Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Reglazing? Q. What is "reglazing"? A. The word reglazing is a coined word when used in the refinishing industry. It is a special kind of surface repair and refinishing process designed for bathtubs and other porcelain fixtures. Because of the low cost and effectiveness of the process it is often used on laminate counters, wall tile and fiberglass as well. The process is done in-place without heat. The material used produces a very hard simulated porcelain that looks and feels like a brand new porcelain finish when professionally completed. When applied to counters it is usually colored and often slightly textured which gives it a slick new look for counter tops. See also our What is Reglazing article. Q. What is your reglazing process? A. See our regalzing process page for a complete answer to this question. But here is the short version: First the surface is thoroughly cleaned with industrial cleaners to remove any soap scum, mineral buildup etc. Then, any chips, holes, cracks and damaged areas are repaired and filled with special fillers to make the surface smooth and even. The entire surface is sanded and then etched and primed with a two part bonding agent to ensure an excellent bond with the finish. Once fully prepared the surface is sprayed with a high-tech acrylic coating that hardens to form a new shiny surface that looks and feels like the original porcelain. A. Yes and no. Our technicians must take care in the handling of solvents and acids, including using high speed ventilation, protective clothing and respirators. We require anyone in the area to leave while we spray in order to avoid contact with the fumes from the process. Some sensitive persons experience symptoms such as dizziness or headaches if exposed too closely to the fumes for a while. So we require there to be no one in the area while we spray and for four hours afterward. A simple guide is if there is a noticeable odor, keep away. Children, pets and elderly persons should definitely be kept out of the area until the fumes have fully cleared. The process is perfectly safe proper precaution. A note on the smell of the fumes: Some refinishers use scents in order to reduce objections about the solvent smells, but we do not use scents as this can fool people into breathing fumes they are better off avoiding. Q. How do I take care of the new surface? A. See our Care and Maintenance page for a complete guide. But here are the basics: Abrasive cleaners should be avoided in order to ensure the new reglazed surface keeps its appealing fresh new shine. Abrasive cleaners will dull the surface over a period of time. In fact the same is true of a regular porcelain finish. Reglazed surfaces are easy to keep fresh and clean. They do not require harsh chemicals or rough scrubbing. Cleaning the surface with a gentle cleaner such as the scrubbing bubble cleaners is all it takes to keep the surface clean and looking new. Constant dripping or constant wetness can cause a problem over a long period of time. For this reason we recommend against the use of rubberized mats. The surface is not as slippery as a porcelain finish so mats are not really necessary. Q. How soon before the surface can be used? A. Generally the surface is ready for use in 48 hours. Nothing should be put on the new surface for this period. Water drops will damage the new surface before it has cured so any use at all should be avoided for a 48 hour period. If you need to use the fixture sooner than this, tell the sales person or technician you need a fast cure time. An additive can be mixed with the coating that significantly shortens the cure time so that the fixture can be used within hours. There may be an extra charge for this service. A. Our refinishing services are covered by a 5 year service warranty. We have been in business since 1991 and have an excellent reputation for service and always honor our warranty. It is company policy to ensure there is no bad work any where associated with our name. Be wary of individuals and companies who offer a warranty but fail to back it up by never returning your calls, who aren't organized enough to honor it, or who won't be around in a couple of years when you need them. We have to re-do work done by other companies that were supposedly covered by a warranty that wsa not honored. See our warranty page for more details or review the full warranty statement on the reverse side of our service agreement before work is started. A. Porcelain bathtubs and sinks, fiberglass bathtubs and showers, laminate counters, wall tile, tile counters and showers, cultured marble counters, and old appliances are all commonly refinished. We have samples in our show room plus many before and after shots. Some of those before and after photos are available on this web site. Q. Why would I reglaze rather than replace old counters and fixtures? A. The first reason is to save both time and money! You can save 80-85% over the cost of replacing an item. For example, a bathtub can easily cost upward of $1,500.00 to replace by the time you tear out the old tub, dispose of it, buy a new tub and have it installed, have a plumber refit the drain and faucet, then have painters and tile setter fix any damage to walls and tile surrounding the tub. It is also very common in older buildings that to remove an old tub the doorway has to be widened or the the tub has to be cut in two. These things add a lot of time and money to the project. If you are doing a full remodel that may be a time to think about replacing old fixtures. But even then, some old fixtures should be kept and refinished because of their desirability as authentic items original to the home. An extremely rusted, pressed steel bathtub should generally be replaced once the rust has set in. A second reason to repair and refinish instead of replacing, is that it is the right thing to do for the environment. Recycling old fixtures helps the earth by saving earths resources and reducing the burden on land fills. Q. Can I choose a different color? A. Yes. We can match any color you choose. Our standard colors are white and almond. These are the most common colors for porcelain finishes. Other colors can be reproduced for an additional charge. See our Customer Colors page for more details. Q. Can you fix just a chip in the surface? A. Yes. We can repair chips, stains, burn marks, knife marks, holes, gouge scratches and other damage. There may be a slight halo visible around the repair but often the repair is practically undetectable. So if the rest of the surface is in very good condition ask us about a spot repair. Q. Can you fix fiberglass cracks? A. This is one of our most popular service requests. Fiberglass bathtubs and showers commonly crack over a period of time particularly when not well supported. Plumbers sometimes have to cut holes in the fiberglass wall to access pipes. Many owners think they have to replace the entire unit but we can repair it on site at a much lower cost. When the underlying cause of a crack is insufficient support below the floor of the tub or shower unit, we repair this error by rebuilding the floor and filling the space below the unit with a hardening foam, then patch the crack and refinish it to look like new. Q. Do you have a showroom where I can see samples? A. Yes, we have an office and showroom in Burbank. Call us or come by any time during business hours. See our Company page for our address and a map or our office location. Q. Why should I choose Pacific Reglazing over someone else? A. There are a lot of reasons to choose Pacific Reglazing! We have been in business since 1991, and are fully licensed and insured. Our prices are very competitive. You can pay up to twice our price or more at certain companies. Even the illegal unlicensed operators out there using cheap materials and avoiding their responsibilities can't do much better than us on price. And unlike many competitors, our office is staffed with full time employees, not a voicemail system, so we're always here to help you. We are one of the original refinishing companies operating in the Los Angeles area not one of the many copy cat companies that have sprung up over the years started by unethical ex-employees who were trained and then fired from legitimate companies like ours for doing poor work or being unreliable etc. Go with an established proven company you can trust. For a list of other good reasons to use us over our competition, see our Why Pacific Reglazing page. If you have any questions, would like an estimate or to place your order, give us a call.
Remember our toll free number
(800)55-PACIFIC Our knowledgeable and friendly office staff are ready and happy to assist you. CONTACT US ONLINE: You can also request an estimate or ask a question online. ORDER ONLINE: Experienced customers can immediately place an order online at any time of day or night, and we'll simply call you or your tenant later on to confirm scheduling. |
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