Dallas Bathtub Refinishing Services - F.A.Q.

Q.) Do you remove the drain or replace hardware?

A.) I do not remove the drain. Or change out any hardware (this creates a liability for leakage and damage) Removal is not necessary since the new surface is chemically bonded to the old surface. I need a drain installed to properly prep the tubs surface. The drain, overflow and hardware will be masked off and the new surface is chemically bonded up against it, it will not come up around the drain and you can not tell at all. Please keep in mind if installing a new drain that a plumber may have to heat it up with a torch to loosen any corrosion or rust so please do this before refinishing.

If Installing new hardware, I recommend installing any new hardware before the tub is refinished. Removing the drain can break the drainage pipe it screws into. If this happens on a slab foundation the tub has to be jacked up to repair it (which cost me $1,500.00 when it happened to my tub in 2003) also, 3 rows of tile fell when they jacked the tub up causing further damage.
Upstairs tubs: the drain pipe can fall into the ceiling, I have seen this happen more times than I can count. The customers had to cut a hole in the ceiling under the tub to have a plumber repair it.
A drain needs to be installed while I work and must be installed when refinishing so it can be prepped before refinishing. Usually it is auto painters that will usually want the new surface under the drain (like they would do for badges and emblems on cars, but please remember this is porcelain or acrylic (cultured marble in some cases) being restored, not metal being painted. If you want a new drain, I highly recommend looking at a "watco glue down drain" (just google that phrase). They glue down on top of the existing drain and they have a pop up stopper. It takes less than 1 minute to put on and it comes with the silicone glue. They run about $30. I have not found one in any stores. However, Home Depot and Amazon sells them through their website and they arrive in about 3 - 5 days. These are a great option if you want a new drain without having to chance breaking the drainage pipe or hiring a plumber. These can be put on after refinishing. If you have it there I am happy to put it on for you!
I have never had a surface come up around the drain in my 30 + years. I have however, had many customers pay trip charges for chipping the new surface when installing a drain after refinishing. One tub had to be heated with a torch to remove the drain and the new surface was so chipped and burnt I had to recharge for the entire job plus had to remove the old surface that was destroyed. I never want that to happen to you and it makes me feel terrible when that happens to a customer! It has happened several times. I hate this! I want a great experience for my customer and for you to be excited about your new surface!
More times than I can count people will remove the drain after I arrive that have not read this page, the drain breaks or gets stuck and they want to cancel or reschedule after my arrival. Please understand my jobs are by appointment, there is no such thing as going on to the next job, also some days I only have 1 job so that kills my day. This will result in a $280 trip charge.
One more short example. Day before Thanksgiving 2022 I was scheduled to refinish a tub, I told the young couple I would do the small sink at No charge while I was there. The mother was visiting and in a not so friendly manner told me I needed to remove the faucet before refinishing the (free) sink. I explained it's a liability due to leakage, I could not do that. She had her son-in-law do it. The shut off valve broke and water flooded the bathroom. Soaking my equipment, ruining the tub I was prepping. I felt so bad for them I did not charge a trip charge and the couple apologized profusely, I returned the following week for the tub. I found out the emergency plumber cost $1,000.00! I promise any other contractor would have charged a trip charge. I lost a days work through no fault of mine.

Q.) How long after refinishing until a door assembly can be installed?

A.) The tub/shower will be ready for use 24 hours after refinishing. However, I recommend waiting at least 48 hours before installing new glass doors or frames. This gives more time for the bonding process to occur. Refinished surfaces return to service in 24 hours! However the new surface takes several days to completely bond into the old surface.

Q.) Is any other color besides white available?

A.) Yes, My supplier charges an additional $50 (any color other than white) which you can choose from a Sherwin Williams color chart. Then give me the color and any number (such as item number that goes with it). If you are wanting tile one color and tub white then that will also add an $80 trip charge to the job and add an extra day. On the example of tub and tile surround. The tile would be completed first then need to cure overnight so I can mask it off then do the tub. For this example it would add $130 to the cost. If it is a vanity or sink then it would only add $50 to the cost for the color. Please know once I get the color to my supplier it takes them about 3 business days to fed ex me the order.

Q.) How Much Deposit Is Required Upfront?

A.) None! Dallas bathtub refinishing services will never ask for any money up front on a regular job. I am owner/operated I can only schedule 1 sometimes 2 jobs per day. When I agree to your job I am turning down work for that time period. Even if it is a larger paying job! You booked first then it is your time slot. If you need to cancel I completely understand. However, If I arrive and the job is cancelled, leaking water from damage or can not be completed, other contractors working in the space, and I have already driven to the job site then there is a $280 trip charge fee. Most will understand why, It very rarely happens. Very rarely that I can remember after 30 + years in business. However, please understand. I can not drive somewhere, Only to find out the job is not able to be completed and lose the money that I could have made from that work, plus lose the several hour time slot I had allotted for the job. (When during the same time I could have been on another paying job that I passed over on, thinking I had work scheduled). I am adding this information here because it happened 3 times in a 2 week period April 28,2023 thru May 2nd 2023. I had other customers needing jobs completed and they had moved on... Only to find 3 days were completely wasted. I felt putting it up front with the explanation may stop any more.

Q.) Can a surface be refinished more than one time?

A) Absolutely! I have Refinished bathtubs, tile surrounds, shower pans and more that were refinished (actually painted) in most cases years ago 3 - 4 times. That is not a problem at all! Just send me a picture and I will get an exact quote to you!

Q.) What will the homeowner need to do to prepare?

A.) In most cases very little.

Please give me a clean work space. Please clean the surface being refinished as good as you can. Remove all bottles and products from around the tub/tile area being finished. Dust from sanding fiberglass and cultured marble surfaces is more of an issue in the immediate area so I ask that if the surface is cultured marble .. anything other than porcelain, please clear the are such as knick knacks or the vanity so I can place a tarp on the vanity and concentrate on the surface being restored. I need a clean work area to give you the absolute best job I can do.
If you notice water leaking from behind the tile or from under glass door railings allow to dry 100% before scheduling. Unfortunately, I cannot return free of charge over drips and I really want you to love your new surface!
Please keep in mind we do not want any pet hair floating around by the refinished tub. If it gets stirred up then it can get embedded into the new surface. (although I can only remember this being an issue twice in all these years)
Please Make Sure The surface is as clean as you can get it, not meaning spotless but if any grout work was done or loose dust or hair is around just vacuuming that up will help tremendously.
Please make sure there are no steady water drips (it can't get wet for 24 hours). I can contain minor drips with a rubber glove. However, please remember water dripping will erode the new surface over time.
If you want to replace any hardware, tile or other work around the refinished area please do so before refinishing I need the drain Installed Before I do the bathtub to do the best job I can. The hardware and drains are masked off with tape and paper and the coating is bonded into the old surface. This means you don't have to worry about anything peeling up around drains! before you remove an old drain please know they are sometimes rusted or corroded in place. Removing the drain can break the drainage pipe under the tub. This is why I NEVER remove them. It happened on my personal tub in 2003 and I had to pay $1500 to have the tub jacked up (slab foundation) several rows of tile fell and broke just to replace a piece of pipe that was broke. If you search "watco glue down drain" you will see the exact drain so you do not chance damaging a surface by removing an old drain. I recommend ordering it from home depot or Amazon (it sells through there warehouse) fast shipping and best prices. If you have it, I will be happy to put it on after refinishing. It is very easy ... it takes about 30 seconds literally. They go over the existing drain and have a pop up stopper. I am not affiliated in any way with the product or store. It is just a great product I recommend.

This is the great part about Dallas bathtub refinishing it is a great way to restore the old surface without having to go through a lot of hassle!

Q.) Will there be a lot of dust?

A.) There may be very little dry dust. H.V.L.P. (high volume low pressure is a fine finish spray system. Using only 2 -5 pounds of super heated air to remove any moisture from the air being used to apply the surface.) Please keep in mind It's not my application that can be dusty but the preparation of the surface. Example: acrylic and cultured marble surfaces have to be sanded. I do my best but I am not working in a negative air pressure environment. My focus is on the surface I'm working on so please give me the cleanest, clearest work space possible. H.V.L.P. application eliminates 99% of dust during spraying but if the job is multiple surfaces, large showers there will be some dry dust. I have never had a complaint that I can remember but once again, just being honest and upfront. The coating is applied using an H.V.L.P. sprayer (which is a lot like an airbrush) I only use about 2-3 pounds of air to gently lay the new surface down and it wicks down into the pores. This surface chemically reacts with the resins and polymers in the coating to literally form a chemical weld into the old surface it is tied to the old surface using a very high quality silane coupling agent. It's important to also note that the h.v.l.p. turbine heats the air so the moisture is removed from the heated air being used. Dallas Bathtub Refinishing Services can refinish any surface including porcelain, cultured marble, formica, acrylic, fiberglass and more can be refinished!

Q.) Can other work be done while you are refinishing a Bathtub or Tile?

A.) I do not recommend it! Please keep in mind we want to keep the dust low and clean around the refinishing! Also for 12 hours after refinishing.

Q.) Why can't I paint my tub with a D.I.Y. paint kit and just paint the tub? Even if it lasts a few months I can redo it can't I?

A.) Please see my adhesion test. (opens a new page) Keep in mind that was my professional coatings I was using. Remember the silane bonding agent I spoke about. I now have a better mixture! I add bonding agent to the silane in a specific ratio and add the bonding agent to the top coat, cross linking in a way that makes chipping impossible (unless a heavy enough object is dropped)... that is a must have and not a low grade cheap silane but high quality (I promise there is a difference). Also keep in mind the paint kits I know of are not water proof. They are water resistant paint such as epoxy, urethane, and low quality easy to yellow alkyd paints. When they peel that gets stuck in your drain. The hardest tub to refinish is a tub that has been painted because the old paint will wrinkle under the new surface. This is why they have to be sanded and stripped. Most every kit I have seen is Alkyd paint (that is a cross between latex and oil base paint). You are paying $40 to $60 for old technology tractor paint. You are actually paying for the marketing! I promise you I can appreciate a dollar as well as anyone! If it's not in your budget to have your tub professionally refinished then try getting some 400 grit sandpaper and sanding down the bottom with water and a calcium, lime and rust cleaner (use gloves). This will usually temporarily clean the surface and make it look better. You understand it is not a fix but... at least it is inexpensive and will usually give you a better looking fixture. Piling paint onto a failed surface will not only fail but cause bubbling and lifting of the soft surface underneath.

Q.) How many workers will be in my home?

A.) Just Me! (About me page) I work by myself. I will be the one doing the work for you and I never use day laborers or sub contract labor. This is reflected in my prices also. Did you know Most service industries like painting, refinishing, flooring and more use sub contractors. Then pay the sub contractor a percentage of the job. This means you hire a company charging twice as much as I charge so the company gets half and the worker gets half. I have nothing against that... it's business and as long as everyone is happy then that is all that matters! However, I have owned my business since my Senior year of high school in 1991. I went full time after graduation in 1992. That experience comes to your job. A subcontractor may be learning, may have 5 years experience, may have 2 days experience. I am 49 years old (as of 2024) married 29 years with a 27 year old daughter. Born and raised right here in the Dallas area!

Bathtub Refinishing Dallas

Q.) Do You Accept Credit Cards?

A.) Absolutely. Credit Cards, Checks, Venmo, Zelle, and Cash! If paying cash please know I do not carry change on me. No Processing Fees for cards! Payment is due upon the completion of the service.

Q.) What Colors are available?

A.) I carry White (most popular by far). Since white reflects the colors of the walls white is the most popular and used on literally 99% of all work. I do not use standard epoxy paint or 2 part urethane paint. This is a 100% polyester specialty coating specifically made for bathtub and shower refinishing. It is extremely durable. You will find that with normal use and care your surface will last for over 15 - 20 years! I want to give you a usable surface you can enjoy for years to come!

Q.) Should I be Gone during the refinishing process?

A.) My coatings are low V.O.C. The fumes dissipate about an hour after completion. Your new surface is Isocyanate free because it is NOT being painted with acrylic urethane paint. Also, with polyester once catalyzed and cured will not emit harmful v.o.c.'s into your home! So there is no impact to indoor air quality! The hard part of this question is realizing that some people are bothered by specific odors. If you are pregnant or have respiratory issues I would err on the side of caution. I use low V.O.C coatings and also use a machine with carbon air filters to filter the air for good measure. I personally have asthma and have worked around these coatings daily since 2003 with no issue at all. I also can tell you from my past experiences that I have very few people tell me they are leaving during the refinishing process. I have had elderly customers on oxygen machines tell me it's not bad at all. However, if you would feel better about being out while the work is being completed please do so and I can notify you when I have about 30 minutes remaining! Is that fair enough?

CONTACT:
Johnny Yarbrough (Dallas Bathtub Refinishing)
972-391-7994 -[972-391-7994] Please send me a picture of your refinishing project for an exact quote.