Hersam Acorn Paper

Is there a
bathtub doctor
in the house?
OLD FIXTURES SEEM LIKE NEW
by G. Lisa Sullivan
Before and after shots tell the story, so
if you’re in the market for a bathroom
renovation, consider the time- and
expense-saving solution of refinishing
instead of replacing your tub, sink,
countertop and tile.
When we moved into our house nearly ten years ago,
almost every room needed to be remodeled, redecorated or
renovated. We did what we could (our budget was only so
big), and the rest is still waiting to be transformed, one area
at a time.
Take our master bathroom, for example. No, I mean,
literally, take it, please! Its turquoise tiles and tub are reminiscent of something that I Dream of Jeannie or Mary
Tyler Moore might have had in their bathrooms during the
1960s and 70s, when our house was built. Even Ginger and
Maryanne probably had prettier bathrooms on the island.
Or did they have outhouses? One thing is certain: They
didn’t have to look at turquoise tiles every day.
When we first looked at our house, our perky, optimistic
Realtor told us, “Just try to ignore the turquoise ... you can
always camouflage it with pretty towels, and new paint on
the walls.”
Well, we’ve tried every trick in the book, and I still can’t
stand the tiles. What I wouldn’t give for some nice, clean
white tiles, a color that would blend with any other hue. I
just don’t want to spend a fortune, and I really don’t want
to live through a messy remodeling. I just want the bathroom to look and feel like new.
Bathtub Rx To The Rescue!
Fortunately, Gary Mott, owner of Bathtub Rx, in
Norwalk, can probably help me, and other homeowners
like me, with this dilemma.
The Norwalk native, with a computer background and
some construction experience, decided to start his own
business after the company for which he was working relocated to Texas.
“My wife and I didn’t want to make the move to Texas,
so I got another job in another corporate company, which
was soon after bought out, and my position eliminated,” he
recalls. “I’d always wanted to have my own business, and it
seemed like the perfect time to start one.”
After researching many areas in the home renovating
market, he landed on bathtub, tile, sink and countertop
refinishing, which, he contends, can potentially save homeowners a lot of money, time and aggravation, when compared to a complete bathroom remodeling job.
“To tear out and replace the average bathtub can cost
The slip-resistant additive helps eliminate the need for
rubber bath mats, and is barely visible, according to Gary.
“If you have your tiles done as well, the grout in between
the tiles is sealed, leaving a uniform, clean-looking finish,
which helps to prevent mold and mildew,” he states.
Polishing Up Your Act
Once the tub has been refinished, it should be cleaned
with non-abrasive cleaners, says Gary, and polishing it occasionally with a urethane polish will help protect the tub, as
well.
“Treat your bathtub like a car,” Gary advises. “You probably wouldn’t wash your car with an abrasive cleanser and a
steel-wool pad, and you shouldn’t do it to your tub, either.”
Most of Gary’s clients choose to refinish their bathtubs
and tile in China White, a fresh, clean neutral that coordinates with virtually any fixtures, paint, towels and flooring.
“My clients tell me that they feel like they’re in a nice hotel
in the thousands,” he explains, “and generally requires the services of a plumber, tile and
grout specialist and carpenter, in addition to
the purchase of a new tub.”
Upon completing an intensive bathtub and
tile refinishing course, which included preparing the tub, fixing dents and scratches, mixing
and applying chemicals and re-caulking, Gary
opened for business.
Before And After
Initially, he will visit a client’s home to estimate the job, or he can give a ballpark figure
over the phone. The entire procedure, which
includes refinishing the tub and tile surround,
takes about six hours. The final finish requires 24 hours to
water cure, and most clients can use their newly finished
tub the next day.
“For most jobs, I’ll begin by putting an exhaust system
in the bathroom window,” Gary says. “Then I clean the tub
with industrial-strength cleaner and remove any existing
caulk. Next I patch any nicks or scratches, sand down any
rust and mask off the tub hardware, faucet and drain plate.
Then I mix the chemicals, which are solvent-based, and
apply the two-part epoxy primer (two to three coats), then
a slip-resistant product to the bottom, then three coats of
topcoat and, finally, new caulking.”
bathroom, once the tub and tile is refinished,” he says.
“It’s ideal for older homes with old tubs and tiles, as long
as everything is structurally sound, and the tile grout is in
good shape.”
While most of Gary’s work encompasses bathtub and tile
refinishing, he can also refinish kitchen countertops, floor
tile, bath and kitchen sinks and fiberglass shower enclosures.
For further information, contact Bathtub Rx, 203-8473708, or visit the company’s Web site: Bathtubrx.com. ♦
Reprinted with permission of Hersam Acorn Newspapers, The HOME Monthly 2006.