Conventional Resurfacing, Reglazing, and Refinishing

Twin Cities Granicrete has many years of experience in resurfacing, reglazing, and refinishing countertops, wall tile, vanity tops, sinks, and bathtubs in the Twins Cities Metropolitan area.

Resurfacing, reglazing, and refinishing are the three industry wide terms that all deliver the same result. The difference is in the supplier of the coatings the refinisher uses when performing the job and the process that the technician uses.

Porcelain is a hard, white, translucent ceramic that is applied to cast iron and then fired in a furnace at over 2200 degrees. It's a lot like firing pottery and setting the glaze. Nobody can re-porcelainize a bathtub in place--period. The tub would have to be removed and sent to the factory to be re-porcelainized. Be careful of someone who claims they do this.

When you base your bathtub resurfacing project with meticulous preparation and sound chemistry the result will be SUCCESS.

1. Remove all caulking and thoroughly clean the bathtub.
2. Tape all the way around the bathtub using masking tape, .
3. To minimize any odors associated with the refinishing process, a high-speed ventilation fan is installed and vented outside.
4. This is the most important step which a lot of companies skip. This step removes all of the surface glazing from the bathtub, and creates an extremely porous surface which allows the primer to bond to the tub surface. On the inside and out side of the bathtub we chemically remove all of the glazing.
5. After de-glossing the bathtub, the surface is converted to a neutral PH.
6. Using 80-grit sand paper the entire surface is then wet-sanded.
7. As part of our resurfacing, if there are any chipped or worn areas in the tub we will fill and sand them smooth. WE DO NOT charge extra for this like most companies do.
8. Protective covers are carefully draped over the vanity and toilet and drop-cloths are installed on the floor.
9. Two coats of a special porcelain primer are applied to the surface of the bathtub.
10. Next 28 oz. of top coat mixture is applied to the primed surface (3-4 coats). The number of coats required is determined by temperature and humidity. (Most bathtub refinishing suppliers recommend the same amount of top coat mixture in ounces to be applied to the bathtub in order to extend a 5 year warranty. Some companies claim to apply so many coats of primer and several coats of their top coat. They might gain an advertising edge by leading you to believe that more coats are better.) Three to four wet coats (allowing the surface to dry to the touch between coatings) is the BEST way to achieve the desired mil-thickness of 6-7 mils.
11. After the equipment is cleaned and put away, then drop cloths and protective coverings are removed. The area is wiped down, paper-work completed.
12. 4 hours after the surface has been refinished the bathtub can be used .