Bathtub Liner or Other Solution?

CateP · 01-22-2016, 09:43 AM

Hi there. We have an older bathtub that was "refinished" by one of those companies that spray stuff on the surface. Most of it cured well, but the floor got water underneath and now it is peeling away revealing the old tan color underneath. We are on a tight budget and looking for solutions and contractors who can help. Any ideas are most welcome and appreciated.

TheProfessor · 01-24-2016, 02:24 PM

I'd start a savings account for a new bath tub.
I had this done myself on one tub.
The original old bath faucet began to leak. That was a trick to find the tiny rubber gasket that was causing the drip. No, the local hardware store did not have gasket. Nor did plumbing wholesalers. I did find one but took much research.
It works. But the fan the installer used captured dust particles in air and ended up on tub surface.

As for your tub. You will have to find an installer to obtain a professional opinion if this stuff can be sprayed again. Not the best solution.

Just get a large rubber bath mat to cover the bottom of tub.

And begin to add to that savings account for a new tub. And of course a new fixture.

brk-lnt · 01-24-2016, 03:30 PM

I also concur with just save up to do it right. I remodeled an entire bathroom (DIY) for only a few hundred more than what bathfitter wanted just to drop a liner over my existing tub.

I've never seen one of those single-day bathtub paint or liner "upgrades" that looked like it was worth the money. They always end up looking like a cover job, and rarely hold up over long-term.

ishoot308 · 01-24-2016, 03:40 PM

Cate,

Have to agree,...save your money and wait till you can do it right. Buy a new tub when the time is right and you won't regret it...

Dan

CateP · 01-26-2016, 03:51 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Just to clarify. Water got underneath the spray stuff on the surface of the tub, not underneath the actual tub. A small portion of the paint is peeling off revealing the older tan color beneath.

The tub and plumbing are in fine shape. The floor of the tub looks crappy.

TheProfessor · 01-26-2016, 05:12 PM

You have a couple of suggestions in postings above.

When the time comes to replace this old tub - get all new fixtures.
That's all.

Maybe you can find an installer of this stuff.
Maybe he/she can spray some more of this stuff. Done.

One issue is color match. Which may be impossible.
Another issue may be that installer will have to strip the bottom or where peeling. By this time you are into this process for big bucks.

There are also companies that put a new tub and/or tub surround over the old tub and tub surround. But check on those prices. Going piecemeal on this may not be the best method.

My bottom line is to get a mat. Live with it. Save for a new tub and new fixtures.

camp guy · 01-27-2016, 09:19 AM

Cate, Maybe you can find a color match with TV advertised Flex-Seal. It seems to me that according to the advertising for that product you could do most anything you want to your bathtub - after all, the Flex-Seal guy turns a screen door into luxury yacht.

brk-lnt · 01-27-2016, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp guy

Cate, Maybe you can find a color match with TV advertised Flex-Seal. It seems to me that according to the advertising for that product you could do most anything you want to your bathtub - after all, the Flex-Seal guy turns a screen door into luxury yacht.

That stuff is a major ripoff and would not stand up to something like a tub floor that gets walked on. For what you would spend on that "screen door boat" you could just about buy an actual yacht.

dpg · 01-28-2016, 12:15 PM

2.98 floor mat from Wally-Mart should do the trick for awhile.

CateP · 02-05-2016, 10:19 AM

Being the frugal New Englander that I am, we went with the floor mat for now. Tub surround cost was estimated around $5,000 from one company. $2500 from a local contractor. The house is being rented and eventually sold in a few years. Will re-visit the tub investment at that time.

01-22-2016, 09:43 AM	#1
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	Bathtub Liner or Other Solution? Hi there. We have an older bathtub that was "refinished" by one of those companies that spray stuff on the surface. Most of it cured well, but the floor got water underneath and now it is peeling away revealing the old tan color underneath. We are on a tight budget and looking for solutions and contractors who can help. Any ideas are most welcome and appreciated.

01-24-2016, 03:30 PM	#3
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,939 Thanks: 533 Thanked 568 Times in 334 Posts	I also concur with just save up to do it right. I remodeled an entire bathroom (DIY) for only a few hundred more than what bathfitter wanted just to drop a liner over my existing tub. I've never seen one of those single-day bathtub paint or liner "upgrades" that looked like it was worth the money. They always end up looking like a cover job, and rarely hold up over long-term. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

01-24-2016, 03:40 PM	#4
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,945 Thanks: 2,292 Thanked 4,953 Times in 1,920 Posts	Cate, Have to agree,...save your money and wait till you can do it right. Buy a new tub when the time is right and you won't regret it... Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

01-26-2016, 03:51 PM	#5
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	Clarification Thanks for all the replies. Just to clarify. Water got underneath the spray stuff on the surface of the tub, not underneath the actual tub. A small portion of the paint is peeling off revealing the older tan color beneath. The tub and plumbing are in fine shape. The floor of the tub looks crappy.

01-27-2016, 09:19 AM	#7
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 284 Thanked 482 Times in 272 Posts	Bathtub liner ... Cate, Maybe you can find a color match with TV advertised Flex-Seal. It seems to me that according to the advertising for that product you could do most anything you want to your bathtub - after all, the Flex-Seal guy turns a screen door into luxury yacht.

01-24-2016, 02:24 PM	#2
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,062 Thanks: 17 Thanked 326 Times in 198 Posts	I'd start a savings account for a new bath tub. I had this done myself on one tub. The original old bath faucet began to leak. That was a trick to find the tiny rubber gasket that was causing the drip. No, the local hardware store did not have gasket. Nor did plumbing wholesalers. I did find one but took much research. It works. But the fan the installer used captured dust particles in air and ended up on tub surface. As for your tub. You will have to find an installer to obtain a professional opinion if this stuff can be sprayed again. Not the best solution. Just get a large rubber bath mat to cover the bottom of tub. And begin to add to that savings account for a new tub. And of course a new fixture.

01-26-2016, 05:12 PM	#6
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,062 Thanks: 17 Thanked 326 Times in 198 Posts	You have a couple of suggestions in postings above. When the time comes to replace this old tub - get all new fixtures. That's all. Maybe you can find an installer of this stuff. Maybe he/she can spray some more of this stuff. Done. One issue is color match. Which may be impossible. Another issue may be that installer will have to strip the bottom or where peeling. By this time you are into this process for big bucks. There are also companies that put a new tub and/or tub surround over the old tub and tub surround. But check on those prices. Going piecemeal on this may not be the best method. My bottom line is to get a mat. Live with it. Save for a new tub and new fixtures.

The Following User Says Thank You to TheProfessor For This Useful Post:
Jersey Ed (01-27-2016)

01-28-2016, 12:15 PM	#9
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,560 Thanks: 149 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	2.98 floor mat from Wally-Mart should do the trick for awhile.

02-05-2016, 10:19 AM	#10
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	Floor Mat Being the frugal New Englander that I am, we went with the floor mat for now. Tub surround cost was estimated around $5,000 from one company. $2500 from a local contractor. The house is being rented and eventually sold in a few years. Will re-visit the tub investment at that time.