Pour-On Method (Bathtub Refinishing)

Getting that result is all in the preparation. Before any enamel goes on, we:

• Strip the old surface

  We sand the tub down to the base material — often with a drill and sanding disc to speed it up — and repair any chips and cracks along the way. The surface is roughened just enough for the new enamel to grip and bond tightly.

• Clean and degrease

  We clear out all dust and debris, wash the tub thoroughly, degrease it with a special solution, and dry it completely. Only once every prep step is done do we start applying.

• Apply the enamel — poured, not sprayed

  We pour the enamel on by hand, starting along the top edge and working down the sides, taking care to cover every corner. No brushes or rollers — they leave behind lint and bristles. Once the surface is fully covered, we draw off any excess so the self-leveling material settles into one smooth, even, snow-white finish.

Durability. Pour-on goes on as a thick, flexible layer that resists peeling, cracking, chipping, and impact. It routinely lasts 10–15 years or more. Spray-on is a much thinner coat and usually starts losing its shine within a year or two — roughly 5 to 7 times shorter than pour-on.

Cost. Spray-on is cheaper up front, so on paper it looks like the bargain. But because pour-on lasts several times longer, it’s the better value over the years — you reglaze once instead of redoing a spray finish again and again. That’s the one trade-off, and it’s an easy one: a little more now for a finish that actually lasts.

Time & smell. Pour-on is a single application — about 3–4 hours, ready in 24. Spray-on takes longer (multiple coats, each drying between passes) and the spray often carries a strong chemical smell that forces you out of the house. Our pour-on enamel is solvent-free, so there are no solvent fumes and virtually no smell — no need to leave.