Bathtub Reglazing

REGLAZING PRODUCTS COMMONLY USED

One of the most common questions asked is “what is your process and what do you use”?

Many Bathtub Reglazing Specialists use different processes and products for different situations. Some refinishers etch before primer while others don’t. Some use epoxy adhesive primers while others use new space age adhesives which allow refinishers to omit the etching process all together. Below is a rundown of the most common products used in the Bathtub Reglazing industry today.

• Acid Etch – 10% to 15% hydrofluoric acid solution. Used to prepare a surface to promote adhesion of the primer

• Primer – Epoxy adhesive primer such as Chemsol Inc. MIL- PRF-23377J. Used to crosslink the substrate and finish. If an epoxy primer is used it should not be just any epoxy primer, it should be a good mil spec epoxy adhesive primer rated for underwater conditions. This primer will yield the best results.

• Adhesives – “Wipe-On” or “Spray-On”. Used to crosslink the substrate and finish

• Finishes – Acrylic Urethane, Polyester Urethane, Modified Epoxy. Used to renew the appearance of your fixture.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN FINISHES?

Acrylic Urethane – This is the best (and most expensive) of the finishes. It has high pencil hardness, a high flexibility rating (resists cracking) and has very slight dulling. Overall, the best finish.

Polyester Urethane (Polyurethane) – This is the most common finish being used today. This finish has medium/high pencil hardness and is known to produce slight cracking under certain strenuous flexibility tests. Also, it has produced slight blistering in certain chemical immersion tests.

Modified Epoxy or Epoxy Acrylic – This product is usually sold as a diy kit at many home improvement and online stores. This product is the least popular among a true professional. It has a low pencil harness, produces moderate cracking in flexibility tests and moderate blistering in certain immersion tests. It also tends to turn yellow over time.

NEW AGE ADHESIVES

In the new age of bathtub reglazing, adhesives are now taking the place of epoxy primer systems. These adhesives allow a refinisher to omit the old school acid etching and epoxy primer system and the end results are truly remarkable. Many refinishers who use the adhesives use a “wipe-on” type. This type of adhesive is good but since it is a “wipe-on” it is subject to coverage error on the part of the refinisher. Some of the “wipe-on” primers are available with a color indicator to reduce this error. The best method in my opinion is a spray-on such as TOPKOTE’s CROSSLINK ADHESIVE which allows the adhesive to reach areas that the “wipe-on” will not therefore making it more productive and thorough.

You should now have a better understanding of what is commonly used in today’s Bathtub Reglazing industry and can go into a project with an understanding that many do not have.

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