For Quick, Inexpensive Bathroom Remodeling –
Don’t Demolish, Refinish!
When a bath tub or bathroom sink gets dingy, damaged, and ugly,
many homeowners opt for an extensive bathroom remodeling. However,
there is a more cost-effective way to rectify the problem!
Full-Blown Renovation; Time Consuming and Costly
When it comes to replacing a bath tub and sink, ceramic tile must
be torn out, the tub and sink removed, and drywall demolished and
removed. A long messy process causing substantial inconveniences
to all family members results.
Plumbers and carpenters are required for new fixture installation,
and then re-tiling once fixtures are in place. The cost for a new
bathroom sink and tub has now shot up into thousands of dollars,
just to install a $100 bathroom sink and a $250 bath tub kit.
An Inexpensive and Quick Alternative
If this type bathroom renovation sounds tedious, time-consuming,
and depressing, there is another alternative! Widely available from
numerous manufacturers in a large assortment of colors, a quality
bath tub refinishing product can be used for bathroom sink refinishing
or sink repair. Technically called “aliphatic poly urethane,”
these 2-part coatings are also known as epoxy coating. Epoxy finishes
are nearly as tough and durable as the factory finish on bathroom
fixtures when properly maintained and cared for.
The beneficial aspects of these coatings include:
- A short amount of time is required to begin and complete a bath
tub refinishing or sink refinishing project. Once the coating
is applied, the tub or sink is ready for use in approximately
48-hours, depending on the product and manufacturer.
- The price of refinishing a tub or sink is but a fraction of
bathroom remodeling cost; especially when considering demolition,
preparation, and installation of new fixtures. Not to mention
the services of carpenters, plumbers, drywallers, tilers, and
painters that might be required.
Almost every manufacturer of a bath tub refinishing product touts
the ease of application, with the use of a brush or paint roller.
The difference in the final result - between professional bath tub
refinishers spraying on the finish and homeowners using a brush or
roller is drastic. The professionally-sprayed finish will
render breath-taking results; the brushed or rolled-on finish will
look novice at best. The occasional homeowner who is somewhat adept
at using a sprayer might achieve good results. But overall, hiring
a professional is recommended.
Easy-to-Follow Steps to Bath Tub or Sink Refinishing
Brave homeowners wishing to undertake this type DIY project should
follow these steps:
- Thoroughly remove all caulk around tub or sink edges.
- Very thoroughly clean the bath tub or sink. Many products include
2 stages of cleaning chemicals to assure adequate surface preparation.
- Carefully mask areas around the bath tub or sink that are not
to be coated.
- Remove fixtures and plumbing hardware; mask any remaining hardware
not to be coated.
- Lightly sand the entire surface of the bath tub or bathroom
sink, using a fine grit of 220 to 240.
- Vacuum the surface; thoroughly clean and remove any loose particles
or sanding dust.
- Provide adequate ventilation, preferably using a fan to direct
fumes and overspray outside through an open window.
- Depending on the product used, the kit might include an acid
reducer to etch the surface. This promotes optimum adhesion of
the coating. Apply according to manufacturer instructions.
- For bath tub chip repair, fill dings, dents, scratches or chips
with the resin included in most kits; follow instructions carefully.
For more severe or extensive damage, some kits may include fiberglass
mesh used with resin for fiberglass bath tub repair. (You may
want to seriously consider enlisting a professional for repairing
more extensive damage.)
- When adequately cured, sand any repairs until smooth, and then
thoroughly clean.
- Cover and protect cabinets, surfaces, and other bathroom fixtures,
toilets, etc., with a drop cloth or by masking. Follow instructions
carefully. Apply up to 3 coats of the primer, allowing sufficient
time between coats to dry.
- Using steady, even strokes of the spray gun, apply 3 to 4 coats
of the final finish. Allow ample dry time between each application.
Homeowners determined enough to undertake this type project will
realize maximum savings. However, even when using professional bath
tub refinishers, the project can yield stunning results in a fraction
of the time and cost of a complete bathroom renovation.
Locating a Professional Contractor
All across Canada, homeowners are using HandyCanadian.com to locate
reliable local bath tub refinishing services. Never before has it
been easier to post a project online. Find a bath tub refinishing
service through our online contractor directory listing, or let
the professionals come to you.
Homeowners can sign up for FREE, with no obligation whatsoever.
And then post their bath tub refinishing or bathroom sink refinishing
project online, where service provider members can view project
details. Local contractor members then provide competitive bids,
even within hours after project posting.
Homeowners can critique bidding contractors by viewing contractor
profile pages, insurance, licensing, and certification credentials,
customer reviews and references, and view photo gallery of recent
projects. And then make an informed hiring decision – or hire
no one at all; there is no obligation whatsoever.
To sign up and post a project today, click
here.
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