Through Thick and Thin: The Proper Amount of Refinishing Product

How much coating to apply

One of the most important steps in a refinishing project is also one of the easiest to mess up: applying just the right amount of bathtub resurfacing products to ensure the job gets done right. It can be easy to assume that you can just “eyeball it” and hope that it will be good enough, but there are actually very specific parameters for making sure that the resurfacing spray dries at optimum performance. The right coating thickness will make sure that the protective abilities of the product are at their strongest. Below are some issues you may see if the coating is not applied correctly.

Too Thin

When not enough refinishing material is applied to the surface, the layer will be too thin and this can lead to several different issues. One of these problems it that the coating will be more susceptible to chipping and cracking, especially after prolonged use. This is exactly the type of issue that bathtub resurfacing is meant to remedy, so it can be very disappointing to homeowners if their bathtub continues to have the same issues as before.

Another risk that comes with a thin layer of coating is that the underlying substrate may not be protected enough. This means that it is more susceptible to environmental factors like light and water, and could break down more easily. Again, this is exactly the issue that brings refinishers to homes in the first place, so don't work backward!

Too Thick

You may think that in order to avoid the problems associated with a thin layer of bathtub resurfacing products you should instead make the layer extra thick. In fact, there are even more issues associated with a too-thick layer of bathtub resurfacing!

One issue is that a thick layer of coating will greatly increase the time it takes for the tub to dry. This can lead to unwelcome conversations with homeowners who expected the project to be finished by a certain time. One of the biggest problems associated with a too thick application of resurfacing product is that the coatings may not cure properly. When this happens, the surface is at an increased risk for damage.

When the layer is too thick it can also start to run, especially on the sides of the tub. This can cause the surface to become uneven, as it will dry with bumps and grooves.

An uneven surface can also be caused by “wrinkling,” which is when the top layer of the coating dries before the layers underneath. This uneven exposure to air and the environment will eventually cause the surface to dry faster in different places, creating wrinkles.

To avoid all of these issues, make sure you are familiar with the coating specifications of the refinishing products you are using and always follow their exact instructions! As always, NAPCO is here as a resource on and off the job so you can feel free to give us a call if you are uncertain as to how much coating to apply.