bathtub refinishing coatings and cost

You will find the price of bathtub refinishing in Dallas TX to fluctuate from $150 (please don't do this, It cost more in supplies than this to do a bathtub the correct way) to over $800. Bathtub, tile and shower refinishing is not a quick paint job that you can let dry an extra day or two and be set.
The sad truth is a black cloud is being cast over our industry by the inferior epoxy and 2 part urethane paints being used.
Residential quality refinishing has to be a long term solution. Something that the home owner can use on a daily basis and stay looking great for years to come.
This is accomplished by using only the highest grade materials.

Remember with refinishing or as it is sometimes called resurfacing, you are having a new surface integrated into the old surface. The last thing you want is a "water resistant" paint layered on top of your old surface. This is why so many bathtub painting projects end in a peeling mess. The reason is not very complicated when you think about it. Epoxy and urethane paints are water resistant. They are not meant to be used in areas that produce a lot of moisture and especially hot water. That is asking a lot out of a paint. The second reason is when the surface is used with hot water condensation forms between the original surface and the paint. This condensation will literally peel the paint off in sheets. [see the video below]

So you have seen what I see on a .. I wont say weekly but I will say monthly basis. The truth is the correct coatings have to be used and this so much more than just a specific coating. Although the copolymer coating is what the customer sees on top and sure that seems to get all the credit. You will find that true bathtub refinishing is a Synergistic cumulative effect. First the original surface has to be etched. This is the process of creating microscopic scratches and pores in the old surface. Next is a product called silane. Silane was developed by the aerospace industry. The reason is because it uses moisture as a catalyst to chemically weld the new surface and the old surface together. (remember how the video above showed what happens when condensation forms under the new surface). Silane like many other things comes in different grades. From low grade to very high quality. I use the very high quality 2 part silane solution so it is not premixed when I receive it and possibly weakened by the heat, cold or age. The finish coat is a copolymer coating infused with polyester and silicone resin that closely mimics the look and feel of porcelain. Other things happen because of the high quality coating that you may not have even considered. Such as these are low V.O.C coatings that cannot grow mildew and algae!  Non yellowing, will not become brittle, will not fade, crack or peel! A life expectancy of 20 + years with a 2 year limited warranty! Get pictures, information, F.A.Q., Pricing and more at Dallas Bathtub Refinishing Services 

The question can be answered from the point of a customer asking "How much does it cost to have a bathtub refinished in the Dallas,Tx. area.
It can also be taken as a question by either a customer or a professional possibly wanting to know how to price a bathtub refinishing job. Simply wondering How much does it cost in material to refinish a bathtub?
Johnny Yarbrough
(Owner)

From the point of a customer I can tell you that you will definitely get what you pay for.
I have always tried to offer packages so suite the needs of my customers. Not feeling proud of the fact that I was offering less than my very best product for the discounted prices I offered but competing with those professionals that were merely painting a bathtub or tile to get it ready for the house or apartment to lease or sale. This is why on the low side you will see bathtub refinishing prices around $250 to $300. These tubs refinished at these prices are impossible to correctly refinish. I have learned in my more established years to loose the work. To simply pass on it.
972-391-7994

Let me explain what goes into refinishing bathtub and tile the correct way which is often called RESIDENTIAL QUALITY REFINISHING so it is a permanent fix and not just a painted fixture that will start failing sooner than later.
Lets start with the process I use and this process is also outlined on my price list page
I start by using a chemical rinse (undiluted) to wash the surfaces of any oil or soap residue.
During this process I will be wearing a charcoal respirator.
Next using a woven spun fiber disc called an etching stone I apply a mild abrasion which operates at 2600 RPM. This creates microscopic scratches and pores into the old surface.
Next is another washing of the surface with the chemical wash (undiluted) to not only remove the loose dust particles but to remove any oils that would have gotten on the surface through skin contact (oils from the skin will not allow proper bonding) Now it's time to use a molecular bonding agent (undiluted) which cost $335/quart! It is the very best on the market and you can not be afraid to skimp on this part. first application is mopped on so it can be worked in a circular pattern then switched up to left / right and top to botom scrubbing to work this solution deep into the pores and scratches cause by the etching process. At this point The Bathtub or Tile being refinishing would look relatively untouched to the untrained eye. However, in actual cost there is approximately $135.00 in product used so far. Also time wise about one hour has passed and maybe even an hour and a half.  all the time working and wearing the charcoal respirator. Now, is the time to use the dry air heat to dry the molecular bonding agent so there are not any "wet" areas that dilute the finish coating that is about to be applied. 
After everything has dried to a matte finish a small amount of molecular bonding agent is applied to cheese cloth and worked into an area about 8" X 8" the is flash dried but just before the drying process is completed the first coat of flouropolymer coating is laid down on the area. These 8"X8" areas are worked across the entire surface until the entire surface has one coat. This is allowed to air dry so it is drawn into the pores created through etching. I know have a great base to start building on and will lay down 2 more layers of Fluoropolymer coating before air drying the entire surface using the super heated air of the H.V.L.P. applicator. The air passing out of this machine is heated so no moisture can pull through and hit the freshly coated area. At this point I have about $155 to $170.00 of product on the bathtub ... you can easily see how those with the intentions of doing inferior jobs would want to use cheaper paint, Diluted products and still technically call it refinishing. In fact I could stop at this point (which is what the apartment grade work would be and to be honest since the products are used at strength it is still much better than most apartment grade refinishing). However, for Residential Quality this is the point in time that I would flash dry the coatings and using more of the prohesion molecular bonding agent I wipe the entire surface down again. Yes it adds an easy $50 in supply cost but allows the coating to melt giving me a nice smooth base and allowing the last layer to melt into the next layer That is being applied. It is only being built up about 2mm in thickness during this entire process but by crosslinking the coatings I am building a very strong, good looking surface for my customer and coming in with a profit of just under $200 for the standard size bathtub. Through experience I have been able to do this entire process in about (3) hours. This gives my customer a very durable, glossy, smooth surface and makes the fixture look and feel new again for far less than replacement. 972-391-7994
Yes many of the steps could be diluted and corners cut but all that will do is cause trouble and provide an inferior job. Keeping in mind that with residential quality yields permanent solutions when it is completed in a synergistic way that integrates the new surface into the old surface. Restoring the bathtub and tile to a like new finish. Price List
Bathtub Refinishing Dallas

Last Updated August-2017
You will find all of the packages below are specials (Cash or Credit Card). I never have hidden fees EVER. It simply will not happen even if you think your tub is ugly, rusted with holes or cracks you never have to worry about being charged extra. I do ask that you bring any known issues to my attention so I can make sure to schedule extra time if need be and have to correct product on my truck. It will NOT make the price go up all it will do is make sure I bring what is needed to complete your project.
    The odor is not like the epoxy coatings of the 1990's. This is LOW V.O.C. coating but it will have a nail salon smell while I am working. This odor dissipates rapidly when completed and is usually completely gone within (1) hour of completion.
 Being an owner / operated company means I bring my experience from 1992 until present to you. With each bathtub, shower, tile or vanity project I do. Dallas Bathtub Aces
Dallas Bathtub Pros

I will strive to exceed your every expectation. Being a small company I have to! I cannot afford to operate on the marketing budget of the large companies. In return, I can keep prices low and my customers know the owner is doing the work. The owner is going to be in your home and not 2 or 3 day laborers that are here today and gone tomorrow.

When your bathtub, tile, shower, shower pan or vanity is either worn out or just uglied out then it's time to make the surface look new again!
Why replace? Did you know professional refinishing will give you a permanent solution for a 70% savings! You can actually know the exact price right down to the penny! I offer a flat rate price list to be as transparent as possible. After being in business since 1991. I know how much coating and time it is going to take to refinish a standard size bathtub. There is no reason to have a salesman come into your home to act like your tub is in worse shape then it is or feed off the energy that you think your bathroom is in bad shape just to have them up the price. I personally don't like that happening to me and I have never operated my business like that! I live and work in the Dallas area and I not only want you to refer me to other people I need you to be so satisfied with the work and price that you tell your friends and family about me! I'm a small owner / operated business and I simply can not afford to advertise like the big franchise companies. I also don't have the overhead of those companies so I can offer the best price and not have to rush or try to meet a quota!
Please see my Flat rate prices and learn more by going to:
Bathtub refinishing Dallas Prices

You will find that Dallas area Bathtub Refinishing varies based on the overhead cost of each company, The companies ability to do work the correct way and stay in business and the number of employees a company uses. However, in the refinishing industry I am sorry to say the employees are usually day laborers, between job painters or sub contractors at best.
The common sense rule applies here just like any service business. If the cost of the project has to be split between a subcontractor, day laborer or even employee and the owner then the price has to reflect that extra charge. If the company is operating out of a building or office space then that job has to then be split between the owner, the worker, the rent for the building and other expenses of maintaining equipment.
I have been in business since 1992.  I still complete all work myself. I keep my overhead low by driving a 4 cylinder work truck that is paid for. I office out of my home because (why pay rent on an office when #1) I am always working and #2) I can get a partial tax write off with a home office!) I know, I know, when I was younger I had an office, I had a couple of guys working and I had headaches that Tylenol could not take away. My guys vehicle problems were my problem, my guys needing a payday loan was my problem, my guys having a bad day..... yes that too was my problem. Well, with age comes a little wisdom and I soon figured out I could actually charge less, make the same amount of money and eliminate my headaches by simply doing the work myself, eliminating wasted spending, purchasing a 4 cylinder work truck with over 23MPG and purchasing my coatings by the case instead of the gallon!