Reglazing. Refinishing. Resurfacing.
When the house or apartment is occupied, we provide written information about what to do before our crew arrives for your reglazing service.
For example:
- Everything that can be removed must be taken out of the work area or covered; especially personal belongings, valuables, or other items the occupant does not want dust to settle on during the reglazing work.
- Vacate pets and people from the premises during the process and for four hours afterward, especially if they have respiratory sensitivity issues or concerns about the fumes and dust caused by our work.
- You can see full details on our Reglazing Care Instructions page.
First, we install a portable ducted ventilation system that we bring to the job site to expel the spray fumes to the outdoors and ensure a clean flow of air into the work area.
We then thoroughly tarp the traffic areas and other areas not worked on in the room to protect them from overspray.
This is a very important step to ensure proper bonding of the new surface to the fixture being reglazed. The fixture is thoroughly cleaned of all contaminants: wax, soap, grease, and water mineral build-ups.
Silicone caulk is removed from the fixture as it does not allow the glaze coating to stick. Further cleaning is done with sanding and acid wash to etch the surfaces where possible and is needed. This step will de-gloss the original surface making it porous to create a physical or mechanical bond that allows the adhesion of the new coat.
Top Refinishing uses a top-grade solution that will not damage faucets, other metal fixtures, or the septic system pipes.
This will require different approaches, depending on the size of the damage, and the type of surface.
Wherever there are chips, cracks, cave-ins, weak spots, etc., those are fixed so that the surface recovers its integrity of function and durability. We do this with the proper materials and techniques to keep with the original manufacture of the fixture.
For instance, a porcelain finish over a cast iron bathtub is repaired like the body of a car. A fiberglass bathtub, however, is repaired like the body of a plastic or fiberglass boat.
A special bonding primer is applied by hand to ensure strong adhesion between the now clean fixture’s surface and the refinishing substances that will be sprayed on.
We then cover flooring and other nearby surfaces with tarps, masking tape, and paper to protect them from overspray.
The finishing is made of several coats of a catalytic mixture of reglazing substances that are specifically formulated just for refinishing.
This is sprayed onto the surface of the fixture in the color chosen by the customer. The material is applied unadulterated and undiluted with a high volume / low-pressure spray system.
With extensive training and experience, our technicians acquire the skill to spray evenly, resulting in a drip-free and evenly coated surface.
Now the surface is smooth and shining. It looks and feels much like the original— sometimes even better!
After the bathtub is refinished, our technician will inform you. He will leave a note with the time and date of when you can resume using your tub again, normally within 24 to 48 hours. This is because the glaze needs enough time to dry, that time will allow the glaze to harden. However, the glaze itself won’t fully cure for seven days. This means it’s extremely important that you prevent objects like bottles of shampoo, razors, and any other bathtub items from laying on the tub or dropping them while you’re in the shower—it could permanently damage the finish.
After seven days, the glaze will be fully hardened and you’ll be able to use your tub normally. Still, it’s important to follow our care and maintenance instructions that will be provided to you by our Technician - be sure to follow them. He will also leave another copy right next to the tub in case the unit is vacant, and when a new prospective tenant arrives, they’ll be able to follow the instructions.
We have a section where we cover answers to Frequently Asked Questions our clients ask.
Of course, if you have questions about the procedure, be sure to ask them. We’ll be happy to help, and you will minimize any potential damage if we clear up any doubts.
