I am in the process of re-painting an old tub, and re-grouting bathroom tile. I bought a product called Tough As Tile Tub and Tile Brush-On Epoxy Finish. It claims it is self leveling and won't leave any brush marks. Has anyone tried this product? I am wondering if it is worth all of the trouble? The tub has been repatched once and has a discoloration where it had been patched. It really needs a make-over. Other than the discoloration this tub is really sound.

Re-Grouting

Oh boy.. I am going to try and tackle this one on my own. I think I am asking for punishment..lol. I have been researching different ways to go about this project, and everyone seems to have something different to say. Anyone have any tips on the fasted most painless way to remove the old grout from in between the tiles? I think I could probably manage the actual grouting process with out to much difficulty, right..lol? I want to keep the old tiles intact. They are bright white and in excellent condition.

Thanks,

-barbara

Thanks for the tips. Yes, we do have to many projects going at once. It is so easy to do when you are remodeling an older home and have to make repairs on top of everything. Hub commented about all the project we have started already and have not finished. We have a baby coming in less than 2 months as well, and are taking care of his Granny that has Althziemer's. I am half ready to throw in the towel and take a mini vacation. Thankfully, I have everything ready for the baby. We ended up stopping all of our other projects when we noticed the cracks in the grouting. I think we will complete this project first and then move on. We are also caught up in the flooring project as the old tiles we found out might have had asbestos in them. I want this complete to before the baby gets here. Does it ever end?

Thanks again,

-barbara

We are actually in the middle of using a vinyl laminate/ wood looking planks throughout the entire home. We are placing it over the existing vinyl type old tiling. We first applied a latex primer and we tiled a small area first to see how it would hold up before doing the whole house. I am very pleased with the laminate. The price was sweet. I was not expecting it to actually bond very well. It has held up beautifully so far, and is soooo easy to clean. We were going to tear up the old tiling first, but the Floor Specialist at Lowe's said that it would be fine just to laminate over it. I am so glad we did not tear up the tiles.

While I was in Lowe's...(hee hee), I saw this Granite counter top I had fell in love with. When I took a look at the price it nearly knocked me over. We currently have heavy old ugly counter tops that were about 30 years old. I was going to just replace it with a new cut out piece of formica. I knew hub would have a fit if I started another long project. Soo.. I went and purchased some vinyl floor tiling. They had tiling that looked like granite, but instead I went for a neutral, non-shiny stone looking tile. I purchased in a gray color to go with the baby blue kitchen.

I primed the counter tops like I did with the flooring, and used the same stuff. In a matter of a few hours, and less than $40 spent, we had completed the project from start to finish. The edges of the tiling were beveled, so we ended up using caulk in between the tiling. Hub thought that putting vinyl flooring tiles on the counter tops was kind of a crazy idea but went with it thankfully. I can't believe how nice it turned out. I have had several compliments on it.

After we finished that project, my hub said that he was thankful it turned out well, but he has since banned me from going to Lowe's, and from watching HGTV..haha! He is right, and I promised him I would not go to Lowe's or any other home improvement place for the next few months. I guess its pretty bad when the sales clerks know me by name in there. I am always dabbling into something.


-barbara

tough as tile is good stuff.....but follow the directions to the letter. Here are a couple of BIG tips not emphasized in the directions.
1) put the coats on THIN!! the first coat may not seem like its covering but don't worry....the second coat will. THIN, THIN, THIN. I did two tubs with one two part system. thats two coats on two tubs. so you may wish to have two items preped if you've got'em.
2) put a plastic bag around the faucet.......the lonely drip will destroy the curing process.
3) NO sandpaper preping.......since it contaminates the surface
4) wash your steel wool before using....since they oil it at the factory.
5) Use long one-way brush strokes. don't worry, the product LEVELS great..you won't see one brush line.

I did two tubs......the second came out great because the first was a learning process................a hard one..... since I put the first coat on too heavy

6) It can be tinted but tint BEFORE you mix. The bright white does NOT go with any older bath tubs, tiles or sinks......tint to an antique white.
7) Lastly...have laquer thinner on hand for clean up and have plenty of disposable gloves and make room in your freezer to place the product between coats. LET THE TUBS CURE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE USING.

GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY THE RESULTS!

RE: Re-grouting and Bathtub Refinisher
tough as tile is good stuff.....but follow the directions to the letter. Here are a couple of BIG tips not emphasized in the directions.
1) put the coats on THIN!! the first coat may not seem like its covering but don't worry....the second coat will. THIN, THIN, THIN. I did two tubs with one two part system. thats two coats on two tubs. so you may wish to have two items preped if you've got'em.
2) put a plastic bag around the faucet.......the lonely drip will destroy the curing process.
3) NO sandpaper preping.......since it contaminates the surface
4) wash your steel wool before using....since they oil it at the factory.
5) Use long one-way brush strokes. don't worry, the product LEVELS great..you won't see one brush line.

I did two tubs......the second came out great because the first was a learning process................a hard one..... since I put the first coat on too heavy

6) It can be tinted but tint BEFORE you mix. The bright white does NOT go with any older bath tubs, tiles or sinks......tint to an antique white.
7) Lastly...have laquer thinner on hand for clean up and have plenty of disposable gloves and make room in your freezer to place the product between coats. LET THE TUBS CURE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE USING.

GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY THE RESULTS

I have just tried the Tough-as-tile refinisher (in basic white). I have put on what I think is a very thin coat. I can see the old tub color underneath (pale yelow) and there are definately brush marks. How long does it take to level out the brush marks? Or, will the second thin coat take care of any marks or color left behing.

Everything everyone has said is true. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, and the advice to go THIN is very good. If you can see your original tile colour through the first coat, don't worry. It will be covered by the second, or if necessary a third coat. But I didn't have to use a third coat.

One problem I encountered, though is that the resulting "White" was more like cream instead of snow/pure white. This makes the tub clash with the new toilet and countertop I put in the bathroom. Still cream is better than the original spotty orange/rust original colour.

Question: Why do you recommend putting the unused product in the freezer between coatings?

I waited for several weeks (I've been out of town.) between the first and second coatings. I wonder if this could have resulted in the cream colour I got.

hey bohemiansmile...

Thank you for all of your previous tips.

When you did your tub...did you start at the bottom, work up the back side and then do the near side. Just want to get a few more details.

Thanks!