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Reglaze a cast iron tub or buy a new steel one?

8 years ago

We were originally going to buy a new one. Since we are trying to budget, we figured we'd get the home depot 250 dollar one. After seeing a home show, I realized reglaze was an option and that we actually have a cast iron tub. I called a more expensive and highly rated reglaze company. They want 450 for the job. At the same time, another handyman told me to go get a new tub (a steel tub) for 300 at home depot and he would do the install for 200.

Will reglaze make it look new? It's a 6 hour process and involves a lot. There's a lot of grout around on the sides, etc.

Suggestions? I don't know much about this.

Featured Answer

lam702

8 years ago

Whats the warranty on reglazing? They look great when first done, not sure how they'll hold up long term. If it were me, I'd replace the tub.

Comments (9)

Karlinab Jones
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, 11 years, but it seems like many things can void the warranty.
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What you decide to do depends on: Will children be using the tub? Do you bathe pets in the tub? Is it the only tub in the house? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then the answer is no to reqlazing. My DD had a yellow tub like yours. It had been reglazed white before she bought the house. She has 2 "Tweenage" daughters, past the bath stage, but into long showers and lots of Hair prep.. etc. and the glaze is chipping If you have another tub in the home my suggestion would be to replace the tub with a shower. ( unless you must have a tub). We reglazed (professionally) our second bath tub- which is never used. I am very pleased with how it turned out, but would have replaced it if it was going to receive any use. We replaced the tub in the master bath with a shower. We have a third jetted tub in our guest bath. If you are planning on replacing the tile surround, replace or remove the tub if possible. Pam
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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.
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Our new cast iron tubs (Toto) and cast iron shower pan (Kohler) have the non-slip grips and they don't feel too rough at all. I've sat in my tub a number of times since it was installed thse past June, and it really isn't even a noticeable thing. The circles (in the Toto) and the rectangles (in the model Kohler we have) have enough texture to prevent slips, but are far from uncomfortable in the least. FYI, our tub and pan are white, as are the grips. I use an original style Mr. Clean Magic eraser on the grips every so often to keep them as clean as day one.
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I've finally convinced my husband to rid the bathroom in our new house of the blue tub and floor and the wall tile that has been reglazed from pink to white but I've been having second thoughts about the tub. The wall tile is dingy and now the finish is peeling in places. It just looks awful. Honestly the tub is in decent condition, but it's blue. I can't stand the color and we're only going to rip all this stuff out once, so I need to decide - do I replace it or would it be totally crazy to reglaze it? I *think* it has already been reglazed once from pink to blue. If so, the finish has lasted since 1985 and looks totally fine. I just can't imagine that they replaced the tub at that time and reglazed the existing tile so it would seem as though the tub was also reglazed. I hate the mysteries that come with buying a house like this! Anyway, we are doing this remodel on a budget, but with the goal of increasing the value of our house. I want a decent tub that's going to be used for bathing kids and for everyday showers at least until we get the master bath done (possibly 6 months or so). It will be the only tub in the house, so a deeper tub would be nice. I don't think we can really afford a deeper cast iron tub, but will we disappointed with a less expensive acrylic tub? What should we look for and how much do we reasonably need to spend. Installation is diy with a licensed plumber in our family who is helping us. To give you an idea of where we are headed and why I think the blue tub has to go, the vanity, mirror and wall cabinet will be white (Lowes Chesapeake that I found for less than 1/2 price on clearance) with a stock HD beige granite vanity with the already attached undermount sink. Floor tile will be neutral as will the tile on the tub surround. We will replace the tile on the walls outside the tub surround with white beadboard. New toilet will be white.
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_sophiewheeler
8 years ago
Reglazing doesn't last but a few years before it starts to peel.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
8 years ago
I had my tub reglazed with a two-year warranty. That was 10 years ago. It has just started to peel around the drain and there is one 1/4" spot that must have been the result of a guest dropping something, but it never got any worse, so I didn't worry about it. The shower is used every day. Mostly, it still looks great.
enduring
8 years ago
I'd not refinish a tub in a remodel. I wouldnt want to risk having to replace a tub in 10 years do to peeling finish. Too much money goes into a remote to try to save on a tub IMO.

I wouldn't get a "steel" tub either. They are thin and I've read reports that they sing easily and pop their finish off.

Id get a cast iron tub. Will last forever. People have liked acrylic too, but not for me.
kats737
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I have the original 90 year old cast iron tub in our house. I remodeled and opted not to reglaze it because of the durability issues mentioned. There are a few nicks and a little thin spot from an old faucet wearing it down. I figure it is character.

we did get an antique sink reglazed to complete our suite. In this case the sink was in complete disrepair. I am not 100% thrilled. Even though it was done offsite there are still little imperfections what seem like an errant piece of fuzz under the finish.
bjb817
8 years ago
A plumber buddy of mine swears by cast iron tubs. Yes, they're more money and cost more to install, but they're still the most durable option out there. If at all possible, I'd pony up the $ and go with a new cast iron tub if the old one's beat up that bad.

Steel is about the cheapest you can go other than plastic. I'd not advise that. Definitely not as durable as cast iron and even some of the better acrylic ones out there.
monicakm_gw
8 years ago
We put Kohler steel tubs in this house when we built it 34 years ago. Unless steel (like most other things) isn't what it used to be, I'd buy it again. Mine was in great shape when it was replaced in 2007. My husband's steel tub wasn't as good as mine but darn good to be 34 years old. He wanted to replace it with steel but everyone said "don't do it!" so we went with cast iron. We considered reglazing but after much reading decided against it.
catbuilder
8 years ago
Cast iron, hands down no question. Kohler Villager at Home Depot and Lowes is $375.

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