One of the most common questions we hear is whether you can refinish a bathtub that has already been reglazed in the past. The short answer is yes, but proper preparation is extremely important.
Many tubs have been reglazed at least once before, especially in older homes, rentals, or apartments. Over time that older coating may start to peel, chip, bubble, or lift around the drain and edges. When this happens, a new coating can be applied, but the surface needs to be properly prepared first.
Remove Any Loose or Damaged Coating
Before refinishing, it's important to remove as much loose or lifting material as possible. Any areas where the old coating is peeling, bubbling, or separating from the tub should be scraped or sanded away. If these areas are left behind, the new coating will only stick to the failing layer underneath, which can cause future peeling.
The goal isn’t necessarily to remove every single bit of the previous reglazing, but anything that is not firmly bonded to the surface needs to go.
Sand the Surface Smooth and Level
After removing the loose material, the entire surface should be sanded so it becomes smooth and even to the touch. This step helps create a stable base for the new coating to bond to.
In most cases, a 100-220 grit works well to level the surface and feather out the edges where the old coating was removed. An orbital sander can make this step much faster and help achieve a more uniform finish.
Clean the Surface Thoroughly
Once sanding is complete, all dust and debris should be removed before applying a new coating. The surface can be vacuumed thoroughly, and we recommend cleaning the unit with all purpose Soft Scrub cleaner. A final wipe down with isopropyl alcohol is also great to remove any remaining contaminants. A clean surface is critical to ensure proper adhesion.
The Key to a Successful Refinish
Refinishing over old reglazing can work very well as long as the underlying surface is stable, smooth, and properly prepared. Taking the time to remove damaged areas and sand everything evenly will help the new coating bond correctly and produce a much better final result.
Skipping these preparation steps is one of the most common reasons refinishing projects fail, so it’s always worth taking the extra time to prep the surface properly before applying a new finish.