Changing Bathtub Color

[cabinetman]

We're going to remodel one of the bathrooms, and before I buy a new tub, I'm wondering what options are worthwhile. I heard of glazing/painting old tubs to a new color. Anyone have experience with doing this and how it turns out and holds up?
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[siliconbauhaus]

I've heard of enamelling tubs (assuming its cast iron) but you need to get someone in for that to get a decent job. The other alternative is to sleeve the tub with one of those fibreglass things. There's probably a local bath fitter or whatever they're called near you.

[cabinetman]

I've heard of enamelling tubs (assuming its cast iron) but you need to get someone in for that to get a decent job. The other alternative is to sleeve the tub with one of those fibreglass things. There's probably a local bath fitter or whatever they're called near you.

One of the blogs I read about the overlay type sleeve is it could be a moisture and mold magnet in the gap between the old tub and the sleeve with the steam, etc.
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[crokett]

Cabman, depending on how much the bathtub is used, no personal experience but I am told by someone who had it done to a sink that recoating it will not hold up past a few years.

[pelligrini]

Just stop cleaning it, it'll change color over time.

[os1kne]

I have a client that does bathroom/kitchen resurfacing. I don't know much about it, but I think they use a colored/textured epoxy type coating. Here's a link for more info.

http://www.miraclemethod.com/

Good luck!

[RayintheUK]

Anyone have experience with doing this and how it turns out and holds up?

We had the bath re-enamelled in our former house, probably twelve or more years ago. It's still holding up well, but the over-riding memory we have of the job was the stink. It had to be cured with IR lamps and the smell pervaded throughout the house. It was the less-expensive choice at the time, but I seriously doubt I'd do it again.

Ray.

[cabinetman]

We had the bath re-enamelled in our former house, probably twelve or more years ago. It's still holding up well, but the over-riding memory we have of the job was the stink. It had to be cured with IR lamps and the smell pervaded throughout the house. It was the less-expensive choice at the time, but I seriously doubt I'd do it again.

Ray.

I would prefer to just replace the tub, but here's the rub with the tub. The walls that the bath tub fit (head to toe) are over 6'. The tub is a five footer. The tile in the bathroom is early 50's pinkish, with a pattern. By itself, the tile isn't objectionable. In fact, with changing the tub color (horrid pink), and using colors to compliment the tile, the room might look pretty good.

It's what we call our "guest bath". The 12" or so of extra space at the foot of the tub is tiled to the wall. The edges of the tile along tub's foot edge is all bullnosed. The walls are tiled up to a horizontal height of about 46" and bordered with the bullnose. I can't find this tile anywhere. I've been to tile stores, interior designers, and online, and the color/pattern is not likely made anymore. So finding replacement tiles is unlikely.

As for the tub, I personally would rather get rid of it and make a larger shower. We both prefer showers. With a larger shower, I would have more footroom to strike up a dance step while singin'.

So, what this all boils down to is that removing the tub would be an expensive hassle as the wall tiles would likely get damaged. If, and just if I could get all the tiles around the tub out and be able to re-use them for the footer, that would be ideal. Then I might go for a new tub. Or, to get the tub out without damaging the wall tiles, and then put in a new footer, maybe something that would look good with the tiles like marble, granite, or Corian®.

The tub is cast iron and in good shape.
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[JR]

What Ray said +1.

We had bathroom sinks done at my mother's house in preparation for sale. It was not cheap, but more economical than replacing.

It looked very nice when done, but was very stinky. All the tradesmen at the house had to clear out, including the one who was notoriously impervious to chemical warfare.

JR