Cast Iron Tub Refinishing Basics

Most people that have a cast iron tub in their bathroom consider it to be one of the show pieces of their home.  Not only is it enjoyable to look at and makes the look and feel of a bathroom more comfortable, it also tends to be a convenience that many people use to get away from it all and enjoy a nice soak while they are reading a book.  There may be times, however, when the tub becomes old and worn and it does not have that appeal that it had whenever the finish was like new.  In those cases, some cast iron tub refinishing may be necessary in order to restore it.In almost every case, any type of cast iron bath tub resurfacing that is going to be done can be done with the tub sitting right in place.  Refinishing a cast iron tub is not all that different than refinishing any other type of tub, it's just that the metal underneath the porcelain may differ.  A common misconception about any type of tub refinishing, however, is the fact that most people consider that you are getting an entirely new finish on the tub.  In reality, cast iron tub refinishing or any other type of tub repair typically only consists of some repair and a top coat of specialty paint.Even so, it is virtually impossible for you to tell the difference between a tub that has been refinished in this way and one that is brand new coming out of the factory.  Even in tubs that have been around for much longer than we have, refinished can look amazingly good, provided that it is done professionally.  There may be times, however, whenever the damage to the underlying cast iron can be severe enough that it may require that the tub is removed from your home and taken to the shop in order to be refinished.Cast iron tub refinishing that is done off-site typically is done so because it requires some serious repair or perhaps even sandblasting.  These are things that could be done with the tub in place but often, it is much more convenient and safe to have it done off-site.  In these cases, the entire cast iron tub is typically refinished, both the inside and the outside.  After the finish has been allowed to harden, it will be brought back in and reinstalled in your home.This type of cast iron bath tub resurfacing can not only bring back a new look to an older tub, it can give you a completely new look to your bathroom.  It is an excellent and somewhat inexpensive way for you to bring new life to a piece that may be considerably older than the other pieces in your bathroom.  Make sure that you look around for a professional that is going to be able to do a good job for you, however, as you will want to have a finish that lasts you for many years.