Pour-on bathtub refinishing: how it works
We do not spray. The coating is poured over the tub by hand. It is slower for us and uses more material — and that is exactly why the finish is thicker, smoother and longer-lived.
- One thick, self-leveling layer
- No overspray and no odor
- The only method we use, since 2013
Let the coating do what liquid does
A spray gun breaks a coating into fine droplets and builds up a finish in thin passes. Much of it never reaches the tub: it hangs in the air as mist and settles on whatever is nearby.
Pouring works the other way. A thick coating is poured along the rim of the tub. Gravity carries it down the walls in a continuous curtain. It levels itself, closes over the repairs, and collects at the bottom, where it is spread evenly across the floor of the tub.
Nothing is thinned for a spray gun and nothing is lost to the air. All of the material ends up where it belongs — on the tub — which is why a poured finish is so much thicker than a sprayed one.
What you notice afterwards
- A deep, wet-looking gloss
- No orange-peel texture, no dust specks
- A smooth floor that is easy to wipe clean
- Rounded, well-covered edges at the drain and rim
- No haze of overspray on tile, glass or fixtures
The same four stages on every tub
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Sand the whole tub
The entire tub is ground and sanded, not just the bad spots. Old caulk, loose coating and rust come off, and the new finish gets a surface it can grip.
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Deep-clean and dry
The tub is etched, washed, neutralized and washed again, then dried completely — seams included — and wiped down with alcohol. Nothing is left between the tub and the coating.
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Seal, repair, mask
New flexible caulk goes around the tub, chips and rust spots are repaired, and the tile, floor and fixtures are masked.
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Pour the coating
The coating is poured along the rim. It runs down the walls, levels itself and closes over the caulk line into one seamless white layer. 24 hours later the tub is ready.
Pour-on vs. spray reglazing
| Pour-on (what we do) | Spray reglazing | |
|---|---|---|
| How it goes on | Poured by hand along the rim; it flows down the walls and levels itself | Atomized through a spray gun in several thin coats |
| Thickness | One thick, dense layer — much thicker than a sprayed finish | Thin film, built up coat by coat |
| In your home | No spray mist, and the coating is odorless | Overspray and strong fumes; fans and ducting to a window |
| Surface | Smooth and glossy, no orange peel, no dust specks trapped in mist | Depends on the gun and the room; texture and specks are common |
| Wear | A thick layer has material to spare against cleaning and daily use | A thin film is quicker to wear through and to peel at the drain |
| Ready to use | 24 hours | Usually 24–48 hours |
Why it suits Valley homes
Three local conditions make the case for a thick, smooth finish.
Very hard water
Valley tap water is loaded with minerals. Scale grips rough and porous surfaces; a dense, glossy finish gives it much less to hold.
Hard water and tubsClosed-up, air-conditioned houses
For half the year windows stay shut. An odorless method with no spray mist matters more here than almost anywhere.
Solid mid-century tubs
Phoenix grew up in the 1950s–70s, and those houses got steel and cast iron tubs. They are exactly what this method was made for.
Steel tub refinishingAbout the pour-on method
Is the coating paint?
No. It is a professional coating that cures into a hard, non-porous layer many times thicker than paint. Hardware-store “tub and tile” kits are a thin brushed or sprayed film and behave very differently.
Why do most companies spray, then?
Speed and cost. Spraying uses less material and a tub can be coated in minutes. Pouring takes more product and more hands-on work per tub.
Does the poured coating run or sag?
It is designed to flow and then hold. We control it by hand while it levels, and it sets into an even layer.
How long before I can use the tub?
24 hours.
Does the temperature in my house matter?
Normal air-conditioned or heated room temperature is ideal. In summer, simply keep the AC running as usual while the finish cures.
Send a photo. Get a real price today.
No home visit needed for a quote. A photo of the tub is enough for us to confirm the price and offer a date.
- Text a photo of your tub to (602) 733-0000, or use the form.
- We confirm the price — $475 for a standard tub — and a day.
- One visit of about 3 hours. The tub is ready to use 24 hours later.