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Refinishing or installing a tub liner comes down to your personal preference, budget, and timeline. It costs $480 to refinish a tub, and it takes about six hours. In comparison, installing a liner costs between $800 and $1,000 and takes about a day or less, including plumbing fixtures.

A bathtub liner is a one-piece insert that goes on top of your tub to conceal cracks, blemishes, and discoloration. Liners are made from acrylic or PVC plastic. It’s best to purchase a custom bathtub liner that matches your existing tub's size, shape, and contours, but premade liners are less expensive and also get the job done. Some bathtub liners come with a wall or shower surround to refurbish the area above the bathtub.

The process of reglazing or refinishing a standard-sized bathtub typically takes between two to five hours. The duration can be longer if the tub has significant cracks or gouges that need repair or if it is an oversized or specialty tub. After the refinishing work is complete, the surface needs to set and cure for another 24 to 48 hours before it can be used. Proper ventilation is important for safety during this time. Once fully cured, a reglazed tub can last for 10 years or more.

Ammonia is a powerful household cleaner, but don’t use it for your acrylic tub. Ammonia or cleaners containing this ingredient can break down the surface of the acrylic bathtub and leave it with permanent damage. Instead, try a gentler store-bought acrylic tub cleaner, or a homemade baking soda cleaner.