If you've got a beautiful bath that’s not looking its best, knowing how to re-enamel a bath can bring it back to its best. Any annoying scratches or ugly chips can disappear under a new layer of enamel and bring back the lustre and shine.
With a new coat of colour a restored bath can take centre stage in your bathroom remodel ideas. And at the same time you can save yourself some serious money, which you can spend elsewhere. Here the pros run through the steps you need to follow to transform your bathtub.
Kevin Keen
Kevin has been in the industry for 25 years and handles everything, from the distribution and installation of portable structures to financing and manufacturing. He can speak with authority on every aspect of prefabrication and construction.
How to re-enamel a bath: Can I DIY it?
If you are a confident DIYer who has plenty of painting experience then tackling re-enamelling a bath should be well within your capabilities. But Kevin Keen, contractor and owner of Keen's Buildings offers some wise words, “You can re-enamel a bath yourself, but it’s not as simple as slapping on a coat of paint. It takes time, the right materials, and a steady hand.”
Thomas Oldham, Co-founder of UK Construction Blog reinforces the point, “Re-enamelling a bath yourself can work, but proper preparation makes all the difference.”
If you do decide to tackle the project yourself you’ll need to get a refinishing kit which Keen says, “Usually includes primer, enamel paint, and a hardener.” Alongside the kits you will need a few tools to get the job done, “You'll also need a paint sprayer or a high-density foam roller (like this Hamilton For The Trade Mini Foam Roller Set from Toolstation), sandpaper (preferably 400-600 grit), masking tape, and a respirator.”
He adds a final word of warning , “Proper ventilation is critical because the chemicals in these kits are strong.”
Get the gear to re-enamel a bath
Bartoline Concentrated Sugar Soap
Helps remove grease, stains and nicotine to get surfaces ready for painting. This concentrate has 4-8 uses depending on your mix ratio.
ScotchBlue Multi-Surface Premium Masking Tape
A pro masking tape that has just the right level of adhesion for all surfaces and paint jobs. Offers clean removal and is easy to tear by hand. One of the best I’ve used.
Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit
This DIY kit contains all you need. It includes composite lotion, hardener, gloves, brushes and rollers. It's ideal for one coat white on white. Will need two tubs for darker colours.
Thomas Oldham
Thomas Oldham has spent the past four years using his expertise of working in the engineering and construction industry for over a decade to develop the UK Construction Blog - a leading online platform dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses in the construction industry.
How to re-enamel a bath
If you are happy to tackle the re-enamel process yourself then you will need to follow specific steps to get a good finish. Here the experts guide you through the process.
1. Clean the bathtub
The first step is to make sure that the bath is clean before you proceed to the next step as Oldham shares, “Clean the bath thoroughly with sugar soap or a degreaser and lint-free cloths.”
Learn how to use sugar soap effectively with the help of our What is sugar soap guide. Oldham adds, “The bath must be completely clean and dry, with fittings removed if possible.”
2. Prep the area
Before you start painting make sure to prep the bath and surrounding area. Keen says, “Use painters/masking tape to protect surrounding areas.” Make sure to lay down dust sheets (like these Zigglet Plastic Drop Cloths from Amazon).
If paint spraying, put dust sheets on walls as well. Finally he adds, “Make sure you have good ventilation. Open windows or fans helps keep the air clear.”
3. Sand the surface
Oldham says, “Using a power sander speeds things up, and a fine-grit sandpaper grade helps achieve a smooth finish.” Sanding can cause a lot of dust so make sure to attach a hoover to the exhaust, or dust collector if it comes with one. Wash/wipe down the bath with warm water to remove any sanding dust and leave to dry.
4. Paint the bath tub
Before you start applying the new finish Oldham says, “Make sure you're wearing the appropriate safety gear – fumes can be hazardous, so wear a face mask with filters, gloves, and goggles.”
Now mix the finish and apply as instructed. Typically, this involves mixing the finishing paint and a hardener. This should be applied in thin coats and left to dry as per the manufacturer's instructions before applying a second, or even third coat.
FAQs
Is it worth re-enamelling a bath?
Re-enameling on a DIY basis can give a bath a brand new look, but it will depend very much on the condition of the bath as Oldham points out, “A DIY recoat can improve the look of minor damage, but the finish won’t match factory enamel.”
He adds, “If the bath has severe chipping or flaking, a professional is the better option, as industrial coatings hold up far longer than DIY kits.”
A DIY recoat isn’t as durable as a pro finish as Oldham shares, “It usually lasts 3–5 years and may feel slightly rough in places.” But a pro finish will last longer, says Oldham, “A professional job lasts 10–15 years with proper care, creating a smoother and more durable surface.” He adds, “Experts can also match the exact colour or spray on a completely new shade.”
How much does it cost to re-enamel a bath?
If you are going to re-enamel a bath yourself the cost will be greatly reduced as you will only need to pay for the gear and materials needed. You should expect to pay around £100-£300 depending on the initial colour of the bathtub and finished colour. White on white is the easiest re-enamel option and typically only needs a single application to get a good finish.
However, if you have a light coloured or darker bathtub you will need to add additional coats. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them accordingly.
If you are not confident in doing a re-enameling job yourself you can call in a professional. They will charge around £400-500 depending on the type of bath, condition and size. As always, get two or three quotes from local trades for a more accurate price.
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Steve Jenkins is a freelance content creator with over two decades of experience working in digital and print and was previously the DIY content editor for Homebuilding & Renovating.
He is a keen DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating the many homes he has lived in. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has a wide range of skills gleaned from working in the building trade for around 10 years and spending time at night school learning how to plaster and plumb.
He has fitted kitchens, tiled bathrooms and kitchens, laid many floors, built partition walls, plastered walls, plumbed in bathrooms, worked on loft conversions and much more. And when he's not sure how to tackle a DIY project he has a wide network of friends – including plumbers, gas engineers, tilers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians and builders – in the trade to call upon.
