There are companies that can come and refinish bathtubs, fix chips and repaint it a color of your choice, etc. My father ironically owns a company that does this in the Northwest. His prices are significantly cheaper than replacing a bathtub, not sure if they have anything in your area but you might want to try looking in the phonebook under Home & Garden or bathtubs.

My 40 year old tub WAS pristine till I lost my grip on the hammer during the remodel. So I now have a decent sized chip on the outside of the tub. I just tried (just as in I did this yesterday) to use Krylon paint. First I used some torn masking tape to isolate the area in a less linear way, then used a few layers of primer to bring it up to the level of the porcelain. Then removed the one taping, sanded lightly, and taped again, similarly but a bit wider area and sprayed three layers of Krylon gloss white. So far it LOOKS very nice (the chip was about the size of a silver dollar) and I have "cleaned" it and it isn't budging.

I won't be ready to use the tub for another month, but again my ding was outside the used area, so I think it will be fine. . .Since it seems to have worked, I have a sink given me by someone re-doing their bathroom. It is exactly the same as my current sink except less wear and tear. SO I am going to take it out to the shop (not installed yet) and try this on the sink. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Just a note, after reading a few other forums about the companies that refinish bathtubs, I am less than convinced it is a good idea. Those that "just" had it done seemed pleased, but those who had it done five years or more ago, didn't think it was so great. The reasons varied and included color shifts and peeling/chipping off.

After reading rainidame's response I should add that it is a good idea to look for one that gives a warranty if you choose to go that route. Any company that doesn't offer one I wouldn't give them the time of day.

The original finish of your bathtub is porcelin. That is why it lasted 40 to 50 years. The finish you read about in the weekend fliers is an epoxy paint. It will last the length of the warranty if you take all the steps they give you to protect it. Your toenails will penetrate it if you aren't careful. We have been there, done that and I wouldn't put it on my mailbox.

I had mine "re-done" Disaster!! The person doing the work didn't bother to do a final wipe down before applying the paint and so wherever there was a speck of dust there was no adhesion. It took me months to get them out to repair the damage and the only way they would come is if I signed off on the warranty - promising never to ask for more work. The second time, the person doing the work didn't match the paint and the touch-ups all showed.

I've also heard some bad things about tub refinishers. I guess I'll need some creative due diligence if I decide to go that route - not just checking with the Better Business Bureau. This is my only bathroom, so not using the tub for a whole month is not an option!

Sounds like there are no really good solutions. Considering all the aging tubs in American homes, how little we want them in landfills, and how advanced coating technology is for some applications, I hoped someone would have come up with something that really works for this.

Elizabeth, just to clarify, the Krylon is ready now, it is my slow pace at getting the bathroom remodeled that is taking another month. Since I have another tub, I am in no hurry and the Krylon was a test to see if replacing the tub would be necessary BEFORE I finished all the walls and floors.

I did "clean" it with comet this weekend after it had a solid four days to be completely dry (the draped, remodel area is not getting the good house heat so things dry slowly right now and I wanted to be especially careful about it drying fully)and it looks just like the rest of the tub. . . . I think I may be on to something.

There is the option of sandblasting down to bare metal and putting new porcelain on.. that can't be done in place though and is expensive. I know that's one of the steps in restoring old applicances, though, so the option should be there if it's really important to keep the same tub.

Just purchased a condo built in the 1960's. The contractor who is remodeling the bathroom suggested "reglazing" the bath tub. What exactly is reglazing and should I do it?