Our Reglazing Process
How We Reglaze a Bathtub in Toronto
A proper reglazing job takes 3 to 5 hours, not 90 minutes. Every step, from sanding with 40 and 150 grit to spraying TopKote 2K urethane with HVLP equipment, is done by Shawn personally. The tub stays in place. The bathroom is back in service after a 48 hour cure. 5 year residential warranty included.
A Reglazing Job Is Only as Good as the Process Behind It
The coating is the last 30 minutes. The 3 to 4 hours before it are what determine whether the finish bonds, levels properly, and holds up for years. Skipping prep is how 90 minute jobs end up peeling within months.
Every Job Follows the Same Process, Every Time
Shawn does not cut steps based on what a tub looks like. A tub that appears to only need a quick coat still gets full sanding with 40 grit and 150 grit, bonding primer, and multiple coats of TopKote 2K urethane sprayed with HVLP equipment. The process does not change because the condition looks easy. Adhesion depends on the work underneath the topcoat, not the visible surface.
Where the Time Goes on a Typical Job
Done in 90 Minutes
A full reglazing cannot be done properly in 90 minutes. That time is not enough for sanding, priming, and multiple topcoat layers to be applied and levelled correctly. Fast jobs skip sanding steps.
Brush or Roller Application
Urethane topcoat needs to be sprayed with HVLP equipment to lay down evenly. Brush marks and roller texture are permanent. Brush on kits sold at hardware stores produce uneven, porous finishes that trap water.
No Sanding Before Coating
Some companies advertise "no sanding required" as a feature. Sanding creates the surface profile the primer bonds to. Without it, the coating sits on top of the old surface and lifts within weeks or months.
The 7 Step Reglazing Process
Every tub Shawn reglazes in Toronto follows these 7 steps in order. The process takes 3 to 5 hours depending on the tub's condition and material. Nothing is skipped, regardless of how the surface looks before work begins.
The bathroom floor, walls, vanity, and toilet are covered with plastic sheeting and secured with tape. This protects every surface from overspray during the coating stage. The shower curtain rod, towel bars, and any removable hardware near the tub are taken down.
Ventilation is set up through the bathroom window or exhaust fan to direct fumes outside while Shawn sprays. The work area stays ventilated for the full duration of the job.
What is covered
- Floor and baseboards
- Walls and vanity
- Toilet and fixtures
- Doorway sealed
The tub surface is cleaned with a professional degreaser to remove soap scum, body oils, mineral deposits, and cleaning product residue. Years of buildup sit in the pores of the old finish, and the coating will not bond if any of it remains.
Any silicone caulking around the tub edges is cut out and removed. Old caulk traps moisture and prevents the new coating from reaching the substrate along the seams. Fresh caulk is applied after the 48 hour cure.
Removed
- Soap scum
- Body oils
- Mineral buildup
- Old caulking
This is the step that separates a proper job from a rush job. The entire tub surface is sanded first with 40 grit to strip the old finish and create a rough mechanical profile. Then 150 grit smooths the surface while keeping enough tooth for the primer to grip.
The two stage sanding process reaches every curve, corner, and contour of the basin. The bottom of the tub, the inside walls, the rim, and the overflow area are all sanded. Skipping sanding, or using only one grit, is the most common reason reglazing fails within months.
Sanding grits
- 40 grit: strip and profile
- 150 grit: smooth and prep
- Full basin coverage
- Orbital sander
Any chips, cracks, or worn spots in the tub surface are filled with a two part epoxy filler. The filler is shaped to match the original contour of the basin and sanded flush with the surrounding surface.
Repairs are completed before priming so the filler bonds directly to the bare substrate. The topcoat then covers the repair and the original surface in one continuous layer. If the tub has no visible damage, this step still happens. Shawn checks every square inch of the basin for hairline cracks or soft spots that are not obvious from a standing view.
Common repairs
- Surface chips
- Hairline cracks
- Worn drain area
- Edge damage
The drain, overflow plate, faucet handles, spout, and all exposed hardware are masked with tape and protective covers. Each piece of hardware gets its own masking treatment to produce a clean, sharp line where the new coating meets the fixture.
The wall junction along the tub rim is taped to create a straight edge. On jetted tubs, each nozzle is individually masked and plugged to prevent any coating from entering the jet openings. Masking is where attention to detail shows in the final result.
Masked areas
- Drain and overflow
- Faucet and handles
- Wall junction
- Jet nozzles (if applicable)
A bonding primer is sprayed over the entire sanded surface. The primer creates a chemical bridge between the bare substrate and the urethane topcoat. It fills the micro scratches left by the 150 grit sanding and provides a uniform base for the color coats.
The primer is applied with the same HVLP spray equipment used for the topcoat. Spraying produces even coverage across the curves and contours of the basin. Brush or roller application at this stage would leave texture marks visible through the final finish.
Primer function
- Chemical adhesion
- Fills micro scratches
- Uniform base coat
- HVLP spray applied
Multiple coats of TopKote 2K urethane are sprayed with HVLP equipment. The topcoat is a two component system mixed with an activator and reducer immediately before application. Each coat is applied in thin, even passes and allowed to flash off before the next layer goes on.
The 2K urethane cures through a chemical reaction, not just by drying. This produces a harder, more durable finish than single component coatings. The final surface is smooth, glossy, and feels like a factory acrylic finish. The tub is ready for use after a 48 hour cure period.
TopKote system
- 2K urethane formula
- Activator + reducer
- Multiple thin coats
- 48 hour cure
What Goes on Your Tub and How It Gets There
The coating system and application method determine how the finish looks and how long it lasts. Shawn uses TopKote products and HVLP spray equipment on every job.
TopKote 2K Urethane Coating System
TopKote is a professional grade coating system designed specifically for bathtub and fixture refinishing. It is a two component (2K) urethane that requires mixing an activator and reducer before each application. The chemical reaction between the two components produces a harder, more scratch resistant finish than single component coatings.
TopKote is sold only to professional refinishers. It is not available in hardware stores or as a DIY kit. The system includes a degreaser, bonding primer, and multiple topcoat formulations matched to the substrate being refinished.
Type
2K urethane (two component)
Application
HVLP spray only
Components
Topcoat + activator + reducer
Cure Time
48 hours to full hardness
Durability
10 to 15 years with proper care
Availability
Professional use only
HVLP Spray Gun
High Volume Low Pressure spray equipment atomizes the urethane into fine particles that lay down in thin, even coats. Produces a smooth, factory quality finish without brush marks, roller texture, or drips.
Orbital Sander
Used with 40 grit discs for initial stripping and 150 grit discs for final surface prep. The orbital action produces a consistent scratch pattern across the basin without gouging flat spots into curved surfaces.
Two Part Epoxy Filler
Fills chips, cracks, and surface damage before priming. The filler is shaped to match the tub contour and sanded flush so repairs disappear under the topcoat. Bonds directly to the bare substrate for a permanent fix.
Ventilation Setup
Portable ventilation directs fumes out through the bathroom window or exhaust fan during spraying. Keeps the air clear for a clean coat application and safe working conditions throughout the job.
Masking Materials
Professional grade masking tape, plastic sheeting, and fixture covers protect every surface in the bathroom from overspray. Clean tape lines produce sharp edges where the new coating meets hardware and wall junctions.
Professional Degreaser
Industrial strength cleaner removes soap scum, body oils, and mineral deposits that household cleaners leave behind. The tub surface must be completely free of contaminants for the primer to bond properly.
Professional TopKote System
- 2K urethane with chemical cure for scratch resistance
- HVLP sprayed for smooth, even coverage
- Bonding primer creates mechanical and chemical adhesion
- Professional only. Mixed fresh for each job
- 10 to 15 year lifespan with 5 year warranty
Hardware Store DIY Kits
- Single component epoxy that air dries only
- Brush or roller applied, leaving visible texture
- No separate primer. One coat does everything poorly
- Pre mixed in the box. Shelf life affects performance
- Peeling within 6 to 12 months is common
90 Minute Rush Jobs vs 3 to 5 Hour Proper Refinishing
The price difference between a rushed job and a properly done one is small. The difference in how long the finish lasts is measured in years. Here is what changes when steps are cut.
A Failed Reglazing Costs More to Fix Than Doing It Right the First Time
When a rushed coating peels, the failed finish needs to be stripped down to bare substrate before a new job can begin. Stripping adds 1 to 2 hours to the next job and can affect the final price. The original money spent on the rush job is lost entirely. Shawn regularly strips and redoes tubs that were previously coated by other companies or with DIY kits.
Rush Job
$200 to $300Lasts 3 to 12 months before peeling starts. No real warranty.
Proper Reglazing
$400 to $650Lasts 10 to 15 years. 5 year residential warranty. Done once, done right.
Full Tub Replacement
$3,000 to $8,000Includes demolition, plumbing, tiling, and installation. Takes 3 to 5 days.
Why Prep Is 60% of the Job
The topcoat is only as good as what is underneath it. Surface preparation determines whether the finish bonds permanently or peels within months. This is where most companies cut corners and where Shawn does not.
On a typical bathtub reglazing job that takes 4 hours, roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes are spent on preparation before any coating is applied. Cleaning, sanding, repairing, and masking account for the majority of the work. The actual topcoat application is the last 45 to 60 minutes. A company that finishes in 90 minutes total has skipped most of this preparation.
Chemical Cleaning
What it does
Removes contaminants that are invisible but present on every used bathtub. Soap scum, body oils, mineral deposits from Toronto's hard water, and residue from cleaning products all sit in the pores of the old surface.
What happens without it
The primer bonds to the contaminant layer instead of the substrate. The coating lifts in sheets when exposed to water and heat.
15 to 20 minutesMechanical Sanding
Two stage process
40 grit removes the old finish and creates a rough surface profile. 150 grit smooths while retaining enough texture, called "tooth," for the bonding primer to grip mechanically. Both grits are required.
What happens without it
The coating sits on top of the old slick surface with nothing to hold it. It chips or peels at the first point of impact or moisture exposure.
45 to 75 minutesDamage Repair
Why it goes before primer
Chips and cracks are filled with two part epoxy and sanded flush with the surrounding surface. Repairing after sanding lets the filler bond to bare substrate, and repairing before priming lets the primer coat everything in one pass.
What happens without it
Chips painted over without filler remain as depressions in the new finish. Water collects in these low spots and works underneath the coating from the edges.
15 to 30 minutesMechanical Adhesion
Sanding creates thousands of micro scratches across the tub surface. These scratches give the bonding primer physical grip points. Without them, the primer has nothing to hold onto and relies entirely on chemical adhesion, which is not enough on its own for a surface exposed to daily water and heat.
Chemical Adhesion
The bonding primer creates a chemical bridge between the sanded substrate and the urethane topcoat. This works alongside the mechanical bond from sanding. Together, the two types of adhesion prevent delamination. Skipping either one leaves the coating vulnerable to peeling under normal use.
Prep Adjustments by Tub Material
Porcelain
Harder surface. 40 grit takes longer to cut through the factory glaze. Full two stage sanding required.
Cast Iron
Heavy and durable. Sanding reveals the original porcelain enamel over iron. Rust spots treated before priming.
Acrylic
Softer than porcelain. Sanding requires consistent pressure to avoid creating low spots in the basin floor.
Fiberglass
Thinnest substrate. Careful sanding to profile without cutting through the gelcoat layer underneath.
What Shawn Refinishes in Toronto
The same 7 step process applies to every fixture Shawn works on. The prep, primer, and TopKote 2K urethane topcoat are consistent across tub types, showers, sinks, and tile. Only the masking and sanding time vary based on the fixture.
Standard Bathtubs
Alcove, drop in, and freestanding tubs in porcelain, cast iron, acrylic, and fiberglass. The most common job. Takes 3 to 5 hours depending on condition and material.
Jetted and Whirlpool Tubs
Jacuzzi, whirlpool, and air jet tubs require individual masking of every nozzle. The jets, pump, and motor stay connected. Takes 4 to 5 hours due to the extra masking detail.
Clawfoot Tubs
Freestanding clawfoot tubs in cast iron or porcelain. Interior basin refinished with the same process. Exterior and feet handled separately. The tub stays in place.
Shower Refinishing
Shower bases, walls, and surrounds. Same TopKote coating system and HVLP application. The process adapts to vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Sink Refinishing
Bathroom and kitchen sinks in porcelain, cast iron, and ceramic. Smaller surface area, same thorough prep and spray application.
Tile Refinishing
Bathroom wall and floor tile surfaces. Each tile sanded individually. The coating covers the tile face while the original layout remains visible.
The 48 Hour Cure Period
The coating looks finished when Shawn leaves, but it is not fully hardened yet. The 2K urethane needs 48 hours to complete its chemical cure and reach full durability. Using the tub too early is the fastest way to damage a new finish.
During the 48 Hour Cure
- Keep the bathroom door closed to prevent dust settling on the surface
- Leave ventilation running for the first 4 to 6 hours
- Use another bathroom in the home for bathing and showers
- Keep pets and children out of the bathroom
- Apply caulking after the full 48 hours have passed
Do Not Do During the Cure
- Run water in the tub or let water contact the coating
- Place anything on the tub surface: bottles, mats, towels
- Touch or test the surface with your hand
- Apply caulking before the 48 hours are complete
- Use the toilet if flushing splashes water toward the tub
Chemical Cure vs Air Dry
The TopKote 2K urethane hardens through a chemical reaction between the topcoat and the activator, not by evaporation. This is why the coating reaches a harder, more scratch resistant final surface than single component products that only air dry. The 48 hour window gives the reaction time to complete through the full thickness of the coating. Cutting that time short leaves the interior layers soft, even if the surface feels hard.
Why Bathtub Reglazing Fails
Every peeling or chipping tub Shawn gets called to redo failed for one of these reasons. Understanding what causes a coating to fail explains why the process takes 3 to 5 hours instead of 90 minutes.
Insufficient Sanding
Most CommonThe coating needs a rough surface profile to grip. Skipping sanding entirely, using only one grit, or rushing through without covering curves and corners leaves the primer sitting on a slick surface. The finish peels in sheets, usually starting near the drain or at the waterline.
No Bonding Primer
Very CommonSome companies apply the topcoat directly to the sanded surface without a separate primer. The topcoat relies on the primer to create chemical adhesion to the substrate. Without it, mechanical grip from sanding alone is not enough to hold the coating under daily water and heat exposure.
Brush or Roller Application
CommonUrethane topcoat applied with a brush or roller leaves visible texture, uneven thickness, and trapped air. Thick spots cure slower than thin spots, creating weak points. The texture traps moisture and dirt, accelerating wear. The surface never looks or feels like a factory finish.
Cure Time Cut Short
CommonUsing the tub before the 48 hour cure completes leaves the coating soft underneath even if the surface feels dry. Water trapped under a partially cured coating causes cloudiness, bubbling, and adhesion loss. The damage may not appear until weeks later when the softened areas begin to lift.
DIY Kit Products
FrequentHardware store reglazing kits use single component epoxy that air dries rather than chemically curing. They include a brush or roller instead of spray equipment. The instructions often skip sanding or suggest a quick scuff with fine grit. These kits produce a porous, uneven coating that peels within 6 to 12 months.
Harsh Cleaners After Reglazing
PreventableAbrasive cleaners, scouring pads, and bleach based products break down the urethane topcoat over time. The coating is durable but not indestructible. Using the wrong cleaning products shortens the finish life from 10 to 15 years down to 3 to 5 years, and can void the warranty.
Shawn Redoes Failed Jobs from Other Companies
If your tub was previously reglazed by another company or with a DIY kit and the finish is now peeling, Shawn can strip the failed coating, sand back to the bare substrate, and start fresh with the full 7 step process. The old coating is removed completely so the new finish bonds directly to the original tub surface. Contact Shawn with a photo for a quote on redo work.
The Warranty Behind the Finish
Every reglazing job Shawn completes includes a written warranty. The warranty covers the coating itself. If the finish peels, chips, or loses adhesion under normal use during the warranty period, Shawn comes back and fixes it at no charge.
Residential
5 Year WarrantyCovers all residential bathtub, shower, sink, and tile refinishing work in houses, condos, townhouses, and apartments across the GTA. The warranty applies to coating adhesion, peeling, and chipping under normal household use.
The 5 year warranty is standard on every residential job. It is not an upgrade or an add on. It is included in the quoted price.
Commercial
1 Year WarrantyCovers bathtub and fixture refinishing in hotels, rental properties, student housing, and commercial buildings. Commercial fixtures see heavier use and more varied cleaning products, which is why the warranty period is shorter.
The same TopKote 2K urethane system and 7 step process is used on commercial jobs. The coating is identical. The warranty period reflects the usage environment.
What the Warranty Covers
Covered
- Coating peeling from the substrate under normal use
- Coating chipping without impact damage
- Adhesion failure between primer and topcoat layers
- Bubbling or lifting caused by a process defect
- Discoloration from a coating defect (not cleaning product stains)
Not Covered
- Damage from dropping heavy objects on the surface
- Staining from hair dye, paint, or chemical spills
- Wear from abrasive cleaners or scouring pads
- Damage caused by using the tub before the 48 hour cure
- Normal surface wear after the warranty period ends
The Warranty Exists Because the Process Works
Shawn can offer a 5 year warranty because the 7 step process produces a finish that holds up. Every step, from two stage sanding to bonding primer to multiple sprayed coats of TopKote 2K urethane, is designed to create a coating that bonds permanently to the substrate. Companies that skip these steps cannot warranty their work because the finish is not built to last. A warranty is only as strong as the process behind it.
Common Questions About the Reglazing Process
Answers to the questions Toronto homeowners ask most often about how the reglazing process works, what to expect, and how to care for the finished surface.
Ready to See the Process in Action?
Text a photo of your tub to Shawn. He will confirm what needs to be done and provide a quote, usually within the hour.
Reglazing Services Across the GTA
Shawn reglazes bathtubs, showers, sinks, and tile across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. The same 7 step process, the same TopKote products, and the same 5 year residential warranty apply at every location.
Toronto
Peel Region
York Region
Halton Region
Durham Region
No Travel Fees Within the GTA
The quoted price includes travel to your home, all materials, and the 5 year residential warranty. There are no additional charges for distance within the Greater Toronto Area. Shawn schedules appointments by area to keep the day efficient.
Book Your Tub Reglazing
Text a photo of your tub and your location. Shawn will confirm availability in your area and provide a quote, usually within the hour.





