Dallas Bathtub Refinishing Services

See how the unsuspecting consumer purchases apartment grade painting instead of bathtub restoration

Bathtub Painting Versus Bathtub Surface Restoration

Bathtub refinishing started out as a restoration service for bathtubs skilled tradesmen learned how to etch into the old surface and apply a new surface. Years ago this new surface would have been a marine grade heavy duty boat epoxy that was loaded with harmful chemicals and very high volatile organic compounds. These coatings would smell terrible, degrade indoor air quality and take about 3 days to be ready for use. As with most industries shortcuts soon ruined something that was made to last a lifetime and turned into something that was simple and quick. This is how bathtub painting, (although it has a place in apartments and hotels) took over the residential area too and became what is known as bathtub refinishing. However, it was simply bathtub painting.

Dallas Bathtub Restoration Services

There are still skilled tradesmen that will etch (integrate) a new surface into the old surface, not just paint a coating (such as Acrylic Urethane or Standard Epoxy paint) on top of the old surface. I have seen horror stories in the refinishing Industry examples: when flex seal first appeared on the market professionals were applying this rubbery compound to bathtubs and I personally seen several on standup showers! I watched a professional apply it on a shower to repair an area and charge the people close to $400. It's important to note he was doing this out of ignorance, not spite, not a scam. This man simply did not understand what he was doing. Tractor and farm equipment were always painted with a cheap alkyd paint (mixture of water and oil base paints) I have seen this used well over 100 times just in 2025 and we are only in May! I have repaired many bathtubs with this used during 2025. Not recently, but in years past I have seen kilz stain blocker used by professionals. Automotive lacquer is something I am still seeing used. I do not use urethane paint for bathtub surface restoration. I etch into the old bathtub surface. This means I create pores in the old porcelain in the bathtub. Using several blends of Silane coupling agent which is a molecular bonding agent, that I chemically bonds a new porcelain glaze permanent surface into, not on top of the old surface. The new surface is integrated into the old surface and bonded beneath the surface level. You get a glossy porcelain glaze surface that is an integral surface to your old bathtub, shower, tile, sink, or vanity surface. So much goes into the surface before the new surface can be started with bathtub restoration. I'm not talking about chip repairs or small things like that, I mean chemicals like moisture scavenger. This product gets down into worn areas, chips, minor rust and more. By wicking down into those areas moisture scavenger encapsulates the smallest amount of moisture and dries it out. This why I cringe whenever I see the bathtub casting videos (just another way of saying refinishing, resurfacing, and, reglazing) they pour on the paint, then trowel it smooth... I shake my head how is the correct mil thickness getting on the vertical walls also this moisture has to evaporate, it can be the smallest amount of moisture but it must evaporate or it gets locked in and will either rupture the surface or eat away the tub. Then you create caving and the hollow area under the porcelain simply gives way because it has been damaged. Like a cavity on the back side of a tooth and you put pressure on it just to have it chip and crack away. The moisture scavenger encapsulates the moisture and dries it out. The new surface needs to be cross linked. This is another way peeling is prevented. Cross link is the bonding of polyester to the hydroxyl molecule groups. These molecules react to the catalyst in porcelain glaze. The polyester resin seeks out the unreacted hydroxyl molecule groups so this builds new and stronger chemical groups building strong bridges within the surface (It's important to understand without this compound these hydroxyl molecules would not only be wasted but, evaporate into the air as fumes and waste). You will immediately notice that my new surface does not have a strong odor. The chemical bridges are using what normally escapes and uses that for strength! This makes for a very safe environment even during application. I say this and must acknowledge that some people simply hate any odor. I don't want to say zero odor because of that reason. However, during the past month (May 2025) there were two separate cases where I literally applied the last of the surface and asked if they would like to see the bathtub. We leaned against the vanity talking for over 30 minutes, no odor that made us flee the scene! I explained to them about the hydroxyl molecule groups and how the chemical cross linking worked. Bathtub restoration is Not rocket science, but science is definitely involved!

The customer should know I can save you thousands of dollars in replacement, give you a restored surface with a 6 year warranty that I fully expect to last you over 20 years. It can always be restored again in the future. It will not be as cheap as simply painting the surface. However, it will not be as inferior as simply painting the surface. I think by providing consumers with factual statements, not opinions but proven facts. The consumer can make an informed decision.

What is Silane and Why Does It Matter?

Let's discuss what industries silane is used in. The Dental Industry and the Aerospace Industry. Silane is activated by water, when moisture contacts silane it gels and the reaction locks down the new surface. You can now quickly see why dentist use silane when they etch into porcelain teeth to perform dental work such as bonding. The Aerospace industry does this too because of the condensation occurring to high flying aircraft. Skilled bathtub restoration technicians do this when integrating a new porcelain surface into the old surface. The silane is worked into the pores created through the etching process then the porcelain glaze is applied using a H.V.L.P. applicator at about 3 - 5 pounds of pressure. To gently lay the new surface on the old and is wicks down into the pores and there is contacts the silane. As the tub, tile, sink, or vanity are used the condensation activates the silane locking the new surface into the pores of the old surface.

The porcelain glaze is a waterproof coating that is inert, made for constant under water use and has a very high tensile strength. High tensile strength is the materials ability to withstand great force being applied to it without breaking. The new porcelain glaze surface on your bathtub, sink, vanity, shower, or countertops has the strength needed to be on the surface of a heavy boat moving quickly through the water (the weight of the boat and the force of the water would rip many surfaces to shreds) bathtub restoration is considered light duty work for this technologically superior surface! Low V.O.C. and No Isocyanates (these are the nasty lung destroying materials in urethane paints - simply google isocyanates in urethane if you want to see for yourself.) In fact several .gov sites have Isocyanates as overtaking asbestos as the leading cause for chronic lung disease, including cancers.

Dallas Bathtub Services Restoration Life Expectancy and Warranty

I never speak ill of any refinishing technician, I will tell you what I will do and do what I say. Your new surface will have a glossy, gorgeous porcelain look because it is porcelain glaze, not urethane or standard epoxy paint. It is rated for a 20 + year life span and Includes a 6 year no peel, no fade warranty!

Let me give you a free quote by text or email! I promise you will not go on a silly mailing or contact list. I promise you will only receive the information of the description of what I will do to restore the surface and the exact price quote you will pay with no hidden fees.

Dallas Bathtub Refinishing Services Free Quote By Text or Email

Johnny Yarbrough (Video Introduction)

Dallas Bathtub Refinishing Services (Owner / Operated) Est. 1992

972-391-7994 Text or Call - please send a picture(s) of your project and the address. I will send you an exact price quote.

Dallasbathtubservices@gmail.com