The Ultimate Guide to Bathtub Refinishing in the Tri-Cities

If you live in the Tri-Cities, you likely have a specific “problem area” in your bathroom. Maybe it’s a cast-iron tub in an older Richland “Alphabet House” that has lost its shine. Maybe it’s a fiberglass shower in a Kennewick rambler that developed a stress crack. Or perhaps you’re just tired of looking at an avocado-green tub from the 1970s.

When the bathtub looks bad, the whole bathroom feels dirty, no matter how much you scrub.

Most homeowners think they only have two options: live with the ugly tub or spend thousands of dollars on a full remodel. But there is a third option that is faster, cleaner, and much more affordable.

Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Bathtub Refinishing in the Tri-Cities. Here is everything you need to know about restoring your bathroom without the demolition mess.

Refinishing vs. Replacement: The Cost Breakdown

This is the number one question we get at Duraglaze: “Is refinishing really worth it compared to just buying a new tub?”

If you walk into a big box store in Kennewick, you might see a basic bathtub for $300 or $400. It seems cheap. But the price tag on the tub is not the price of the project.

Here is the reality of replacing a bathtub:

1. Demolition: You have to rip out the old tub, which often requires cutting it into pieces.

2. Plumbing: The drain and overflow usually need to be moved or replaced by a licensed plumber.

3. Surrounds: You usually damage the tile or fiberglass surround when removing the tub, meaning that has to be replaced too.

4. Flooring & Drywall: The footprint of the new tub rarely matches the old one perfectly, leading to floor and wall repairs.

The “Vs.” Comparison:

The Verdict: Unless you are completely gutting your bathroom and moving walls, refinishing is the smarter financial choice. It allows you to keep the quality of your original tub (especially if it’s cast iron or heavy steel) while making it look brand new.

What Can Actually Be Refinished?

Many homeowners in Pasco and Walla Walla assume that refinishing only works on old porcelain tubs. However, our high-performance coatings bond to almost any bathroom surface.

We regularly restore:

• Fiberglass Showers & Tub Inserts: Common in newer homes, these often yellow or crack over time. We can repair the cracks and make the unit bright white again (or any other color of your choosing).

• Cast Iron & Steel Tubs: These retain heat beautifully but often become rough and porous. Refinishing restores that smooth, glossy feel.

• Tile Surrounds & Countertops: Yes, we can reglaze the tile walls around your tub to match, sealing the grout lines permanently so they never get moldy again.

Addressing Tri-Cities Specific Issues: Hard Water & Cracks

Living in Eastern Washington comes with specific challenges for bathroom fixtures.

1. The Hard Water Problem
Water in the Tri-Cities is mineral-rich. Over time, calcium and lime build up on porous older tubs, creating rough patches that are impossible to clean. If you scrub these patches with abrasive cleaners (like Comet or steel wool), you actually sand off the protective finish, making the problem worse.

• The Fix: Our refinishing process creates a non-porous, high-gloss barrier. Hard water deposits sit on top of the finish rather than soaking into it, making them easy to wipe away. We’ll also provide tips on maintaining your new surface so it will last. 

2. Fiberglass Stress Cracks
We see many fiberglass tub/shower units in the area that develop cracks on the floor. This isn’t just cosmetic—it leads to water leaking into the subfloor, causing rot and mold.

• The Fix: We don’t just paint over cracks. We perform permanent fiberglass repairs using new fiberglass, as well as using a specialized inlay system to structurally reinforce the floor of the tub. It ends up stronger than it was when it was new.

How Long Does It Last?

This is the second most common question we hear.

If you have ever tried a DIY “bathtub paint” kit from a hardware store, you probably watched it peel off within six months. Those kits are just paint.

Professional refinishing is chemistry.

At Duraglaze USA, we use an aerospace-grade coating system. We extensively clean, sand and etch the original surface to create a mechanical bond, then apply a primer and topcoat that fuses to the tub.

With proper care (no abrasive scrubbing!), a refinished bathtub from Duraglaze can last 10 to 15 years or more. 

Ready to Transform Your Bathroom?

You don’t need a demolition crew to get a bathroom that looks brand new. Whether you are in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, or surrounding areas, we can restore your fixtures in a single day.

Don’t replace it—Duraglaze it!

Contact Duraglaze USA today for a Free Quote or Call Us to discuss your project.