Are you still unlucky in finding the best tub refinishing kit? Or maybe you want a more durable upgrade that will give you peace of mind for years to come? Regardless of your reason, you’re in the right place.
For most, the tub is among the favorite spots to sit back and unwind after a long day. But it’s not indestructible. Over the years, it will wear, tear, and develop cracks. But for something that helps drown your sorrows, you want to keep it looking brand new. Well, repairs might do you some good, but they are expensive. Replacements, on the other hand, might cost a fortune. Refinishing your tub is perhaps the most cost-effective way.
The best bathtub refinishing kit won’t leave unsightly marks or peel off after a few years of use. Below is a roundup of the best DIY bathtub refinishing kits to consider.
10 Best Tub Refinishing Kit
Table of Contents
- 10 Best Tub Refinishing Kit
- 1. Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit
- 2. ArmoGlaze Bathtub Refinishing Kit
- 3. Bathworks DIY Bathtub & Tile Refinishing Kit
- 4. Magic Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit Spray-On Aerosol
- 5. Homax Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit
- 6. Rust-Oleum 7860519 Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit
- 7. Homax Aerosol Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit
- 8. RB 2-In-1 Tub and Tile Repair Kit
- Best Tub Refinishing Kit: Buying Guide
1. Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit
Ekopel 2K bathtub refinisher is from a pretty much new brand in the industry. Surprisingly, it beats most pioneers in the industry. It’s a 2-part tub refinishing kit. Hence, there’s some mixing to do. This refinisher has an application window of 60-90 minutes. Thus, you have all the time to yourself.
Once applied, it offers a white glossy full-sealing coat. And unlike spray-on coatings, it’s 20 times thicker. It never peels off with proper application, providing a life expectancy of 20 years. Also, it needs only 24 hours to cure.
Ekopel 2K rewards you with an easy-pouring method. But most impressive, it comes with accessories to make the process much easier. It includes a foam roller and scooper boxes. And to ensure you get it right, it includes a step-by-step video.
A double coat is recommended for best results. Though thicker, Ekopel 2K cures to only 1/8 inches. Hence, it looks more like a new tub liner.
So what surfaces is it best for?
Well, Ekopel 2K adheres to any bathtub surface. You can use it on cast iron, steel, ceramic, and fiberglass tubs.
Notably, this bathtub refinisher is odorless. So, it saves you the extra cost of respirators and exhaust systems. Even more, it doesn’t contain any toxic fumes. Hence, it’s safe both for you and your soaking bathtub.
Verdict
I like that this product is entirely odorless and chemical-free. And while a bit more on the expensive side, it provides an extremely durable, anti-peel finish. For that, I vote it the best.
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2. ArmoGlaze Bathtub Refinishing Kit
ArmoGlaze is a DIY-friendly tub refinisher. It guarantees professional results, even without the help of an expert.
Like Ekopel 2K, it’s a pour-on tub refinisher. It comes in two parts: enamel resin and hardener. Hence, it requires mixing before usage and is enough for a regular-sized bathtub. The mixture creates a self-adjusting solution. It welds into the tub surface, becoming an integral part of the original.
ArmoGlaze needs a double coat, which is 1/16 inches after curing. Though it cures in 24 hours, it continues to harden for up to 2 weeks. During the period, I’ll advise you don’t use products that have coloring effects. Some best recommendations include Tilex Daily Shower Cleaner and Clorox.
Once applied, ArmoGlaze leaves a white mirrored finish. It neither has marks nor lines. And with the right preparation, it’s guaranteed never to peel off. Also, to ensure flawless results, ArmoGlaze comes with a video tutorial.
It’s a pretty versatile tub refinisher. It adheres to different surfaces, including acrylic, metal, fiberglass, and cast iron.
Also, the product is odorless. As such, it saves you the cost of expensive ventilation systems. Again, it’s no-toxic for eco-friendly use.
Well, ArmoGlaze is a fully-loaded kit. It includes an etching cleaner for prepping purposes. Also, it comes with a comb and scrapping tool.
Verdict
ArmoGlaze is a durable, moisture-resistant refinishing agent. But I like it most for its thickness that can do two coatings without having to buy an extra kit. Also, it comes with a load of accessories.
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3. Bathworks DIY Bathtub & Tile Refinishing Kit
Most tub refinishers come in white. Well, Bathworks goes out of its way to gives you more color choices. Aside from white, it comes in almond, black, red, bone, and biscuit. So, regardless of the color of your tub, Bathworks has something for you.
No matter the color, you get a high resin finish with an intense gloss.
Bathworks is a 2-part resin that provides a porcelain-like finish. With the right preparation, it doesn’t crack, peel, or yellow. The mixture covers 60 square feet. Hence, it’s ideal for an average-sized tub. But for a full-sized tub and wall, you’ll need two kits.
Well, Bathworks creates a double coat that’s only 1/8 inches thick. Such an ultra-thin layer provides a seamless appearance that looks like the original. Also, it needs 24 hours to cure. This bathtub refinisher is recommended for porcelain and ceramic surfaces. But it can also be used on other bathroom surfaces, such as fiberglass, marble, and plastic.
One thing I like about this bathtub refinisher is that it creates a non-slip finish. So, it provides non-skid performance, particularly on wet surfaces.
Bathworks tub refinisher includes everything you need. There’s the paint, hardener, base coating, and painting tools. Among other things, it comes with gloves and sandpaper. It’s pretty much the best complete package you can get.
Verdict
It’s not as eco-friendly. However, it doesn’t contain a lot of Volatile Organic Compounds. But its strong-point is in the non-slip additive. If you want a non-slip texture, Bathworks is the best choice.
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4. Magic Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit Spray-On Aerosol
Pour-on tub refinishers are pretty effective. But all the mixing and application can take valuable time. Well, this spray-on aerosol saves you time and restores tub life to your old tub.
Unlike pour-on tub refinishers, Magic Tub aerosol is a one-part formula. Hence, no mixing is required.
Magic Tub has a 360-degree spray valve. Hence, you can use it even at tighter angles. So, it’s easier to access hard-to-reach areas.
This tub refinisher rewards you with a bright white epoxy finish. You can use it on fiberglass, porcelain, acrylic, and ceramic surfaces.
It’s not as thick as pour-on tub refinishers. For this reason, it provides superior coverage. It can do 35-45 square feet, enough for an average-sized tub. You’ll need two coats, with 30 minutes between the first and second coats.
Moreover, this spray-on aerosol uses a high-performance formula. Because of that, it can stand up to prolonged exposure to moisture.
This spray-on aerosol doesn’t come with extras. You’ll need to buy a masking tape and sanding tool for prepping purposes. Though an extra expense, it’s not a huge deal.
Verdict
The spray-on, one-part design makes it one of the easiest tub refinishing agents to apply. If you want to go easy and save time, Magic Tub spray-on tub refinisher is a good choice.
5. Homax Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit
Homax tub refinisher provides a durable, protective finish to keep your tub beautiful for years.
It’s a pour-on tub refinisher. But unlike other models, it comes in one part. Hence, it saves you the time and effort required in mixing. Also, it takes the guesswork out of the whole process.
Homax tub refinisher doesn’t drip or sag. Instead, it provides superior flow and a deep-sealing coat that’s free of brush marks.
This tub refinisher is so effective that you only need one coat. And at 1/16 inches thick, it looks more like a new tub liner. Notably, this tub refinisher has a coverage of 55 square feet.
It leaves a high-gloss porcelain finish. Also, this tub refinisher offers wide-range compatibility with different bathroom surfaces. It works on fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain, and acrylic surfaces.
At 48 hours, the curing time is double that of most pour-on tub refinishers. Nonetheless, the end result is worth the long wait.
The kit includes other accessories, such as steel wool, brush, prep cleaner, and gloves. Once unpacked, it’s ready to go.
Verdict
I like the Homax tub and tile refinishing kit for its simplicity. You don’t have to do any mixing. Moreover, you only need a single coat to get the job done. It’s among the best value tub refinishing kits.
6. Rust-Oleum 7860519 Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit
Rust-Oleum tub refinisher gives your tub a smooth, porcelain-like finish. Also, this is one tub refinisher that comes in a variety of color choices. You can settle for almond, biscuit, or white finish.
It’s a pour-on 2-part epoxy acrylic formula. Hence, you have to mix and apply within a timeline of 6 hours.
I’ll advise you do two coats for best performance, waiting 1-2 hours in between. Each kit has a coverage of 110 square feet. That’s enough coverage for a standard-sized bathtub.
The curing time is three days. Though a bit longer, it rewards you with a waterproof surface. Also, it’s durable enough to withstand corrosion.
Rust-Oleum epoxy acrylic doesn’t peel off, even on exposure to warm water. Compared to standard epoxy, it’s up to 30 times water-resistant.
This tub refinisher allows for flexible application. You can settle for a brush, roller, or sprayer. Again, it’s self-leveling. As such, it won’t leave brush marks.
Rust-Oleum works with most bathroom surfaces. You can use it on acrylic, porcelain, ceramic, fiberglass, and cast iron.
Well, this tub refinisher has s strong scent. Hence, I recommend you use it in an adequately ventilated area. You can open the windows or use a fan to circulate the air.
Verdict
Rust-Oleum takes more time to dry. However, you can’t beat its water and corrosion-resistant performance. It’s by far the best tub refinishing kit for acrylic bathtubs.
7. Homax Aerosol Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit
This kit provides the toughness of the Homax tub refinisher. But unlike the pour-on version, it’s a whole lot easier to apply on the tub surface. It’s a one-part spray-on tub refinisher. So, there isn’t any mixing to be done. Instead, it’s ready to go out of the box.
The spray-on design allows you to use little but cover more area. It provides an ultra-thin coat but with a hard, protective high-gloss porcelain finish. And you achieve this at a fraction of the time you would have spent on other tub refinishers.
The spray tip is thoughtfully designed to eliminate finger fatigue. Hence, it’s easier for seniors as well as arthritis patients.
Well, the curing time for this tub refinisher is 48 hours. Its new, improved formula works on different surfaces. You can apply it on acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, laminate, and fiberglass surfaces.
Homax aerosol tub refinisher is available in two colors: white and bisque. Aside from the paint, it includes other accessories to make your work easier. You get surface prep cleaner, steel wool, and gloves.
Verdict
Homax aerosol is another excellent spray-on tub refinisher. Again, if you want the ease of application, this product is an excellent choice.
8. RB 2-In-1 Tub and Tile Repair Kit
Most pour-on tub refinishers require you to mix two parts. However, getting the parts right can be quite tricky. Well, this is one tub refinisher that takes the guesswork out of the whole process.
It has a brilliant 2-in-1 design. Well, there are two tubes, but both use the same plunger. Hence, you have a one-to-one ratio part of each tube at once.
Notably, it comes with a mixing stick and tray. Once you have one part of each tube, you only mix for 10-20 seconds, and you’ll be good to go.
This tub refinisher leaves a white ceramic finish on bathroom surfaces. It requires two coats applied within 30 minutes of each other. Also, to prevent it from thickening, you have to apply within 5 minutes of mixing.
Well, the manufacturer doesn’t specify the curing time. But once set, this tub refinisher rewards you with a smooth waterproof surface.
While it doesn’t have an unpleasant smell, I recommend you use it in a well-ventilated area. It adheres to most bathroom surfaces, such as acrylic, fiberglass, ceramic, and enamel.
Furthermore, this tub refinisher is toxic-free. Hence, it’s safe for you and the environment.
Verdict
Are you the type that dreads the extra work of mixing and getting the parts right? If so, this is the best product for you.
Best Tub Refinishing Kit: Buying Guide
Tub Material
Not all bathtubs are made the same. They come in a choice of different materials. Also, each type of refinishing kit has a specific material that is best for. So, good compatibility with the tub material is essential.
Among the most popular materials that work best with tub refinishing kits include cast iron, porcelain, fiberglass, ceramic, and acrylic. Also, some go the extra mile to work on laminate surfaces. Luckily, manufacturers list compatible materials for the different tub refinishing kits. Thus, I recommend that you check before you buy it.
Coverage
Quantities are often limited. Hence, you need to consider how much area a particular refinishing kit covers. In most cases, manufacturers include square foot coverage. So, measure the area of your tub to see if the paint will be enough.
Notably, most walk-in bathtubs need two coats for the best result. Hence, in some cases, you might need to double on the product. After all, it’s better to have a surplus than run out of paint. If need be, you can seek expert advice to ensure you get more value for your money. Often, coverage depends on the thickness and quality of the product.
Thickness
Thickness and texture are a major concern. Mostly, it determines the number of coats you’re going to apply.
A substantially thick product might not provide as much coverage. However, it needs fewer coats to provide an excellent finish. Thinner refinishers, on the other hand, stretch to greater distances, providing more coverage. However, it requires more coats to provide a good finish.
Some of the best bathtub refinishing kits have a thickness of 1/8 inches. They can give a smooth, superior finish in just one coat. Though it requires two coats, a thickness of 1/16 inches is also an excellent choice.
Curing Time
Curing time or drying time largely depends on the thickness and quality of the product. In most cases, it ranges from 2-3 days. However, some dry completely in 24 hours.
Aside from the quality and thickness of the product, drying time also depends on the number of coats. If you apply two coats, you’ll need to wait for the first to dry before applying the second. So, the more the number of coats, the more the time it will take to dry.
Eco-friendliness
Aim for a product that’s safe for the environment. Also, your body is going to be in close contact with the tub’s surface. Hence, it should also be safe for your health.
But what makes an eco-friendly tub refinishing kit?
It should not have toxic fumes that are harmful to humans, plants, and animal life. But if you find it impossible to get an entirely chemical-free product, settle for ones that have minimum concentrations.
A good number of tub refinishers are odorless. But in the case of a strong smell, I recommend you use it in a well-ventilated bathroom. You can rely on natural ventilation from openings. Also, you can settle for artificial ventilation, such as exhaust systems and fans.
Color
Bathtub refinishing kits come in a wide assortment of colors. It ranges from white, neutral to darker shades. Also, you can get them in black.
White and neutral shades are most preferred for their versatility. They complement a large number of products, including tiles and sinks. Though not as popular, other colors provide a brilliant décor statement.
Texture
Tub refinishing kits are not only available in a large number of colors. They also come in a wide variety of textures.
You can get them in different glazes finishes, including mirror and satin. But it doesn’t end there. You also have other options, such as high-gloss porcelain, stainless steel, and white ceramic.
Ease of Application
Of course, you want a product that you can apply all by yourself. After all, you don’t want to incur extra service fees. To achieve that, aim for products that are sag and drip-resistant for mess-free results. Also, ensure the kit includes application tools to make the job easier.
Some tools to look for include rollers, brush applicators, leveling comb, and sprayer. Notably, spray-on tub refinishers are the easiest to apply and might not require as many tools.
Extras
Aside from application tools, you’ll need extras such as prepping tools. So, a kit that has buffers, steel wool, or sandpaper is a plus. In the case of chemical additives or stains, it’s also good to have a kit that includes gloves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: What’s the best tub refinishing kit?
Answers: All products on the list meet the mark for the best bathtub refinishing kit. However, the top spot goes to Ekopel 2K. It has a modified coating that doesn’t peel off. Also, the product is entirely eco-friendly.
Question: What’s the best tub and tile refinishing kit?
Answer: Ekopel 2K is the best for tub applications. But for a versatile product that accommodates both tubs and tiles, Rust-Oleum 7860519 is easily the best. It rewards you with a hard, corrosion-resistant finish.
Question: Is professional service essential in tub refinishing?
Answer: To save you the extra cost, I recommend DIY tub refinishing. But it’s only advisable as long as you’re using eco-friendly products. In the case of harmful products that might cause serious concern, I’ll advise you to seek professional service. However, you can get away with it by adopting safety measures. These include using face masks and gloves.
Question: How long does a tub refinisher last?
Answer: The longevity depends primarily on the quality of the refinishing agent. With proper prepping, care, and maintenance, it can last 10-15 years. However, there are some that last even longer.
Question: Which products are recommended for cleaning a refinishing tub?
Answer: I’ll advise that you use a mild cleaner and rinse thoroughly with water afterward. Overall, you should avoid abrasive or harsh chemical cleaners. Likewise, keep off cleaners that contain acids or bleaching agents.
Question: How long can one take to refinish a bathtub?
Answer: It depends entirely on your speed and the thickness of the refinishing agent. Thin, spray-on tub refinishers, for instance, take less time than pour-on refinishers for the same number of coats.
Conclusion
Giving your old, cracked tub a brand-new look doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It’s as simple as applying a tub refinishing agent, a process that you can do yourself. So far, I’ve listed the best tub refinishing kits to consider. Hence, it’s a matter of sifting through and picking the best for your needs and budgets.