Vinegar! Soak paper towels with white vinegar, lay in the tub, cover with plasticw rap.....and let it sit for 24 hours......scrub with a plastic scrubbie. Linda C

I do love mine and I use it for a shower every day and it looks brand new after 1 year plus. Use the search box here for the words Archer tub and I think you'll find lots of compliments for that one by Kohler. When I had confusion with Swanstone I called the PR department phone number (or maybe emailed?) from their website and got great information about their materials. Try Kohler company headquarters to ask your question about acrylic grades. Here is a forum thread linked about the Archer tub. Here is a link that might be useful: discussion on Kohler tub

There are bathtub resurfacers and there is more than one application available. I have had bathtubs spray painted with epoxy which makes the bathtub look brand new. Contractors use it when a tub is chipped or whatever in the construction business, to "renew" the tub as it was when it was delivered to the site. I have had this done several times when I have started to sell a house. White tubs lose (all tubs) will lose their shine and it is because the porcelain/china is being removed secondary to use. It works very well if the people doing it know what they are doing but check referenes. I have seen some really awful jobs before and I have seen some beauties that were long-lasting and wonderful and much cheaper than buying a new tub and tearing yours out, retiling, etc.

Thanks all. I was looking at the Kohler cast iron at HomeDepot for $300 or so, it looks nice. The old tub, is actually in very good shape, it has no chips, but it does have some iron stains on the side. My thinking is that if I leave it, and have new tile around it, that I will be refinishing it every few years. If I buy the new iron tub, well hopefully I will get maybe 7 or 10 years out of it. I can have the old one professionally refinished for $350 but if I end up having to do that every few years, I'm not sure I want that hassle. I am having a hard time seperating my wants from what is a logical business decision. I'm learning with all your help. thanks.