Etching your bathtub with an acid solution is very important. Here is why.

Your bathtub

Your cast iron or steel bathtub is basically a metal shell with glass baked on at high temperature. Yes, it is glass; and not much different than the glasses in your cupboard or the glass on your windows. Glass is very hard and by nature non-porous. This makes it ideal for bathtubs and sinks as they are sanitary and things don't stick to it. This is the problem; a new surface won't stick to it either. This original surface must be changed so a new surface will be attached.

Refinishing

The refinishing of your bathtub requires using a material that is applied over the top of the existing bathtub. To make this work and last a long time this material must stick or adhere properly. Our refinishing material is very sticky, it wants to adhere but it needs the proper surface to adhere permanently. It must become part of the bathtub, not just laying over the top.

Preparing the bathtub surface

The original bathtub surface must be prepared properly for your new surface to adhere. There are several ways to do this; it can be abraded with sandpaper (which takes forever and doesn't really work well), or use a bonding agent (this is very helpful but not a complete solution to the problem), or you can etch the bathtub. Etching the bathtub 'breaks open' the hard shiny surface and creates billions of microscopic pits. This gives the new surface a firm grip or a 'mechanical bond' where the new material is physically attached to the original surface.

Our process

The process we use is derived from many years of experience. Hard won experience where we know first hand what works, what doesn't work and why. In preparing the original bathtub surface we use all of the methods mentioned above; your bathtub is cleaned, then etched, washed, dried and sanded. Before the new refinishing material is applied a chemical bonding agent is also applied to promote a 'covalent bond'. The combination of these procedures gives the new coating the optimal surface to adhere to. It works and it is permanent.

Is etching acid safe?

Yes. But it depends on what is being used and how it is handled. The acid we use is so dilute (about 20% acid) that it is just strong enough to etch the bathtub slightly. It does not 'smoke' when it is applied and only enough is used to get the job done (4 -6 ounces). It does not run down your drain (it's not strong enough to hurt your drain anyway) and it is confined to your bathtub. The etch solution is carefully applied and is wiped off; the bathtub is neutralized and dried. We use chemical gloves, goggles, respirators and ventilation equipment. The etching process is contained and safe. It is used and handled properly. The acid we use is also contained in cleaning agents you can buy at the store; it is a common chemical.

Why do other companies make such a big deal about this?

There is one word. Employees. These companies have found out the hard way that if the employees are handling the acid incorrectly they can hurt themselves. If you carefully read their disclaimers they make it sound like they are doing you a big favor in not etching your bathtub. In reality this is 'spin' at best and deception at worst. They can't have employees handling acid on jobsites. We handle the acid properly, carefully and safely. Problem solved.

Other benefits and considerations

Our acid solution is also useful for cleaning the really tough stuff; the sticky scale and rust that is imbedded in your bathtub or fiberglass unit. This is the only way to get rid of it, and it has to be removed. In the case of fiberglass units etching is ineffective; but the same result is achieved by sanding the surface thoroughly (it is naturally porous underneath too). If your bathtub is not etched before it is refinished it will peel in a short time. We do many 'strip jobs' every year because of this; where the refinished tub must be stripped with a chemical paint remover so it can be prepared and refinished properly.

Acid etching is safe, effective and necessary

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