Learn how to care for your fresh new surface. We will provide you with everything you need to know as a valued BathTubGuys customer…
How do you clean a refinished bathtub?
The most effective way is by utilizing all purpose cleaners free from bleach or harsh acids as well as using a soft towel or sponge to wipe it down.
Why no bleach?
Bleach is too abrasive for most resins and polyurethanes. It can cause chemical burn as well wearing down the protective layers of the application which will lead to staining and a flat finish more susceptible to peeling. Bleach is so abrasive that it can wear down porcelain itself, if you’ve ever seen a bathtub with the tub floor looking gray or black it’s typically caused by abrasives like bleach and “Ajax” wearing the porcelain down to the bare steel.
That’s right, your old tub may not be stained or dirty it may very well have the tub floor worn out due to cleaning with abrasives for long periods of time. No worries thought, you can call a professional Bathtub Refinishing company and salvage the tub before the tub worsens. On your refinished surfaces Magic Eraser sponges will wear down the material and wreck the shine making them appear flat or opaque. They will also leave swirls on the tub finish because they are essentially sand paper, this will lead to material cracking and eventually peeling after prolonged use.
Warranty
For best results be sure to keep your Lifetime Warranty handy and follow the rules as written. Lost your copy? No worries. We’ve included a written version below on this post.
Allow 24 Hours to Dry Ready to use tomorrow at ______ PM Your BathTubGuys representative warrants the materials and workmanship used in the resurfacing or reglazing of your bathtub surface he/she has worked on to be free from peeling or lifting due to a chemical failure or failure of adhesion for a Lifetime or 25 years from the date of application. Ceramic Tile & Counters are also covered for 25 years. Sinks are covered for a period of 5 Years. Damage caused by chips, rust, removal of caulking, bleaches, abrasive cleaners, hair dyes, degradation of surface due to failure of cleaning, damage from bath mats (which void your warranty) or failure to fix a leak on the faucet or shower head is NOT warranted.
* We DO NOT warrant installation of caulking or for repair of : rust, scratches , chips, patched or sealed holes, on tub or sink surfaces of materials such as metals, porcelain, fiberglass, plastic, acrylic and similar surfaces-any repairs made are never to be considered as permanent repairs and Bath-TubGuys and as well as their representatives make no warranty on such repairs & assume no liability for any damages caused by them, this includes any man-made I accidental damage.
* BathTubGuys MUST BE NOTIFIED WITHIN 7 DAYS OF DAMAGE BEFORE IT GETS WORSE. If your coating begins to lift or bubble and you fail to contact us, it may eventually peel causing us to have to refinish a larger portion of the surface or possibly the whole surface at your expense. Call us at the first sight of damage.
* The warranty is transferable. No repair, reglazing, resurfacing or refinishing shall extend the warranty period beyond the original term. ALL care instructions must be followed for your warranty to be valid. BathTubGuys representative reserves the right to determine whether or not a defect exists under the terms of this warranty. When making a repair claim, please have available your cash receipt or canceled check along with the actual warranty.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR REFINISHED SURFACES
- Avoid use of silicone based caulk if you need to re-caulk areas refinished. (Kwik Seal) brand is the recommended caulk.
- Always maintain caulking around the tub Use a non-abrasive (liquid or foam type) for cleaning your tub. We recommend a product called “Simple Green”).
- Use only a non-abrasive sponge. No scrubby pads or Magic Erasers.
- Do not use any bath mats. We offer a permanent non slip solution If needed.
- Bath beads, oils, or bubbles baths Ok after 72 hours.
- If you feel tiny particles on the surface of your newly refinished bathtub, please do not pick on them, they will wash away during normal use and cleaning.
- Don’t use masking tape on refinished surfaces. Paint Safe Tape OK after 30 Days.
ALL MUST BE FOLLOWED
Top Ten List of Rules For Your Refinished Bathtub:
- DO NOT use the surface for the specified number of days or hours indicated by the refinisher who completed the job. Your tub was completed at am/pm, Do not use tub for 24 hours.
- DO NOT lay soap or bottles or any objects on the finish at any time!
- DO NOT let a leaky faucet go un-repaired.
- DO NOT use abrasive cleansers. No S-O-S Pads. No Bleach. No Magic Erasers No Soft Scrub.
- DO NOT use bath mats with suctions underneath.
- DO NOT pick surface dust off with your finger. Any surface dust will dissipate in 3-4 weeks with normal cleaning and usage.
- DO NOT allow pets in the tub-bathing pets in your refinished tub may damage the surface.
- The best way to keep your tub clean is to wipe it down with a towel after each use. You don’t have to wipe it dry. Do not allow water to “puddle”, damp dry the tub after every use.
- Here are some good cleansers to use: Simple Green, Mr. Clean, DOW, Fantastic for Bathroom
- Wax tubs once every 4 months with a urethane polish (Recommended but not necessary)
In conclusion, it seems like there’s a lot to take in to know how to properly care for you refinished surfaces but rest assured knowing BathTubGuys gives you everything you need to know to maintain stellar condition on your refinished bathtub, tile or countertop. Simply use non bleach all purpose cleaners and non abrasive sponges or towels and you should be fine maintaining your surfaces for years to come.
What cleaners are safe? At BathTubGuys we highly recommend “Simple Green” it’s a environmentally friendly mild cleanser that is readily available in most big box retailers. Be sure to try and purchase the “ready to use” formula for best results. They do sometimes sell concentrate of the product which is fine but you will need to dilute it to the proper ratio.
Other cleaners we recommend are “Fantastik” for bathroom (bleach free of course) , “Scott’s Scrub & Bubbles” which is a foam cleaner and “409” which is a great degreaser and disinfectant.
What can I use to wipe my refinished surfaces? We recommend a terry towel, paper towel, or soft kitchen sponge to wipe your bathtub down, do not use the abrasive side of the kitchen sponge as it’s typically made from steel wool and it will damage your finish.
Can I use a “Mr. Clean Magic Eraser” ? Absolutely not. It may suppose you to know Magic Eraser type sponges are extremely abrasive. Due to their soft touch to the hand and their stellar marketing many people think these sponges truly are magical. Well, unfortunately they’re not. These sponges are made of a foam called melamine foam, this is a standard use foam in buffing pads for car detailing and are designed to lightly sand the surface when being used. This is precisely why they seemingly clean so effectively, they are sanding down the surfaces slightly to clean them.