What is bathtub refinishing

It's also a good idea to wear breathing protection or whatever respirator equipment is recommended by the product manufacturer. If the kit includes an etching powder, apply it to the surface of the tub with water and scrub the surfaces with an abrasive pad.

The etching powder helps dull the finish so the new coating will adhere. Rinse the tub thoroughly with clear water. Make sure to roughen all corners and edges of the tub; this is a critical step to ensure the epoxy coating will adhere without later peeling.

Thorough sanding is especially important if the kit did not include an etching powder. Rinse the tub and let it dry. Wipe the tub with paper towels to make sure it is completely dry, then wipe with a tack cloth to remove any dust or paper residue. If the kit includes a primer, apply it to the bathtub surfaces. Apply the primer with a roller and foam brush, and let it dry as directed. Some refinishers are self-priming and do not require a separate prime coat.

DO NOT prime bathtub surfaces with ordinary commercial paint primer; use only the primer that is included with the kit you buy. To avoid leaving lint on the bathtub surfaces, clean the roller cover before applying primer or epoxy coating. A good way to do this is by using sticky tape to pull away any loose lint from the roller cover. You will now need to work fairly steadily, as epoxy coatings gradually begin to harden once they are mixed.

The product label will usually tell you how much working time "open time" you have, but you should be prepared to coat the entire tub in one working session. Begin applying the coating to the sides of the tub with a roller. Alternate between vertical and horizontal strokes to prevent drips and roller ridges.

Move on to the tub deck horizontal surfaces , then roll the tub bottom. Finish the edges as needed with a sponge brush. Apply a second coat of coating as directed by the label instructions. Some products require immediately recoating, while others may suggest one or two hours of drying time before applying the second coating.

Let the final coat dry and cure, as directed by the label. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way… I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous…. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect.

Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. There are bathtub refinishing companies out there, [company name removed] are using safe processes for refinishing your bathtub, you just have to ask the tough questions.

This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. I have never thought of this before! My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop tiles. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used?

Ya, very helpful articles are posted. I have read many articles but this is different one. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema.

I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. I did not realize how strong the chemical is, and now I am concerned about any however microscopic of this leeching into my bathwater and onto my skin.

I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me… This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? Even a tiny bit? I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. Thanks if you reply.

Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! I was researching because i just had a bad experience. The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. Not sure if it can come through the walls. The odor and fumes were suffocating. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated.

After most fumes and smell went away two days later i still had muscle pain and spasms all over, headache, very sick and weak, skin burned and stung, could feel it in my lungs. Never stay where resurfacing is being done. Its highly toxic… Teri. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. We can ask questions and be well-informed.

I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. I have stripped hundreds of tubs. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper…. When working with stripper or using solvents,acid,etc…as well as applying your refinishing product…. I use a mask only when Im outside mixing or gathering my equipment when the job is finished and I should be using the fresh air system while I do that….

Also cover your skin…some of these chemical will get into your body through your skin…. Good Luck…Keep yourself safe…..

I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. I think they want things swept under the carpet. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers.

The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. There is apparently limited research on this issue, but there are case studies of some children getting lead poisoning from bathing in an old bathtub that was leaching lead.

This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. According to the Centers of Disease Control, more than half a million children ages in the U.

Why can strippers with this ingredient be sold to consumers in U. A report by the Center for Public Integrity on U. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride.

As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? Our blog focused on the exposures from methylene chloride to workers during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing.

Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident.

However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I opted in for your Feed too. Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR.

My question is about whether it leaches during use. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Thank you for this post. Very good info. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care.

This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. There is an incredible amount of data on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. As owner of a tub refinishing company we have moved away from polyurethane isocyanate systems years ago because of the hazards but, for educational purposes, we provide a dedicated page with links to various articles on our website explaining the dangers of isocyanate coating use in residential markets.

As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. Bathtub refinishing fumes are most certainly dangerous during the application process and immediate curing process.

Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. That is really great to know. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind.

Bathtub refinishing can be very dangerous indeed, I have seen many poorly trained so called bathtub refinishing specialists using dangerous chemicals to refinish bathtubs in peoples homes without the proper ventilation systems in place and without using the proper protective equipment necessary.

I think there should be more regulation on access to such chemicals and certainly there should be stringent training laws in place when it comes to using such chemicals. I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. He also had a small fan in the bathroom window to remove the fumes, as well as towels on the floor to prevent odors from coming into the living area.

I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room?

I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. If they continue, you should consult your doctor. If methylene chloride was used to strip the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing the focus of our blog , it is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed.

We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. To ensure their safety, the employees should have left the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors.

When there is not a properly designed local exhaust ventilation system to remove vapors, the workers should have used full-face supplied-air respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment PPE that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? Thank you! If you are referring to paint strippers which is what methylene Chloride is used for one consideration would be using alternative methods, such as sanding.

Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. There may also be substitute stripping products or methods however, please be aware that substitute stripping products may include other harmful chemicals or hazards, so use substitutes safely. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions.

Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. I already have cancer, my throat was raw and I had a headache. We tried to open our window a bit. Capital region housing in edmonton is the worst. We are sorry to hear about your health issues.

We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub.

I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. If proper ventilation is not possible, there needs to be a supervisor on watch in the room, or at least directly outside the door, ready to open immediately if the worker inside does not verbally respond to continuous 30 second verbal safety checks.

This may sound extreme, but I assure you, neglect to safety is not worth the life of a co worker, family member, or in my case a best friend. Better Than the Alternatives!

Bathtub Reglazing How is bathtub reglazing different than bathtub refinishing? We make your tub beautiful with bathtub refinishing! See the Photo Gallery. The fourth step in how to resurface a tub is priming the surface.

Primer can be applied with a brush, but the final result will look like it has been painted on. A trained technician will apply the primer with a professional-grade air brush system. The final step in how to resurface a bathtub is applying a final coating. This can be white, bone or a custom mixed color. The coating is applied with the same airbrush as described above.

With training and extensive experience a technician learns to spray evenly, resulting in a drip-free and evenly coated surface. Again, this coating can be applied with a brush or small roller, but the result is almost never satisfactory. Click here or call us today at for more information. How to Refinish a Bathtub. NAPCO offers the best supplies, equipment and training for bathtub reglazing in the industry - click here Your bath reglazing business can go a whole lot smoother with a professional company like NAPCO backing you up.