Berkeley Tub Reglazing StudioEst. 2014 · Berkeley, CAMost calls we get from Berkeley homeowners start with the same handful of questions: what does it cost, how long does it last, and is the old tub even worth saving. The answers below cover those and the rest of what people ask once they start looking at a reglaze instead of a tear-out. They apply to bathtubs, showers, sinks, countertops and tile across the city, from the cast-iron clawfoots of the Berkeley Hills to the fiberglass shower units of 1980s West Berkeley apartments. If your question is not here, call (510) 746-8748 and ask — we would rather talk it through than have you guess.
Reglazing FAQ · Berkeley, CA
Reglazing FAQ in Berkeley, CA
Straight answers on cost, lifespan, cure time, materials and care — the questions Berkeley homeowners and landlords ask us most.
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–5:30 PM, Sat 9 AM–4 PM
Est. 2014 · a Berkeley refinishing studio
Berkeley reglazing questions, answered
What is bathtub reglazing?
Bathtub reglazing is the process of restoring a tub's surface by bonding a new coating to it rather than replacing the fixture. The old surface is etched or scuff-sanded, sealed with a bonding primer, then sprayed with several coats of acrylic-urethane that level into one continuous, glossy finish.
What is the difference between reglazing, refinishing and resurfacing?
They are three names for the same job — restoring a fixture's surface by bonding a new coating to it. None is a liner or a full replacement; the original tub stays in place and gets a fresh, durable finish.
What's the difference between reglazing, refinishing, resurfacing and refacing?
There is none — reglazing, refinishing, resurfacing, refacing and re-enameling are interchangeable names for one job: bonding a single new coating onto your existing Berkeley fixture so it looks new, with no tear-out. That is different from a bath liner or insert, which is a separate acrylic shell set over the old tub. We restore the original fixture instead.
How much does bathtub reglazing cost in Berkeley?
In Berkeley, bathtub reglazing runs $739–$895, shower refinishing $929–$1,045, sinks $429–$500, countertops $529–$650, and tile from $539. The final number depends on the fixture's material, size and condition. See the full Berkeley pricing breakdown.
How long does bathtub reglazing last?
A professionally reglazed bathtub lasts 10–15 years with proper care. The lifespan comes from full prep — etching, a bonding primer and a sprayed acrylic-urethane topcoat — not from a quick roll-on kit, which usually fails in 3–5 years. More on how long reglazing lasts.
How long before I can use a reglazed tub?
The surface is dry to the touch in about 24 hours and ready for normal use 24–48 hours after the final coat is sprayed. We re-caulk and walk you through care before we leave.
How long does the reglazing job take?
Most single-fixture Berkeley jobs are finished on-site in 3–5 hours, same day. We mask and ventilate, prep, repair, prime and spray in one visit, then leave the surface to cure for 24–48 hours.
Is reglazing cheaper than replacing a bathtub?
Yes. Reglazing a Berkeley bathtub costs $739–$895 and is finished in a day, while tearing out and replacing a tub — especially a built-in cast-iron one — runs into the thousands once plumbing, tile and labor are added. Refinishing saves roughly 50–75% versus replacement.
Can you reglaze a clawfoot or cast-iron tub?
Yes. Clawfoot and cast-iron tubs are some of the best candidates for reglazing because the heavy substrate is sound. We acid-etch the original porcelain, repair chips and rust spots, then spray a new acrylic-urethane finish, preserving the tub rather than replacing it.
Can you reglaze a fiberglass tub or shower?
Yes. Fiberglass and acrylic tubs and shower surrounds are scuff-sanded and treated with an adhesion promoter before the topcoat, which covers faded color, crazing and dullness common in 1980s and 1990s Berkeley apartments.
Can you reglaze bathroom or shower tile?
Yes. We clean and etch the tile and grout, apply a bond coat, then spray a topcoat that recolors the tile in place — a new color and a sealed finish without ripping out a single tile. Tile reglazing in Berkeley starts at $539.
Can I change the color of my tub or tile?
Yes. We most often spray a bright or warm white, but we can match almond, bone or a neutral you choose. Recoloring a dated pink or avocado tile wall to white is one of the most common Berkeley requests.
Why is my reglazed tub peeling, and can it be fixed?
Peeling, or delamination, almost always traces back to skipped prep — no etch, no primer, or coating sprayed over soap film. We strip the failed finish back to a sound surface, re-prep correctly, and recoat so the new finish bonds and stays put.
Can you repair chips, cracks and rust before reglazing?
Yes. Chips are filled and feathered, hairline cracks are filled and sanded level, and rust spots are ground back to sound metal and sealed before priming. Minor repair is included in the quoted tub price; heavy rust or a structural crack is priced on top and named before we start.
Is the reglazing finish slippery, and can I get a non-slip bottom?
A reglazed surface is no more slippery than original porcelain when dry, but any wet tub is slick. We can add an optional slip-resistant texture to the tub floor during the job for safer footing.
How do I clean and care for a reglazed tub?
Use a non-abrasive liquid cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge. Skip abrasive powders, scouring pads and harsh bathroom acids, avoid leaving bath mats with suction cups stuck down, and fix any dripping faucet, since standing water is the main thing that shortens a finish.
Will reglazing smell, and do I need to leave?
There is a paint-like odor during and shortly after spraying. We set up ventilation and containment to control it, and we recommend keeping the bathroom window cracked and the door closed for a few hours. The smell clears well before the surface is ready to use.
Do you offer a warranty, and are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Berkeley Tub Reglazing Studio is fully licensed and insured, and every refinishing job is backed by a 5-year written warranty against peeling and adhesion failure under normal use.
Do you work with landlords and property managers in Berkeley?
Yes. We turn around tubs and showers between leases for rentals near Southside, Le Conte and across Berkeley, scheduling around tenant move-out and move-in dates so a unit is ready for the next lease.
Which Berkeley neighborhoods do you serve?
We serve all of Berkeley — Elmwood, North Berkeley, Claremont, the Berkeley Hills, the Gourmet Ghetto, Southside, Le Conte, Thousand Oaks, Westbrae and West Berkeley — covering ZIP codes 94702, 94703, 94704, 94705, 94707, 94708, 94709 and 94710. See all areas served.
How do I get a quote?
Call (510) 746-8748, Monday–Friday 8 AM–5:30 PM and Saturday 9 AM–4 PM, or book online for a free same-day quote. Sending a photo of the fixture helps us give a firm number on the spot.
Still have a question?
Mon–Fri 8 AM–5:30 PM, Sat 9 AM–4 PM. Fully licensed & insured, with a 5-year written warranty.