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How to Remove and Replace a Bathtub Liner

Heather Jones

Bathtub liners have become an effective alternative to replacing old, worn down bathtubs. This option allows you to save money and time by adding a liner to the existing bathtub instead of removing the whole unit and installing a new one. Removing the liner on an old bathtub can be tricky and challenging.

Do not use your bathtub for 24 hours after replacing the liner.

It requires a lot of strength to pry away the pieces of the old material without damaging the tub underneath. Adding a new liner requires a lot of measuring to ensure that you get the exact acrylic mold fit for your tub.

Remove Bathtub Liner

  1. Cut into the sealant with a knife until the seal breaks. The sealant holds the liner to the sides of the wall.

  2. Place a prying tool underneath the liner where the seal was broken and pry upward until cracks and large chunks begin to form. The cracks created are the weakest parts of the liner being removed. Position the tool where the cracks form for easier removal of the liner.

  3. Remove all chunks that you pry out. Continue the process until every piece of the liner is removed from the bathtub.

Replace Bathtub Liner

  1. Measure the bathtub inside and out. Write down the height, width and depth of each point measured.

  2. Hire a bathtub refinishing company to create an acrylic sheet molding using the measurements of your bathtub.

  3. Scrape off any old caulking around the bathtub. Remove all bathtub fixtures. Scour the bathtub with denatured alcohol to remove any mildew and grime on the surface before adding the liner.

  4. Apply an adhesive that is water-resistant to the inside of the bathtub once you have recieved your new liner. Add a silicone sealant and press the new bathtub liner into the correct position. Caulk the seams around the new liner.

  5. Replace the bathtub fixtures or install new ones. Seal the bathtub fixtures so that water doesn't get into the space between the new liner and the old tub.

  6. Tip

    Put on a face mask, goggles and gloves before beginning to prevent injury to your eyes and hands while prying the old sealant from the bathtub. This will also prevent damage to your eyes and hands while applying the adhesive, silicone and caulking to the new liner. Wait 24 hours before using the bathtub so that the silicone and adhesive can gel and harden under the new liner.

The Drip Cap

  • Bathtub liners have become an effective alternative to replacing old, worn down bathtubs.
  • Place a prying tool underneath the liner where the seal was broken and pry upward until cracks and large chunks begin to form.
  • Remove all chunks that you pry out.
  • Scrape off any old caulking around the bathtub.
  • Apply an adhesive that is water-resistant to the inside of the bathtub once you have recieved your new liner.