Alright, so picture this. It’s half past midnight in my flat in Hackney, rain tapping the window, and I’m staring at this awful 1970s avocado-green bathtub that came with the place. Honestly, it’s a mood killer. I’d just made a cuppa, sat on the bathroom floor, and thought—do I really have to rip the whole thing out?
That’s when I fell down the rabbit hole of bathtub reglazing. Blimey, what a world.
Let me walk you through it, ’cause I wish someone had for me. The process—it’s not some quick magic spray, no. I called in a chap named Dave, who’s been doing this since the ’90s. Proper East End bloke, showed up with a van that smelled of chemicals and old sandwiches. First, he sanded the tub down rough—like, really rough—to get the surface ready. The dust got everywhere, I swear I was sneezing out white powder for days. Then he masked everything off with tape and plastic sheets; my bathroom looked like a crime scene.
Next came the acid etch. Strong stuff—opens up the porcelain’s pores, he said. The smell? Pungent, sharp, like a swimming pool mixed with vinegar. Had to keep the window wide open even in February. After rinsing and drying, he sprayed on the new coating. Multiple thin layers, each needing time to cure. He used a proper two-part epoxy acrylic, professional grade. Not the DIY kits you get at the hardware store—those, he laughed, are “a one-way ticket to a sticky mess.” The whole thing took about a day, start to finish. But you can’t use the tub for at least 48 hours after. Felt like forever.
Now, durability. Dave told me straight: “It’s not new, mate. But if you treat it right, it’ll last.” No abrasive cleaners—just mild soap and a soft cloth. No dropping heavy shampoo bottles on it. His own work, he said, typically holds up 10 to 15 years. I’ve had mine done three years now, and apart from one tiny chip from when my mate dropped a metal razor (don’t ask), it still looks brilliant. Smooth, glossy, like a proper new tub.
Compare that to replacement? Oh, completely different ballgame. Last summer, my neighbour Sarah in Islington went for a full swap. Took a week, not a day. Plumbers, tilers, dust, disruption—and the cost made my eyes water. She said the noise alone drove her to work from Costa for three days straight. But her new tub? It’s solid. Should last decades, no fuss.
So here’s the thing. Reglazing is like giving your tub a really good, professional makeover. It’s cheaper, quicker, less messy in the short run. But it’s a bit more… delicate. A bit like wearing a gorgeous silk dress you can’t just throw in the wash. Replacement is the heavy-duty denim jacket—built to last, but you pay upfront in cash and chaos.
Would I do it again? For this old flat, absolutely. It bought me time. But if I ever buy a forever home? I’m going for a brand-new tub, no question. Sometimes, a fresh start is just worth the hassle.
Anyway, that’s my two pence. Hope it helps you decide. Right, my tea’s gone cold—typical. Catch you later.
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