Is your bath showing signs of wear and tear, needing re-enamelling or resurfacing? When the surface of your bath looks dull, is sticky, or has multiple chips on it, the best thing to do is to restore the whole surface! At Surface Doctor Currie, we offer professional bath restoration to make your bath look brand new again, with no disruption to your bathroom. Give me a call now to see if I can help you with your bath.
Re-enamelling a bath, also known as resurfacing, involves applying a new enamel coating, restoring the bath to its original shine. You won’t have to worry about altering your bath installation as the process is done in your bathroom. Using a unique enamel paint, it hardens and cures within 24 hours, allowing you to use your bath the next day. As part of the re-enamelling process, I repair any chips or scratches to ensure a smooth finish when the new enamel is applied. My resurfacing service is suitable for cast-iron, metal, and acrylic baths. The entire procedure takes just one day, making it a quicker and more affordable option than replacing your bath. You can trust my bath resurfacing, which comes with a 12-month guarantee.
In this day and age, it is so easy to buy something new and throw away the old one rather than trying to have it repaired or restored. Removing an old bath isn’t as simple as it may seem. Removing cast-iron baths involves breaking them down due to their weight, leading to potential damage to the rest of your bathroom. Acrylic baths are lighter, making removal easier, but still cause damage to your bathroom when removed. After removal, redoing the tiling, reinstalling taps and drains, and potentially replacing the flooring are necessary. By restoring your bath, you’re choosing an environmentally responsible option, reducing construction waste. Metal baths are often classic features of older homes and can last for many decades. A quick resurfacing restores dull, chipped, or scratched metal baths to look brand new, providing a durable finish. Though acrylic baths have a shorter lifespan than metal baths, resurfacing restores them to a like-new condition. For individual repairs like chips and scratches, I color match the repair to your bath, but with re-enamelling or resurfacing, I use a fresh white enamel to respray the entire surface.
The materials I use to resurface your bath are professional grade that are only available on a commercial basis. You simply can't just use normal white paint to paint the surface. To ensure proper resurfacing, I use an adhesive bonder that bonds the new surface firmly to the original bath. I use a highly specialized bonder that ensures the most durable and lasting results for your bath. I’ve trusted my preferred materials for years, knowing they consistently produce excellent, high-quality repairs.
All of my resurfacing work is done in-situ, so you will never have to remove your bath and transport it to me, then have it delivered back and installed again. This way there is minimal disruption to you as I will only need to be working in your bathroom for a day before I'm out of your hair again. Vitreous enamel involves coating your bath in powdered glass and fusing it onto the surface using a kiln at high temperatures. This service could never be offered in-situ due to the extreme heat involved and I don't know of many companies that are able to offer this any more for baths.
Before resurfacing, I will first fix any chips and dents to ensure the surface is flat and smooth. You won’t incur extra costs for this step—it’s included in the resurfacing service. I can resurface most baths, so contact me today to see if I can restore yours in Currie.
Proper maintenance ensures your bath resurfacing lasts 15 years or more while maintaining its showroom finish. The key principle: treat your resurfaced bathtub like a new car's paint - gentle regular cleaning prevents damage from accumulating.
Expert re-sealing every 3-5 years maintains maximum protection, prolonging your resurfacing investment substantially.
Cast iron tubs, prized for heat retention and durability, perform exceptionally well with expert resurfacing. These heavy fixtures, found in heritage properties, often feature worn enamel, rust spots, or outdated colours. Our cast iron bath resurfacing process begins with removing the damaged enamel and addressing any corrosion. Professional primers designed for ferrous metals guarantee perfect adhesion. This coating replicates original enamel's depth and luster while offering superior durability. Many cast iron tubs are irreplaceable heritage features - resurfacing helps preserve their period value while restoring original functionality. The process costs £350-£550, compared to between £5,000-£12,000 for equivalent cast iron replacement.
Acrylic tubs are common in modern bathrooms but experience scratching, yellowing, and chemical damage with age. Acrylic bath resurfacing demands specific techniques as standard coatings don't adhere properly to this plastic substrate. We use specialised acrylic bonding agents that create chemical fusion between old and new surfaces. The resurfacing process eliminates scratches, restores the colour, and adds UV inhibitors preventing future yellowing. Thermal cracks common in acrylic tubs require flexible repairs that accommodate thermal expansion. Many customers opt for colour changes when resurfacing, replacing dated biscuit or almond tubs to modern white or grey. Pricing ranges £250-£400, providing dramatic transformation at a fraction of replacement expense.
Pressed steel bathtubs, typical in homes constructed between 1950-1990, combine the durability with reduced weight and reduced cost. Yet, their thinner enamel coating chips quite easily, exposing the steel that quickly rusts. Steel bath resurfacing addresses these vulnerabilities via thorough rust treatment and application of thicker coating application. We transform any existing rust into stable compounds, seal treated areas, and apply primer specifically designed for steel. This creates a finish that's more durable than original enamel. Steel tubs often feature outdated colours like avocado or harvest gold - updating them to modern aesthetics while avoiding replacement costs of £1,500-£3,000.
Fiberglass baths offer affordability but suffer from fading, cracks, and surface degradation after 10-15 years. This gel coat protecting the fiberglass substrate becomes increasingly porous, resulting in a rough, stained surface that can't be cleaned. Fiberglass bath resurfacing totally renews these deteriorated surfaces using flexible coating systems that accommodate substrate movement of the substrate. Repairs include spider cracks typical of aged fiberglass, fill any structural damage, and install new gel coat-like finishes. The finished tub often exceeds the original quality, offering improved chemical resistance and easier upkeep. From £275-£425, resurfacing is significantly cheaper compared to the £1,200-£2,500 needed for fiberglass bathtub replacement plus installation costs.
Professional bath resurfacing starts with meticulous preparation guaranteeing coating durability. Skilled technicians safeguard adjacent areas using professional masking systems, covering tiles, fixtures, and flooring. The bathtub undergoes thorough cleaning using industrial cleaners, removing soap residue, body oils, and mineral deposits that inhibit adhesion.
Etching the surface produces mechanical adhesion using controlled abrasion or chemical treatment. This technique opens up the substrate's pores, enabling primers to bond deeply. Various materials require specific etching techniques—cast iron needs intense mechanical abrasion, while acrylic requires gentler chemical etching to avoid damage.
Damage identification and preparation occur simultaneously. Professional technicians highlight all chips, cracks, and damaged areas for addressing. Rust spots require special attention, necessitating thorough removal and conversion before applying the coating. This careful preparation differentiates quality resurfacing from do-it-yourself attempts that fail quickly.
Application phase demands controlled conditions for best results. Professional equipment monitors temperature and moisture levels, modifying ventilation to maintain ideal curing conditions. Primer application establishes the foundation layer, bonding chemically to the prepared surface while ensuring adhesion for subsequent coats.
Several colour coats create the finish to a specified thickness, usually between 0.5-1mm total. Every coat must partially cure before the next application. Expert spray equipment ensures even coverage avoiding runs, sags, and orange peel. A final clear coat delivers chemical resistance and maintains long-term gloss.
Damage repair blends seamlessly into the resurfacing process. Chips and gouges get filled with catalyzed compounds color-matched to the surrounding surface. These repair compounds cure to the same hardness, preventing future failure at the repair line. Deep cracks are reinforced with fiberglass mesh or carbon fiber, spreading stress over larger area.
Surface imperfections like scratches and signs of wear are repaired via progressive sanding and filling. This creates uniform surface texture before coating application. Expert technicians guarantee repairs remain undetectable once resurfacing is complete, even under direct lighting that exposes amateur repairs.
Adequate curing controls bath resurfacing durability and look. Initial hardening takes place within 2-4 hours, but full curing demands 24-48 hours depending on coating type and environmental factors. During the curing process, the coating undergoes chemical cross-linking, gaining its final hardness and chemical resistance.
Temperature and humidity control during the curing process avoids defects like blushing, cratering, or adhesion issues. Professional technicians provide thorough aftercare instructions to ensure optimal cure conditions. This includes proper ventilation, temperature control, and preventing water contact throughout the critical curing period.
Final assessment takes place after complete curing, looking for any flaws that need attention. Quality resurfacing should have even gloss, even color, and smooth finish similar to new bathtubs. Any minor problems are corrected before the technician completes the service.
Edinburgh Castle - Historic fortress and national monument
Royal Mile - Famous historic street in city centre
National Museum of Scotland - Major museum with free admission
Bath Resurfacing Expenses: Professional bath resurfacing typically costs £250-£550 depending on tub type, size, and condition. Basic acrylic bath resurfacing costs from between £250 and £350. Cast iron bath resurfacing comes in at £350-£550 because of additional preparation requirements. Damage repair adds £50-£150 based on severity. Colour changes include no extra charge. Anti-slip treatments cost £40-£75. Callout charges may be required for remote locations.
Total Replacement Costs: Tub replacement comes in at £2,000-£8,000 total. Standard acrylic tubs start at between £150 and £400, with installation adding £800-£1,500. Iron tubs cost £1,500-£5,000 plus £1,000-£2,000 installation. Removal and disposal add between £200 and £400. Plumbing changes are often required, costing £300-£800. Tile work surrounding the new bath costs £400-£1,000. Potential floor reinforcement for heavier tubs costs £500-£1,500. Building regulation compliance might require additional work.
Hidden Savings: Bath resurfacing removes various hidden costs involved in replacement. No skip hire costs of £150-£300. No plumber required (£200-£400 per day). No tiler required (£200-£350 daily). No building control fees (£200-£400). No temporary bathroom arrangements needed. No water damage risk during installation. No finding additional problems like rotten joists or asbestos. No time off work needed - resurfacing completes while you're away. All these savings typically exceed what replacement actually costs.
Value for Money: Work out the cost-per-year revealing resurfacing's outstanding value. A £400 resurfacing lasting 12 years works out to £33 yearly. A £4,000 new tub with a lifespan of 20 years comes to £200 per year. Even premium £550 refinish amounts to just £46 per year over 12 years. Factor in disruption, convenience, and opportunity costs - resurfacing delivers outstanding value. Most resurfaced baths go beyond their expected lifespan when properly maintained, further improving cost-effectiveness.
It usually takes 5-7 hours to resurface or re-enamel a bath. Protecting the surrounding areas by masking is an important step that takes time to ensure no overspray damages surfaces. It’s essential to protect surrounding surfaces, as overspray could cause damage. Before spraying the new enamel, any chips and dents need to be repaired to ensure a flawless finish. Repairing any chips and dents can take additional time, but ensures a better outcome.
My years of experience in bath resurfacing mean I can get your bath looking like it’s just been installed. Once your bath is re-enamelled, it will look and feel just like a new one.
Choosing to resurface your bath rather than replace it is a cost-effective, time-saving, and environmentally conscious decision. You won't be adding more wastage to your local landfill site when you choose to repair and restore your bath. I address all chip, crack, and scratch repairs as part of the bath resurfacing process.
I use top-quality materials that guarantee superior results, unlike anything you can achieve with DIY products from a local store. For the last 10 years, I’ve been using the same high-quality materials that deliver reliable, long-lasting results.
What is the expected longevity of a bath re-enamelling?
The newly resurfaced surface will stay durable and shiny for many years to come. To keep the surface looking great, I’ll share the best cleaning methods to preserve its shine and smoothness. Rest assured, all of my work is guaranteed for 12 months, offering you complete peace of mind.
See what some of my customers have to say about my restorations:
★★★★★
4.9/5 Average Rating
1000'S
Verified Reviews
98%
Would Recommend
Isabella Foster
City-of-Edinburgh
Bath Type: Enamel | Service: Resurfacing & Colour Change
Melissa Walker
Currie, City-of-Edinburgh
Bath Type: Cast Iron | Service: Full Restoration
Jasmine Powell
Currie, EH14, City-of-Edinburgh
Bath Type: Presses Steal| Service: Resurfacing
Ivy Foster
City-of-Edinburgh
Bath Type: Enamel | Service: Resurfacing & Colour Change
1) Give me a call for my expert advice.
2) Send over pictures of the damage.
3) I’ll have your quote sent out to you without delay.
It’s that easy! I can assist with all your repair needs in Currie.
As one of the top hard surface repair companies in Currie, call me now at 0131 278 3890 if you need bath repairs.
I'm ready to help you with your bath and sink repairs in your bathroom and kitchen. You can count on me to produce the best repair out there. Call me today if you have any enquiries about what I can repair.
We serve Currie and the surrounding areas of City-of-Edinburgh. Our team is local and ready to help with your repair.
