Hang on. I said in my first post that he COULD be right. I can't tell just from a photo whether or not this is installer error or bad caulk, and no offense, but whereas I can't physically inspect it or have the caulking tested, I prefer to give the installer the benefit of the doubt, unless there are other issues. Let me ask you-- in the pic where you show the caulking going up the corner, it LOOKS okay in that pic. Is it having the same issues as along the tub? One other thing to think about, with reference to your installer-- 90% of the complaints about inferior installers in here include the fact that they either didn't, or flat out refused to caulk. The fact that your installer DID caulk, tells me he's not as inferior as you're making him sound, unless again, as I asked, there are other issues.

would it help to actually screw studs (not attached to the frame holding up the tub) directly to the plywood prior to tiling? It seems that combining structural studs with the plywood would help the rigidity. I've thought about doing that. The only thing that makes me reluctant to try it is that would be more weight pulling at the back of the panel, in an "other than straight up and down force". Meaning that it would tend to pull in on the top of the panel, and conversely, push out on the bottom, which, over time, would weaken and subsequently tear the caulk joint, making the panel fail. Additionally, could a product like Ditra over the plywood help isolate flexing in the plywood? I don't think it would make a difference, and quite frankly, I haven't found a problem with plywood panels.

Old thread but no one mentioned that the refinishing process involves roughing up the surface so the white paint adheres - so even if paint was taken off entirely would still be in rough shape. Its really sad, esp since some low-information realtor probably advised the seller to do it under the mistaken idea that no one would like a pink tub. Au contraire.

I am with Kitchen Abode on the rubber mat issue. If you are willing to pick it up and it will dry after every use, then you can have one - ha! If you have a shower curtain with a tub, you will leave it inside the tub anyway, so it won't be in the way unless you get both a liner and a curtain. Instead, just get a plain or even decorative waterproof curtain and leave it inside. The caulk remover and the mold remover can make it so that the next caulk you put in will not adhere properly, so be sure to clean the surface really well before you caulk again. I did try using a tape caulk once and it was one ugly, moldy mess when I finally took it off. I never did find a way to stop the mold coming back on my caulk. It seemed to come from the back side, so I assumed the wall behind the tile was molding and it was "creeping" through. I solved the problem by removing the tub and the walls and putting in a big shower unit. No mold behind it, and no way for water to get behind the wall material (solid surface), either. With no "shoulder" as a tub has, I am hoping to never see mold again.