Well, you can get it reglazed, but all the activities you list as liking it for will be risky with the new surface, which must be babied more than the original.

My acrylic Bain Ultra air tub was set in a bed of mud with a piece of think plastic between the mud and tub. This was done for the ease of removing the tub if ever the need arises. It's as solid feeling on the bottom as my husband's Kohler cast iron tub. As for cleaning, that's a different story. You're not supposed to use anything abrasive on acrylic. Believe it or not, Scrubbing Bubbles is considered abrasive :( That's been my go to tub cleaner for years. To clean my acrylic tub RIGHT, I use Gel Gloss. It's a pain (literally!). You spray it on, let it sit, buff it and let it dry and then wipe the residue. When I'm in a pinch for time or physically limited, I will use Scrubbing Bubbles. There are very few non abrasive cleaners out there. One Bain Ultra suggested was Lemon scent Lysol. NOTHING works better than Scrubbing Bubbles!

Why Sanitary napkins as shown in the photo? Also lotion? Are you going to do a hot water hook up to the tub? I know people who have had hot water hook up outside so they can rinse and wash the dogs before they come in the house. I always bring my boy in and use the warm water and sprayer in the tub. He jumps in and out by himself, does not slip on the non -slip bottom, but one of those rubber mats would work.

The finish on an acrylic or fiberglass tub is not as durable as a porcelain/enamel finish on cast iron, period. The aesthetics of an acrylic or fiberglass tub is typically not as detailed as on an old cast iron. A couple things. First, make sure you understand the difference between a steel tub and a cast iron tub - they are not the same. With stamped steel, you get what you pay for, and even expensive ones still don't equal the quality of a cast iron. With a new cast iron, your cost will meet or substantially exceed the cost of refinishing an old one. Refinishing can be near-to-factory when performed on site. However, to do that the tub should be fully exposed, meaning all walls and fixtures removed to completely expose it. But if you go to that length, then the better way is to deliver the tub to the refinisher's shop, and the finish will equal a factory finish. There they will have better opportunity for prep, which is the key to refinishing.