How to Remove Caulk Before and After Bathtub Reglazing?

Before you begin reglazing your bathtub, it is important to remove any existing caulking. Next, clean the tub thoroughly, then apply a primer or bonding agent to its surface. Finally, apply a high-quality epoxy coating. To avoid drips from the shower head, wear latex gloves while working on the tub. 

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Removal of caulking 

Fortunately, removing bathtub caulking is easier than you might think. With the right tools and products, you can remove the old caulk in your tub in just minutes. This article will show you how to remove caulk and replace it with a new, sanitary material. 

Cleaning the tub before reglazing 

Before reglazing your tub, it’s vital that you clean the area thoroughly. You can use scouring powder, a scouring pad, or razor scrapers to remove stains and soap scum from the tub. Also, clean the drain and soap dish, which are the two most common areas of tub failure. 

Applying a primer or bonding agent to the tub’s surface 

Before reglazing your bathtub, you must remove the old coating. During this process, you will need to sand the surface, repair any chips or cracks and apply a bonding primer to the surface. You will then spray multiple coats of a finishing substance. This procedure will leave your tub looking as good as new. 

Applying a high-quality epoxy 

Before applying high-quality epoxy to remove bathtub reglazing, you should first remove any existing finish from the surface. This step may require you to use an etching powder. This powder is used to dull the old finish, and you should sprinkle it on the entire surface of the tub. Once the powder has been spread, you should use a scouring pad to thoroughly scrape away the excess. You should follow the instructions on the bottle carefully. 

Cleaning the tub after reglazing 

After the bathtub reglazing, you must thoroughly clean the tub to ensure the new finish will last as long as possible. To keep the finish looking fresh, use non-abrasive cleaners such as Scrubbing Bubbles, Formula 409, or Lysol Tub and Tile Cleaner. You may also use water and a nylon brush with soft bristles to scrub tough stains. To ensure effective cleaning after bathtub reglazing, apply the cleaner to the surface of the tub and scrub it with hot water. 

Using a power buffer to remove the caulking 

Before you begin stripping away old caulk, you need to remove the old caulk from the bathtub walls. This is a messy job but you’ll be rewarded with a sparkling clean bathtub. Caulk remover is available in hardware stores for a small fee.