Redwood City Tub RefinishingBathtub Reglazing FAQ in Redwood City, CA
Plain answers to the questions Redwood City homeowners ask before refinishing a tub, shower, sink, counter or tile — cost, cure time, durability, color, care and warranty.
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About these answers
If your question isn't here, call (650) 710-4607 or send a photo of the fixture and we'll tell you the method, the price and the schedule before booking anything. These answers reflect how we actually work in Redwood City, from pre-war bungalows in Mount Carmel to 1980s condos near Redwood Shores.
Cost, time and value
Who does bathtub reglazing in Redwood City?
Redwood City Tub Refinishing reglazes and refinishes bathtubs, showers, sinks, countertops and tile throughout Redwood City, CA. Call (650) 710-4607, Monday through Saturday 8 AM to 6 PM, for a free same-day quote.
How much does bathtub reglazing cost in Redwood City?
In Redwood City, bathtub reglazing runs $745 to $900, shower refinishing $945 to $1,050, sink reglazing $430 to $500, countertop refinishing $535 to $650, and tile from $545. The final price depends on the surface material, size and condition.
How long does bathtub reglazing last?
A professionally reglazed bathtub lasts 10 to 15 years when you clean it with non-abrasive products. A DIY kit usually lasts only 3 to 5 years because it skips the etching and primer steps that bond the finish.
How long before I can use a reglazed tub?
The acrylic-urethane topcoat is dry to the touch within a few hours and ready for normal bathing 24 to 48 hours after the final coat. We re-caulk and confirm the cure time before we leave.
How long does a reglazing job take?
Most single-fixture jobs in Redwood City take 3 to 5 hours and are done same day. Larger projects with several fixtures or extensive chip and rust repair may run a little longer, and we tell you the schedule before we start.
Is reglazing cheaper than replacing a bathtub?
Yes. Refinishing a sound tub costs roughly 50 to 75 percent less than tear-out and replacement, with no demolition, plumbing changes or tile damage, and it is finished in a single day.
What we can refinish
What is the difference between reglazing, refinishing and resurfacing?
Reglazing, refinishing and resurfacing are three names for the same job: cleaning and prepping the existing surface, then bonding a new coating over it. They are different from a tub liner, which is a separate acrylic shell dropped inside the old tub.
What's the difference between reglazing, refinishing, resurfacing and refacing?
None — reglazing, refinishing, resurfacing, refacing and re-enameling all describe the same Redwood City service: bonding one fresh, durable coating onto the bathtub, shower, sink, countertop or tile you already own so it looks new, with no tear-out. The word changes from one company to the next; the work is the same. What's genuinely different is a bath liner or insert, a separate acrylic shell fitted over the old tub. With refacing in this sense we restore your original fixture rather than cover it.
Can you reglaze a fiberglass or acrylic tub?
Yes. Fiberglass and acrylic tubs and tub-shower units cannot be acid-etched, so we scuff-sand them and use an adhesion promoter instead, then spray the same acrylic-urethane topcoat. It restores faded, crazed gelcoat to an even gloss.
Can you reglaze ceramic tile?
Yes. We reglaze ceramic wall and floor tile in place by cleaning and etching the surface and grout, applying a bond coat, then spraying a topcoat. Dated pink, almond or avocado tile comes back bright white or a neutral with no tear-out and no new grout lines.
Can you reglaze a clawfoot or antique tub?
Yes. We refinish vintage cast-iron and clawfoot tubs inside and out, common in older Centennial and Mount Carmel homes. The interior is reglazed glossy white and the exterior can be finished in a color of your choice.
Peeling, DIY and damage
Why does a reglazed tub peel, and can it be fixed?
Peeling, called delamination, happens when the old surface was not etched or primed before coating, which is common with DIY kits. We strip the failed finish, re-prep the bare substrate and re-coat so the new finish bonds correctly.
Can I reglaze my bathtub myself with a DIY kit?
You can, but hardware-store kits skip the acid etch, the bonding primer and the sprayed multi-coat application, so they usually fail within 3 to 5 years and often peel. A professional finish lasts 10 to 15 years because the prep is done correctly.
Will reglazing fix chips, cracks and rust?
Chips, surface cracks and rust spots are filled, leveled and sanded flush as part of refinishing, so they disappear in the finished surface. A tub with a structural crack through the shell or one that flexes underfoot is not a candidate, and we will tell you that up front.
Finish, cleaning and the day of
What colors can I get?
Standard is a bright glossy white or a neutral off-white, which suits most Redwood City bathrooms. We can also color-match to existing tile or counters for a custom finish, quoted before we start.
Is the finish slippery, and can you add a slip-resistant bottom?
A reglazed tub floor is about as slip-resistant as the original glaze. For extra grip we can apply a fine textured slip-resistant finish to the tub bottom as an add-on, which is a good idea in homes with children or older adults.
How do I clean and care for a reglazed surface?
Use a non-abrasive liquid cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge. Skip abrasive powders, scouring pads, and harsh chemicals like bleach or acidic descalers, and avoid leaving rubber mats with suction cups or dripping shampoo bottles sitting on the surface, since those are what wear the gloss early.
Is there a smell, and do I need to leave during the job?
There is a paint-like odor during spraying, which is why we set up containment and ventilation. You do not have to leave the house, but plan to keep the bathroom door closed and the area ventilated for a few hours, and keep pets and kids out until it is cured.
Do you offer a warranty, and are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Redwood City Tub Refinishing is fully licensed and insured, and every reglazing job is backed by a written 5-year warranty on the bonded finish.
What areas of Redwood City do you serve?
We serve all of Redwood City, including Redwood Shores, Emerald Hills, Mount Carmel, Farm Hill, Centennial, Friendly Acres, Roosevelt, Stambaugh-Heller, Woodside Plaza and Canyon, across ZIP codes 94061, 94062, 94063 and 94065, with no travel surcharge.
Still have a question?
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