Bathtub Refinishing Warranty Scams (Real Proof Inside)

Real Proof That Bathtub Refinishing Warranties Can Be a Scam

In this video from University Park, TX, I was called in after another bathtub refinishing company refused to honor their “limited warranty.” The customer was told the chip would be repaired under warranty for an additional $175, then the company stopped returning her calls. The tub had been refinished only about two months earlier.

When I sanded around the damaged area, I could tell immediately it was standard epoxy paint. The smell, the way it cut, and how quickly it sanded down made it obvious. I matched their shade of white, then blended a liquid porcelain + polyester resin repair so the touch-up would be far more durable than the rest of the coating they left behind.

This is one example of why I say many long refinishing warranties are gimmicks, not real protection for the homeowner.

Why So Many Bathtub Refinishing Warranties Sound Great… but Protect the Company, Not You

On the surface, a “5-year” bathtub refinishing warranty sounds amazing. The average homeowner hears the words “five year warranty” and assumes they are covered. But once you read the fine print, you find out that:

Almost anything you do can be used as a reason to void the warranty.
The warranty often covers only adhesion and excludes real-world problems.
Specialty cleaners are required — and they are expensive.
Simple, fixable issues like small chips become excuses to walk away.

Below is an anonymized example of a real “limited warranty” used by many refinishing companies in the Dallas TX area. I copied it from their PDF so homeowners can see what they are really agreeing to. Names and brand-specific cleaner details have been removed, but the wording and logic are ecactly the same.

A Real-World Bathtub Refinishing Warranty (Anonymized)

Competition's Warranty Comparison:
“The Limited Warranty covers only the failure of adhesion. The following incidents or practices can damage or degrade a refinished surface and will void the warranty.”

Chips, scratches, or other impact damage from sharp or falling objects, whether accidental or intentional, that degrade or damage the surface will void the warranty.
The use of chemicals, hair dyes, or products such as hydrogen peroxide that can stain or damage the finish will void the warranty.
Surfaces remaining continuously wet (from items left in the tub, improper drainage, leaking or dripping plumbing, or standing water for extended periods) will void the warranty. (Any bathmats automatically void the warranty.)
Any movement in the substructure that causes movement in the refinished surface or grout lines, resulting in cracks or splits, will void the warranty.
Any activity or use that is not the “normal intended use” of the fixture or surface, as recommended by the original manufacturer, will void the warranty.
Care and cleaning that does not follow their special Care & Cleaning Instructions will void the warranty. The only recommended cleaner is their own specialty cleaner you have to buy — and other cleaners void the warranty.

On top of that, the fine print adds:
“Do not use abrasive cleansers, harsh acids, or cleaners that contain bleach, vinegar, or citrus cleaners. These materials can discolor or damage the surface causing premature wear. This will void the warranty.”

The only cleaner allowed is a specialty product you must purchase from them — it runs about $25 per gallon. If you use anything else, the warranty can be declared VOID.

When you read through a warranty like this, you quickly see why I call these long warranties gimmicks. With this type of fine print, how is that peace of mind? To me, almost everything seems to void the warranty. The average customer hears “5 year warranty” and thinks they are covered — only to find out the opposite when something goes wrong.

This isn’t a cheap, one-man operation using this language. This came from a top-dollar refinishing company that other professionals copy because they are considered a “leader” in bathtub refinishing. Now I understand why I see so many tubs with small chips that “aren’t covered.” The warranty was already voided on paper.

What a Real Bathtub Refinishing Warranty Should Look Like

A real warranty shouldn’t be designed to fail. It should:

Be written in plain language you can actually understand.
Cover normal, everyday use without dozens of hidden traps.
Be backed by someone who will actually show up if there is a problem.
Be supported by a coating system strong enough to be repaired, not abandoned.

My warranty has been the same since 2003. I am owner-operated, I do not use subcontractors, and if there is an issue, I handle it personally.

You can read my full warranty here: Dallas Bathtub Refinishing Warranty (unchanged since 2003) .

Cheap Coatings + Gimmick Warranties = Frustrated Homeowners + Terrible For Our Entire Industry

Most of these complicated warranties exist because the coating system itself is weak. Standard epoxy paint jobs and acrylic urethane paints don’t hold up to daily use, cleaners, or small impacts the way a properly bonded polyester porcelain glaze system does (see my tensile strength test below).

My process focuses first on the science:

Deep cleaning and Moisture Scavenger prep.
Proper etching so the surface is opened correctly.
A multi-silane Fusion Lock™ bonding system.
High-strength polyester porcelain glaze with excellent tensile strength.
Hand-applied restoration from an owner who has been doing this for over 30 years.

When the coating is engineered to last, the warranty doesn’t need gimmicks. It’s there for your protection — not as a marketing tool.

Want an Honest Quote and a Real Warranty?

If you’ve been burned by a “too good to be true” bathtub refinishing warranty or you’re just trying to avoid one, I’m happy to help.

Text me a picture of your tub for an exact quote:
Dallas Bathtub Refinishing • 972-391-7994

Tensile Strength Matters — And Cheap Refinishing Can’t Compete

One reason cheap bathtub refinishing companies hide behind complicated warranties is because their coatings don't have the strength to survive normal use. The average epoxy paint job has very low tensile strength, which is why it chips, peels, and flakes so easily.

My porcelain glaze and multi-silane Fusion Lock™ bonding system delivers measured tensile strength of 67.85 MPa — the same performance level found in industrial-grade baked-on coatings.

This is why I don’t need a long, tricky warranty full of “void” clauses. I don't look to void your warranty, for me it's a past customer that deserves a discount if an accident happens.

See my tensile strength test and comparison here.

Tensile Strength: 67.85 MPa (≈9,840 psi) — Is that good?

Coating Type	Typical Tensile Strength (MPa)	Notes
Standard Epoxy (2-part)	30–50	Softer feel; moisture and yellowing risk over time.
Acrylic Urethane (iso-cured)	40–60	Glossy; flexible; humidity-sensitive long term.
Powder Coat (poly/epoxy hybrid)	55–70	Tough; requires ~350–400 °F oven cure.
Factory Porcelain Enamel	65–90	Glass-ceramic fused at 1400 °F+; very hard, can chip if struck.
Silane/Ceramic Hybrid Glaze (e.g., Fusion Lock™)	65–75+	Self-etch adhesion + silane bonding; porcelain-hard with impact forgiveness.
Your Tested Coating	67.85 MPa	✅ In the porcelain-class range — excellent real-world durability.

What it means: High resistance to cracking or pulling apart under stress.
Homeowner upside: Better long-term adhesion, fewer edge chips, stable gloss after cure.
Context: Numbers are typical ranges; actual performance also depends on prep, bonding, and cure.

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