We have a bathtub–I assume it’s cast-iron–whose finish is very scratched, dull, and difficult to get and keep clean. The grout around it needs work, too. A plumbing supply store whose staff I trust recommended a really good bathtub-refinishing company. This was a “no really, there are lots of bad companies out there but these guys really know what they’re doing, if you have it done don’t use anyone else” kind of recommendation. I called the company and they want $500 to refinish the bathtub, re-grout, and do small on-the-spot tile repair, etc.
I am willing to pay that ONLY if this is a one-time thing… but what I’ve heard about bathtub-refinishing is that it doesn’t last, that the re-finishing material will start to bubble and peel after only a few months and that it just has to be done all over again. (Also, that it smells terrible.) In your experience, dopers, is this true even of a really-well-done bathtub-refinish? Or have I only heard about the poor-quality jobs? Please help if you can! Thanks!
We had an old cast iron tub refinished. It was pulled out of an old house, dog shit still in it, nasty stained stinky.
Took it to a local place they redid it, and filled in the fixture holes as we were going to use a wall mounted faucet. He said not to use an abrasive cleanser. It’s been over a year and no stains resurfaced, no odd chips or bubbles of any kinds. The only flaw is a flat spot on the bottom of the tub that holds on to a few teaspoons of water, it has slightly discolored from standing water in that spot. I may use a stain eraser and see if that removes it. The only other tub rings are coming from Lush bath bars.
The tub cost us about $75, the refinish was about $350 Not bad for a new looking claw foot tub.
Rethinking this idea: What if the tub is never used. It’s in the guest bath, and the only time water is in it is when we rinse it for dust on cleaning day. Maybe the finish would stand up OK over time if it doesn’t get normal daily use and a regular cleaning/scrubbing?
