We are in the process of a DIY to our bathroom. very very outdated. all fixtures are a baby blue...yes blue. we will be replacing everything except the tub very good shape, but it's blue. We are looking to paint it white. Has anyone did this them selves or should we just contact a professional also what is the normal cost? Last who would we contact would that be just a basic painter.

Hi. I had a regular tub done recently $500 which included a nonslip bottom. Came out really good.

don't call a painter. You need a porcelain refinishing specialist. I had my whole master bath refinished (sink,tub,wall tile, countertop) by a company that sprays a new finish over the old tub. My tub was not only pink, but there were some rusty spots especially around the overflow. I had the tub and sink done in a medium gray and the tile and counter in burgundy. It is beautiful. the company I used is a franchisee of a company named Kott. and the whole project cost me just under $700...which was a bargain considering that the estimate I had gotten just to replace the tub and tile was over $4000. Good Luck.

Last year + I used a product called 'Tough As Tile' epoxy by Komax from Home Depot or Lowes.
The product comes in either spray, 2 cans, or brush on paint. I recommend the spray as it covers without streaks. The choices I seen were either white or almond. I used white.
I too started with pepto bismol pink...tub, sink and toilet and also a groovy 60s era 6 foot formica (pink) counter top that did nothing but take up space from the small room.
Since I wanted to retain the original integrity of the home as much as possible, gutting the whole room and starting over was not a viable option. The lowest estimate to do this was $14,000. As much as I am able to afford the remodel and as nice as the drawings looked, I just refused to have the original walls and tile torn out.
I used the product (3 packages total) to spray the tub, sink, countertop and outside of the toilet. It came out very nice for a total expense of around $150 and a two day (8 hour) job. The package includes a pack of TSP cleaner, steel wool and gloves for cleaning the oils and other deep soil away before painting.
Before I painted the tub and other things, I used Zinnser primer to paint over the pink tile which surrounded the whole room. They have a new paint that does not require you to sand the glaze off the tile as it sticks to it fine.
After I finished it and then topcoated it with Valspar enamel bath and kitchen paint (both paint products contain a water/mold preventative additive) my job of removing the Pepto Bismol image was slowly disappearing.
I then used the spray to slowly paint the tub. This is where it is a time consuming job as you need to apply many coats of very light paint and 'build' the finish. By using light coats, you avoid runs that will ruin the project.
The catcher here is that you have a total of 90 minutes once you start to complete the project.
So you spray a light coat, check for runs, give it 10 minutes or so to dry then apply another coat. This process has to be repeated several times, but in the end, it looks like an original white tub.
I then used the same product to cover the counter top, sink and outside of the toilet.
Over a month ago, I decided to just replace the vanity (bye bye useless space taking countertop) and toilet with new items.
So now here I am with a 'new' bathroom and in the process, saved over $13k on the job.
I have had several people, including a few realtor friends who are totally amazed with the outcome as the tub looks fantastic!
I tried to post pics of the end product, but I cannot get them to post!
Anyway, it is possible to do this, but it does take careful work and time do get the right end product.
I would recommend this project and product to intermediate DIYers as it is a good idea to do to save **$ and from what I hear, is good as the companys who do this refinishing.
One drawback, you do need to have a well ventilated room and a second bathroom as it takes around 3 or 4 days to properly cure before use.
I think Komax does have a web site that goes in depth on their products..
Any other questions on my project, feel free to ask...
Good Luck and lets get everyone on this board to pledge to NEVER..... EVER use anything but white bathroom 'appliances' in any remodel!!
I should add, the lower 4 feet of my kitchen also had the same pink ceramic tile that I again used Zinnser primer (4 coats) followed with Sherwin Williams topcoat (4 coats) paint to cover. The kitchen is now going over 3 years of daily use ( I cook alot) and still looks as good as it did on day one.

thanks I will look in to both the spray and the professionals

I have never repainted a tub, but when I was younger I lived in an apartment that had painted the tub. After several months the paint started pealing off. It was gross! I wouldn't recommend it. I would spend the money for a new one.

We had our tub done professionally - cost was about $250-$300.

I'm with Caldwelling -- moved into a house - thought the tub was fine -- in 2 months big pieces of paint floating around -- yuk! had to redo the whole bathroom because they painted the vanity/sink, too and it peeled as well as part of the tile. Glad we redid it all and kept it with the era of the house so it doesn't look like a spa or something.

I also heard that it may only last a max of 5 yrs. and then peel off.

I have done both to my ugly, stained tub. I say go with the professional glazer. I followed all of the steps very carefully. This resulted in the tub being out of commission for several days. VERY soon after completion, the epoxy substance started peeling off. I finally had a profession come in which cost extra ** to have the old stuff taken off. The professional glazer took about 2-3hrs to complete the job & we were able to use the tub in 24hrs. The cost was $450. He guarantees it for 5yrs but said it could last well over that. It is still worth it if I have to have it redone somewhere down the line. You can not use any suction cup bath mats & no abrasive cleaner but it cleans up so much easier and nicer now. I shouldn't have waited so long to have it done.

Sorry for mistakes in previous post. It is obvious I didn't proof read.

I painted my tub a few yrs. ago with the HD TUB KIT.It looked good for about a year then started peeling.The quality of the materials from the professionals is far superior to the HD paint kit.Definately dont do it yourself.I see that you live in the PHILA.,PA. area ,theres a company ih so,jersey that does a very good job but I dont if i'm allowed to say their name.Anyway Isuggest having it done professionately

We had our pinkish tub done white by professionals. It lasted over 20 years. Finally it showed some wear to the cast iron.
A total bath remodel = new tub.
Cost was painting (2 day job) $300. $700+ today would be a doable price.
The only damage to the finish was caused by a plastic boat that slid off the corner and the prow took out a strip of finish from the bottom of the tub. (Not my boat.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: M-ma,

Good topic and responses. I have old white tub that needs to be resurfaced. I thought about doing it myself, but I think I will let the pros do it.