It happens in slow motion: the heavy glass perfume bottle or the wrench slips from your hand. CRACK. You look down to see a black jagged chip in your pristine white bathtub.
A chipped bathtub is an eyesore, drawing the eye immediately. But it is also a functional problem. That chip is a breach in your tub’s armor, allowing water to seep under the surrounding enamel, leading to rust, peeling, and further damage.
Should you buy a $20 kit online, or call a pro? Let’s compare the options.
The Truth About DIY Chip Repair Kits
Walk into any home improvement store, and you’ll see “Porcelain Repair” in a little bottle. It looks like white nail polish.
The Problem with DIY Kits:
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Color Mismatch: “White” is not a single color. There is Kohler White, American Standard White, Bone, Biscuit, Almond… A generic kit will almost never match your specific tub’s aged hue. The result is a white polkad-dot effect that looks cheap.
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Texture Issues: Dab-on fillers are self-leveling but rarely dry perfectly flat. You end up with a bump that catches dirt.
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Adhesion Failure: Without industrial etching and priming, these patches often pop out after a few months of hot showers.
The Professional Approach: The “Invisible” Repair
Professional refinishers don’t just “dab and go.” They perform a structural and cosmetic repair that blends seamlessly.
Step 1: The Fill
The technician cleans and etches the chip to ensure a bond. They fill the void with a high-strength poly-filler that is waterproof and expands/contracts with the tub’s temperature changes (preventing future cracking).
Step 2: The Blend (Spot Repair vs. Full Glaze)
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Spot Blend: For newer tubs, a pro can sometimes mix a custom color on-site to match your existing enamel and fade the new coating into the old one.
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Full Resurface: For older tubs or tubs with multiple chips, the best value is to repair the chips and then spray the entire tub. This makes the tub look brand new and ensures uniform color and gloss.
Why “Spot Repair” is Often a Myth
Many homeowners ask for just “one little spot” to be fixed. While possible, spot repairs are difficult to guarantee because the old surface around the repair is likely worn and dirty. A full resurface ensures the entire tub is sealed and uniform, usually for only a slightly higher investment than a complex spot repair.
Save Your Deposit (Renters) or Your Aesthetic (Homeowners)
If you are a tenant, a chipped tub can cost you your security deposit. If you are a homeowner, it ruins the “spa vibe” of your bathroom.
Don’t settle for a lumpy, mismatched patch that will peel off in six months. A professional repair is nearly undetectable and very durable.
Get a seamless repair.
