What is bathtub reglazing?
Bathtub reglazing gives a worn tub a new surface without taking it out. We clean it, fix surface damage, prime it and spray a smooth, glossy finish.
Stains, chips and an old color don't always mean you need a new tub.
Bathtub Reglazing Basics
What reglazing does, when it makes sense, and when replacement is better.
Updated · Reviewed by Sergey Maidanik
Reviewed by Sergey Maidanik
Is reglazing the same as refinishing or resurfacing?
Bathtub reglazing, refinishing and resurfacing are three names for the same job. What matters is the prep, repairs and coating included in your quote.
Ask how the tub gets cleaned, whether chips get repaired and what finish goes on. A bathtub liner is different. That's a fitted shell placed over the old tub.
Is bathtub reglazing worth it?
Bathtub reglazing is worth it when the tub is solid but the surface is worn. With good care, a professional finish usually lasts 10 to 15 years.
If the base is soft, leaking or moving, putting a new finish on it won't solve the problem.
Reglazing vs replacing a bathtub, which is better?
Bathtub reglazing usually makes more sense for stains, chips or an old color. Replace the tub if its structure has failed or you want to change the bathroom layout.
- Our tub refinishing starts from $395. Replacement commonly costs $3,000+ once you include the rest of the work.
- A new tub can also mean plumbing, demolition, tile repairs and disposal.
Reglazing vs a bathtub liner, what's the difference?
Bathtub reglazing puts a new finish on your existing tub. A bathtub liner is a fitted shell that sits over it.
Reglazing keeps the tub's shape. A liner adds another layer, so the fit and support matter. A badly installed liner can trap moisture underneath.
Is reglazing just painting the tub?
Bathtub reglazing isn't a coat of ordinary paint. The cleaning, repairs and bonding prep are what let a two-part finish stick to the tub.
House paint isn't made for repeated soaking. Ask about the coating, cure time and written warranty before you book.
Can any bathtub be reglazed?
Cast iron, steel, acrylic and fiberglass tubs can usually be reglazed if they're solid. A soft floor, flexing base or rotten support needs repair or replacement first.
- Send a whole-tub photo and a close-up of the damage.
- Tell us if it moves when you stand in it.
- Photos help, but they can't show every problem underneath.
Can you reglaze a tub that's cracked?
A small surface crack in a bathtub can often be repaired before reglazing. A structural crack or soft, moving floor needs more than a new coating.
If the crack opens when you stand in the tub, or it leaks, tell me up front. I'll tell you if the floor needs repair or the tub needs replacing.
Still unsure? Send a photo. Get a price.
Send a photo of your tub, shower or tile. Start with a price from home.