsh scrubbing. Brillo pads and similar scrubbers should be avoided at all costs. These will make fine scratches in the coating that oils and dirt can hide in causing you to scrub even HARDER next time you clean, creating MORE scratches!! It's a vicious cycle!
Some cleaners were recommend for bathtub reglazing care are Dow Scrub and Bubbles, Dawn Dish Soap, and Lysol Tub & Tile.
2. Plumbing Repair Advice
You should give some thought to any plumbing repairs that your bathroom needs or upgrades you want to make as part of your refinishing project such as new faucets or drain. Unless you are experienced in making plumbing repairs, it is advisable to hire a professional to do this work. Not only will they be able to do the job quickly and correctly, but they will also have the proper insurance in case anything goes wrong.
If you decide to tackle the plumbing repairs yourself, be sure to turn off the water to your bathroom before you begin. This will prevent any accidental flooding while you are working. You should also take care to properly seal any areas where you make pipe connections to avoid any leaks. Once your plumbing repairs are completed, test all of your fixtures by running the water for a few minutes before turning them off again.
You may think of bathtub refinishing as just bathtub painting but this process is nothing like painting. To keep a smooth, shiny surface, the correct finish coat is applied after an etching process. Once the bathtub resurfacing is completed; great care must be taken when making plumbing repairs so that your new surface isn't scratched or damaged. Any replacements that can be done in advance are advised... at least the old plumbing removed. This also prevents the old surface from showing around the edges of a drain or faucet that is slightly smaller.
3. Storing Soaps and Shampoos
Although our bath tub refinishing Dallas is extremely durable once our whole process is complete and your bathtub cures, most refinishers recommend storing soaps and shampoos off of the epoxy paint. Our enamel coating however is twice and thick as a standard acrylic urethane paint and is loaded with a bonding agent to create a molecular bonding agent with your bathtub or tile surround. Our refinishing process will hold up to the storage of most soaps and shampoos.
In addition to our superior coating, we use the tried and true acid etching process which creates microscopic scratches in your factory baked on finish. This strong bond to the original surface is what sets us apart from other bathtub refinishers. The polyester resin we use to fill small scratches and chips even our areas on a damaged bathtub so your bathtub refinishing will look great and last for years.
4. Car Wax Trick for Side and Around Drain
For an extra level of protection, you can apply a coat of car wax to the tub’s surface. This will create a barrier against dirt and grime and make cleaning much easier. Just be sure to avoid getting wax on the tub’s drain or faucet as this can make it difficult to remove later on. Bathtub refinishing is a reliable process that creates a smooth surface. The car wax performs just as it would on your car. It helps water bead up and run off. DO NOT PUT CAR WAX ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BATHTUB OR SHOWER.
5. Chemicals to Avoid!!
We have been refinishing bathtubs for nearly 20 years. One thing we see time and again that can cause bathtub refinishing to fail is the use of harsh chemicals. Other household chemicals such as nail polish remover and hair dye can also damage the new surface
You should never use the following chemicals on your refinished bathtub:
- Bleach
- Abrasive cleaners
- Drain cleaners
- Tub and tile cleaners
- Magic erasers
These chemicals will cause the new finish to fail prematurely and reduce life expectancy. If you must use a cleaner, only use a nonabrasive, mild dishwashing liquid like Ivory Liquid or Dawn Dishwashing soap. See tip #1 above for some recommendations. Always rinse well with clean water after cleaning. You should also avoid using any kind of shampoo, body wash or bubble bath that contains oils as this can cause the tub to become slippery and dangerous. Choose products that are labeled “oil free” or “noncomedogenic” instead.
Summary
If you take these simple steps, you will help keep your bathtub looking great for years to come!
Bathtub Refinishing Plano also offers tub repair, tile refinishing, sinks, countertops, showers, and more. We can work on fiberglass tubs, grout lines, shower pans, and other bathroom fixtures. Our refinishing process works great on cast iron or cultured marble. Bathtub Refinishing Plano is your one-stop source and the only company using the best coating available today. Save thousands and get your upgrade done in a day by calling us! We offer a free estimate right over the phone.
Bathtub Refinishing Plano Pros are your premier bathtub refinishing service. Call or email us today!
