I'm refinishing an old porcelain bath tub and have received an estimate of $400 for the job to be completed by a professional. I thought that was a bit steep considering the tub is in pretty darn good shape. There are no cracks, no rust stains and no major flaws. It just needs a good cleaning to bring it's sparkle back to life. Any thoughts on costs or alternative ways of refinishing the tub?

Thanks,
TJ - San Diego

I'm sure there are products out there for tubs that should bring some shine back to them. Hopefully some one here could give you an idea.
As for the estimate, 400.00 doesn't seem to bad. Did you get any more estimates? A friend of mine had his tub and tile reglazed. He went from peptobismal pink to white. The company gave him a 5 year warranty on the tub glazing. If they give you a warranty that is worth it, go for it. It will look better than it does now.

IIRC, Miracle Method was about $1000 to do a full size tub and tile surround in the bay area. Tub-only was less than that, but I think it was more than $400. If it just needs a good cleaning, have you considered just trying products like soft scrub with bleach and CLR?

I'm refinishing an old porcelain bath tub and have received an estimate of $400 for the job to be completed by a professional. I thought that was a bit steep considering the tub is in pretty darn good shape. There are no cracks, no rust stains and no major flaws. It just needs a good cleaning to bring it's sparkle back to life. Any thoughts on costs or alternative ways of refinishing the tub?

Thanks,
TJ - San Diego
Believe it or not that's the going rate, call different companies there competitive. But keep in mind different have a paper thin shiny glaze when there new, through the years of using comet or ajax even bleach will take that shiny gaze off, the tub may look white but if the inside of your tub is shiny like the outside of the tub your okay, but if it's not, then your shiny gaze is gone and you can't bring that back. The cost of replacing a tub can run as much as $3000.