Resurfacing, refinishing or replacing — which is right for your tub?

Whether it's grimy, chipped, discolored, or simply the wrong style, an old bathtub can be made to look as good as new.

Of course, the best way to clean a bathtub is with a deep cleaning, experts say, but if that doesn't do the trick, there are other methods to make your bathtub shine.

Resurfacing the bathtub with a bath liner or fitter is one way to bring a bathtub back to life.

Bath tub liners are made to match the dimensions of your tub and are placed directly on top of the existing area.

Resurfacing covers up any ugly remnants of the tub without requiring the work of completely removing it.

“Our product is 100 percent acrylic and the walls are all one piece, so if you have mold or mildew issues, we would get rid of all of it and then put a liner over the existing (tub),” said Saiema Quadri, an event manager at Montreal-based Bath Fitter.

Bathtub resurfacing companies are increasingly adding options like grab bars, graphic art and other bathroom accessories attached to the liners. Bath Fitter, which operates in Canada and the U.S., offers an online tool in which customers can virtually design their own bathroom remodel.

One sticking point for the bath liners is that customers can get overeager to use their new shower or tub. “If people don't follow directions to let the product sit so the adhesive can stick to the wall, something might pop off a little bit,” Quadri said, “but we'll go in and fix that.”

The pros of installing a new bath liner are that its cheaper than replacing the whole tub, there is no caulking in the liner so it resists the problems of bathroom tiles, and the liners can be customized to turn a bathtub into a shower with a seat.

But there are a few drawbacks. If the product develops a crack, water will get between old bathtub and liner, creating problems with mold down the line. Also, in some cases, the plumbing may need to be changed, which may require a permit and a licensed plumber.

If a liner doesn't suit your needs, refinishing is another option. There are two ways to refinish an existing bathtub: a quick fix for a small crack or chip, or a complete overhaul using a bathtub refinishing specialist.

The easy fix to a small problem, there are products on the market that can repair cracks and chips if the tub is made of acrylic or fiberglass/gelcoat.

For a full overhaul, refinishing is an inexpensive way to make a big difference in the appearance of a bathtub, said John Lamondi of Miracle Method in Elmhurst. “We can transform an existing tub into something special,” he said. “It's amazing how nice it looks.”

He said his system uses four coats of epoxy, then four coats of enamel to put a new finish on an older tub.

“It's a lot cheaper than purchasing a new tub or using a tub liner,” he said. “We can refinish a tub for $525, but buying a new one can cost from $800 to thousands of dollars.”

He said that, aside from costing less than replacing the tub, other advantages are that plumbing does not need to be replaced, and that the shape of the tub can also be altered slightly, making a tub into a shower in some instances.

However, he said, a drawback is that abrasive chemicals are involved in the process, and the tub is not officially new.

The third change that can be made is to completely replace the tub. This option is best for those who are looking for a complete overhaul, such as adding luxury features like massage jets, effervescence, built-in lighting and aromatherapy.

“It depends on personal preference,” said Aaron Hoegle, merchandising director in fashion plumbing of Lowe's home improvement stores. “Do they want a new experience? What's the motive?”

A new tub can accommodate specific requirements, like accessibility, the desire for a different style tub, high-tech features or green materials.

For an aging homeowner, Hoegle recommends a Kohler tub with a side that raises and lowers and is still customizable. He cites accessibility as a growing concern for consumers looking to buy bathtubs.

Delta has also released a new tub, he says, that is made with low-emitting product for a healthier indoor environment. “It's exciting because it's an acrylic material for a fraction of the typical acrylic price,” he said.

While he says that refinishing and resurfacing are viable options, it all depends on the current tub and the customer.

The pros of replacing a tub over other finishing techniques is that a homeowner can get the tub with the features they want, they can see a final product at the store before purchasing it, and it lasts longer than a tub liner. However, new tubs are costly, and installing it will usually require the hiring of a handy man.

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Lee Filas contributed to this story.