Acrylic Tub Refinishing Really Works

Replacing an old tub is expensive and time-consuming. Taking out the tub usually requires re-tiling the tub-surround as well. All that expense is fine if you are improving a home you own, but what if you rent, or your budget is small?

My mother recently hired an acrylic refinishing company to redo the bathtub in a rental property they own. I went by to check it out yesterday, and it looks amazing! For under $300, they have a like-new white tub where there used to be a chipped pink one (photo from site, not my mom's project). The refinisher I queried said that the acrylic coating comes in tons of colors, though the site only shows white. They also do tile and counter tops.

The only question in my mind is how the finish will fare over time. There are limitations on how it can be cleaned (i.e. no harsh scrubs), which worries me a little. If I decide to give it a try on our 1950's tub, I'll let you know what I think.