How to Refinish a Tub With Munro

Munro Products offers training and suggestions to get your tub refinished.

The Munro products company specializes in refinishing tubs, showers, sinks and other bathroom and kitchen applications. The company offers services to perform such tasks, as well as products and instructions for do-it-yourselfers who want to tackle the job themselves. Munro provides detailed instructions regarding its methods for refinishing tubs with professional care.

Things You'll Need

• Safety gloves, gear and mask
• Fans
• Razor blade scraper
• Rag or paper towel
• Abrasive cleaner
• Etching cream
• Sponge
• Abrasive pad
• Putty knife
• Tub filler
• Sandpaper
• Masking tape and paper
• Bathtub primer
• Priming chemicals
• Paint sprayer
• Tack cloth
• Caulk
• Soap

Instructions

1. Wear chemical-resistant gloves and goggles, as well as a ventilator mask, when working with chemicals such as those produced by Munro. Ventilate the area well by opening all windows and doors and, if necessary, using fans to promote airflow.

2. Scrape the tub's surface lightly with a single-edge razor blade scraper. Scrape in even up-and-down or straight horizontal passes; use only the flat edge of the blade to prevent scratching your tub's surface. Dampen a rag or paper towel and wipe away all scrapings.

3. Cut away any old or damaged caulking from around your tub using the razor scraper or a utility knife. Again, take care to use the blade carefully to avoid cutting the tub itself. Dig the old caulk out with your fingers or use the knife to pry it out.

4. Clean the area from which you removed the caulk with an abrasive cleaner to remove built up dirt, mildew or other contaminants. Rinse the area and the tub with clean water before continuing.

5. Wipe etching cream onto the tub's surface using a clean sponge. The etching cream will settle onto the surface and reveal weak points or chips in the tub. Allow the etching cream to settle onto the surface for 20 minutes, then wipe it away with an abrasive pad.

6. Dry the area thoroughly with paper towels or clean cloth towels to remove any excess moisture from cleaning or from the etching cream.

7. Fill in any gaps or chips revealed by the etching cream. Use a putty knife to apply tub filler to the damaged points. Wipe away excess filler with the knife or paper towel. Allow the filler to dry completely, and then sand it to make it even with the rest of the tub. Munro recommends wet sanding with 220-grit paper, or dry sanding with 80-grit paper.

8. Use masking tape and protective paper to protect the walls, floor or surround of your tub from the refinishing chemicals. Cover all areas that can be damaged or discolored by chemicals and use the tape to firmly secure all edges.

9. Wipe the tub's surface with bathtub primer. Apply the primer with a soft paper towel or painter's cloth. Allow five minutes for the primer to dry before continuing.

10. Mix the priming chemicals to create your bathtub finishing product. Mix 6 oz. primer-based M16000 with 2 oz. primer hardener. Pour the mixture into a paint sprayer

11. Prime the bathtub with two light coats of the primer from the paint gun. Spray in smooth, even patterns around the tub, overlapping the passes about ½ inch. Allow the primer to dry, and then wipe the surface with a clean tack cloth to prepare the surface for the finish.

12. Mix 10 oz. top coat base with 2 oz. M15,000 hardware. Add 2 oz. solvent or thinner to thin the paint solution. Pour the top coat mixture into the paint gun.

13. Spray a light coating of finish onto the tub, using the same spray pattern as the one for the primer. Allow 15 minutes for the first coat to dry; you must be able to touch the painted surface without your fingers sticking before continuing.

14. Apply a second coat of finish. Let the surface dry and inspect your work. Apply a third coat or spot-based touch ups if needed.

15. Allow the finish to dry for at last 24 hours (up to 36 hours, depending on temperature and humidity) before removing the protective tape and paper.

16. Apply caulk to any areas that need reapplication. Allow the caulk to dry completely before using the tub; drying time can vary depending on the product you use. Clean the tub's surface with regular soap and water before using.

Tips & Warnings

• Special tub finishes for certain surfaces may require extra products (slip protection, for example), or may require paint thinner or other products.

• Be sure to rinse the paint gun between the primer and top coat mixture applications.

• Find bathtub finishing products at hardware and home improvement stores, or online from the retailer's website.

• Never use abrasive chemicals and cleaners on products such as fiberglass or porcelain. If you have that type of tub, use products specially designed for those materials.

References

• Munro Training: Bathtub Refinishing Training
• Bathtub Refinishing Association of America

Resources

• Munro Products