Beware of Porcelain Refinishers
May 9, 2010
Recently, Chris has stripped and refinished bathtubs that were previously refinished with very poor quality. Among the problems were overspray on the walls, shoddy repairs, un-removed plumbing fixtures (drain, faucet, overflow cover) prior to spraying, and runs and debris in the finish. One of the companies offered a 10-year warranty, yet when the customer called only 6 months after the job to ask about the warranty, she was told that a leaky Jacuzzi jet caused the problem, so it was not covered. While it’s true that a leaky faucet or jet will ruin a refinished surface, a good porcelain refinisher will address the problem before doing the work. In this particular case, the Jacuzzi jet did not leak, but it needed to be dried and plugged before refinishing.
On three jobs in the past week, Chris has seen the same sorts of problems. Consumers need to beware of fly-by-night companies that do not have a good reputation. A few key factors to look for in any contractor are references, before-and-after photos, and you need to feel confident in the contractor’s ability to answer your questions… all of your questions. After a job is completed, always go in and look over the work before making final payment. If you have concerns, don’t be too shy to bring them up.
With a newly refinished surface, you should not see:
- Overspray on the walls
- Lines around the fixtures
- Runs in the process
- Large amounts of debris in the process
- A “dusted” look, as this indicates improper coverage
Your refinisher should offer to come back and caulk around the newly refinished surface in about 24 hours.
A 10-year warranty is unheard of, so you should be suspicious of this promise. The industry standard is 3 years. If a refinisher offers much more or less, be leery. Striking Image offers a 3-year, limited warranty against process defects. You must follow simple care instructions to make your tub’s finish last, and it can last for many years. The process Chris uses is very durable – almost as durable as porcelain.
Chris has seen bathtub refinishes last up to 20 years or more. However, in most cases, with daily use, a tub may need resurfacing every 10 to 15 years, the same lifespan of a new tub with a porcelain finish. Should you drop a hard object in the tub and chip the surface, Chris offers repairs that look like new.
