FAQ

Are you a member of the BBB of Hawaii. Are you insured. Are you properly licensed.
Yes, to all counts.

Price right?

Be concerned, if our competition charges more, it is probably that their overhead is more, not that their product is better.
Be concerned if our competition charges less. Numerous reasons prevail. We try to give a fair price. We try to stay in step with the market value or even on the low side of fair.
$But know, that if you get a quote and they are a reputable company, BSR of Hawaii will match or beat their written quote to you for the same job.

What is Reglazing. Is it the same as refinishing?

Reglazing is a term most often used by refinishers in the porcelain and tile refinishing industry to describe the new surface applied to an old bathtub or shower fixture upon completion of the refinishing process. It is often interchanged with the words refinish, refinished or refinishing.

Is the refinishing or Reglazing process and product the same as the original finish?

No. The original porcelain or ceramic tile surface is baked at temperatures up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why the surfaces are so hard and scrub resistant. It's impossible to heat any new coatings at those temperatures without disintegrating the surrounding home. However, the ever evolving chemical industry is continuously discovering new formulas that provide new coatings that are "porcelain and ceramic like" - Glas-Tech 9000 is the one coating that closest emulates the original surface. While not yet as hard as a factory baked porcelain or ceramic finish, it is the finish that can take the abuse and through normal use give your old bath or shower many added years of good and beautiful use.

How long does it take to refinish a bathtub?

Depending on the condition of the tub, anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. That's one of the great benefits of refinishing/reglazing instead of replacing. The works all done in less than a day, at a fraction of the cost and none of the mess. The glaze is applied, we go away, 24 hours later you jump in and enjoy your new tub, or if you've chosen our Lightening Glaze UV you can use it the day its completed right after we leave your home.

When can we use the tub after it has been refinished?

You can use it the next day through use of our Glas-Tech 9000, 24 hour coating formula or, you can use it immediately after we leave on the same day if we use the Lightening Glaze UV system.

I notice there are various companies who provide tub and shower refinishing. Are they all the same?

The basic steps in refinishing an old bath or shower should be similar.

But, none of the companies are exactly the same as another. Some may use similar products, but their preparation techniques may vary. And, actually, most use different products.. These products include various items to clean, repair, and to prepare the old fixtures for reglazing/refinishing. And, ultimately the coatings each individual company uses are different, they vary.

You should shop and compare and then chose the ones you feel most comfortable with to do your work for you.

I never knew this could be done before. What questions should I ask when shopping for a bathtub/shower refinishing company?

How long have you been in business?

-Will he be there should you have need for warranty work. We've been here for our customers since 1979.

Do you have a contractor's license?

-Bathtub and Shower refinishing is currently classified as a Service and all individual projects are under $1,000.00 to complete, no Contractors License is required.But you should make sure the company you're dealing with is a responsible company. We've been refinishing tubs here in Hawaii since 1979, that speaks for itself.

How long is your warranty for and what does it cover?

- Our warranty is for 5 years, pro-rated regardless of which system you choose. It covers anything due to product failure or faulty application by our technicians.

Some companies use car paint. Does yours?

- You want a product that is made for the job. Our products "Glass-Tech 9000", Lightening Glaze UV and our Multi-Stone system were formulated in the chemical laboratories for the purpose of bathtub refinishing. They can not be obtained through any regular hardware or painting stores.

Is your top coat an epoxy coating?

- Epoxies are great adhesive products, but as a top coat new chemicals and refinishing products, especially Glass-Tech 9000 out perform them.

What do I need to do in preparation, before you come out to refinish my bath?

- Keeping the job simple and as trouble free for our customers is a main goal with BSR. All we ask is that if you have any plumbing leaks, they should be repaired before we come out and then all loose items and items that you may need for the day be removed from the Bathroom. You can go back in and use the commode, the sink and other bathrooms items about an hour after we leave -- just don't touch the tub until the next afternoon.

Do you have small children or pets?

- You might want to consider having them use soft toys rather than hard wood, metal or hard plastic. These and pet claws are prime contributors to damage in all tubs not only refinished ones.

Do you have a non slippery surface or mat that can be applied to the surface of the refinished tub?

- Suction cup bathmats are a no no when it comes to refinished bathtubs. The constant snapping up when removing the mats can cause the material to separate from the original tub. Warranties do no cover this type of damage.
- We do offer at no charge a non-skid surface application direct in the tub during the reglazing process if this is a concern, especially if you have little ones, handicapped or elderly folks. If a mat is really what you want, then we recommend using the stick on appliques that you can get at pharmacies or safety system outlets. -- you know those rectangular sticky strips or flower looking non-slip things. Just past them down and then leave them there. But, really, the non-skid application we provide for free is the better of the options for a non-skid surface.

What are the pros and cons of having a non-slip surface added to my bath?

- We would never recommend non having a non-slip surface added to your tub as it is a definite safety feature. They do prevent water from running off and so minerals tend to accumulate in a non-slip surface more than a smooth surface so cleaning may be a little more intense in a tub with a non-slip bottom than one without.

I have a leaking faucet. Should I get it repaired before you refinish the tub?

- Yes. We can refinish a tub with a leak, but you risk damaging the new surface later on when having the leak repaired after the tub has been reglazed.

I am completely refinishing my bathroom. At what point would the refinishing of the tub take place?

- The best time for the best results is to have the tub reglazed last. It is more work for us in protecting your home, but a clean home makes for a cleaner refinishing environment.

I understand there is a strong odor when the bath is refinished. How long will it last?

There is a strong odor during the last half hour to hour of work when the new Glas-Tech 9000 glaze is being applied. It is extremely strong during the first 10 minutes and rapidly minimizes. Some folks are sensitive to paint smells and should be aware of it so they can go outside or be in a well ventilated area during that time. The smell is uncomfortable to most only if they are right in the bathroom itself during the application. A very still and windless day causes the odor to linger longer. People with health considerations would want to be away from the area until the odor is gone.
There is a mild odor during the application of the Lightening Glaze UV coating that none object to and it is a safe odor.

Is the odor toxic?

The only refinishing product that is toxic free and 100% safe is our Lightening Glaze UV Coating as it is not a solvent based coating.
Some companies will lead you to believe there product is safe and non toxic. If there coating is a solvent based coating, then that is just not true. The only good durable coating that is non-toxic and 100% safe is the UV coatings. With solvent based coatings and its true of even our Glas-Tech 9000, after the mist is out of the air and the surface is dry the solvent based products are no longer toxic. They are then safe , even though a slight odor may still linger

With solvent based coatings, the resin product by itself may not be toxic but, when combined with reducers and catalysts it is. Anyone who tells you different is not taking into account the toxicity of the reducers and catalysts that have to be applied to the resin during the "activation" stage and spraying stage of the product onto the old tub. There are no catalysts or reducers used in the Lightening Glaze UV coatings.

Normally there is nothing to be concerned with with regard to solvent based products if you're aware of it and proper precautions are taken, but you should be made aware of it. Doctors have told us that if our clients remain in a well ventilated room away from the area of the refinishing there should be no concerns, but if you have health related respiratory or heart conditions we'd suggest taking a walk during the application of the glaze, which is normally the last hour of the job.
Our Lightening Glaze UV is 100% totally green, totally safe, even with the slight odor that it has.
Glas-Tech 9000 is actually a much safer surface than some original porcelain tubs that contain lead.Glas-Tech 9000 is frequently used to make older tubs with lead in them "lead safe".

Are there any hidden costs that I should be aware of?

Some additional costs that may be neglected to be mentioned are: Removing shower doors.
Reinstalling shower doors.
Removing old paint from surface of a previously refinished or painted tub.
State Excise Tax is included in all prices we quote and is not an expected added on cost when the invoice is submitted. Other companies prices usually do not include taxes which they will add on to your cost.

You should ask if there are any costs the could be added to the price your being quoted.