Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Refreshing Kit Review: There is something to be said about the gratification that comes along with DIY projects. A year ago my family moved into my grandparents home built in the early 60’s. We are slowly but surely working on remodeling each room. So far the bathroom remodel has been the most rewarding.
I will be working on a full remodel story but for now I want to show you my biggest money saving find. Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Refreshing Kit was so much more than I expected it to be. You know how much an new tub and shower inclosure can cost! We are all about giving the less expensive route a try first before we spend a bunch a money. You can get this product at Home Depot for $25.97.
Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile acts and looks like porcelain and ceramic. You can apply it to ceramic, porcelain or fiberglass. It’s so easy! You MUST wear a mask unless you want to act goofy for a couple hours. My friend Jenni and I had some great laughs while doing this project.
The tile looks brand new. I can’t tell you how much I loved doing this product. This is not a paid ad, we paid for it and would recommend it to all. It’s fast-drying, indoor durable and corrosion-resistant.
Included at the bottom of this is Rust-Oleum’s Youtube video on how to use this product. I should note we did everything they instructed us to do on the back of the box. There is some cleaning prep before you start, make sure you do that to get the best results. It is important to do 2 coats in order to get a beautiful new finish.
If you decided to give this product a try we would love you to post a before and after picture on our Facebook page.
Nicole Mulvehill
written on 14 October 2016 -I cannot wait to try this!!!!
Karen
written on 26 January 2018 -Can you also use this on the surround/surrounding shower walls? Thanks so much!
wevetriedit
written on 4 February 2018 -I would say yes!!
Kat
written on 31 January 2018 -How has this held up with regular use?
wevetriedit
written on 4 February 2018 -Great! There is a small amount of chipping, but it’s been almost 2 years so I say it has held up awesome!
Adrienne
written on 2 February 2018 -I have been very tempted to do this in my 1980’s bathroom. The tub is yellow and the tile is yellow speckled, not quite the look I want. My question is…has it held up? How long has it been since you did it? Has it peeled or flaked off? All the information I’ve seen has been from people who have just finished their project. If you get this message, please respond.
wevetriedit
written on 4 February 2018 -I did my tile in July 2016 – There is a small amount of chipping. I plan on doing another coat sometime in the near future. I would say for $25 it has held up amazing. My other option was buying a whole new tub and redoing the tile. I saved a fortune!! I love the product!
Gina
written on 5 February 2018 -Can this be used on ceramic floor tile or filtered marble?
Katie
written on 21 June 2018 -I used this product on my tub and had leftovers, so I decided to do my ugly brown fireplace surround and tiles right in front. It hasn’t had much traffic (other than some pups), but it has help up really well so far. I did it about a year ago and it still looks great.
Katie
written on 21 June 2018 -I used this product about a year ago on my tub and had leftovers. So, I used the rest on my ugly brown fireplace surround and ceramic tile on the floor right in front. It hasn’t had much human traffic – just dogs – but it has held up really well so far!
chris
written on 16 February 2018 -I used this product for the shower base. the prep is crucial, so expect to put the most effort into that. Once the two parts are combined the product is usable for about 1-2 hours, it’s starts to thicken and becomes more difficult to roll smoothly. So there may be waste if you don’t finish within the allotted time. It came out great and saved us ripping out the base, installing a new one, it’s now about eight months and looks just as good as the first day.
Mary
written on 17 February 2018 -Can I use this over a previously treated tub?
Carla
written on 17 February 2018 -Did you have sliding doors on your tub? If so, how were they removed and the holes filled in before refinishing the tub and tile?
Christin
written on 21 February 2018 -Hello! Could you tell where your shower curtain is from? Looks soo nice!
Casey
written on 21 December 2018 -Hi! I realize this is an extremely late response to your question – and you’ve probably found your shower curtain…ha ha but I found a curtain like the one pictured at Target. I used it in an apartment above my garage that I decorated and furnished. I rent to medical students who do a short rotation at a hospital nearby. I wanted a clean, neutral palette and this fit the bill! Good luck! 🙂
Emily
written on 18 March 2018 -We recently used this product on our ugly beige shower tile and acrylic insert. It looks amazing – like a brand new shower!! We had to use two boxes to cover the shower entirely – two coats is a MUST. And I agree that you need to follow all the prep work that is listed on the box.
Jan
written on 25 March 2018 -Should I do a new floor before or after painting. Thanks
Jan
written on 25 March 2018 -Forgot.. do I need to fix any caulking first.
Brenna
written on 9 April 2018 -We just moved into a 80’s style mobile home we are remodeling and there is a huge GREEN corner shower and bath in our bathroom. I want to do this to lighten and brighten it up. Problem is, it is our only shower….did you wait the 3 days before using????
Mike ferrell
written on 17 April 2018 -Yes, remove all caulking prior to using this stuff.
Dana
written on 12 July 2018 -Any suggestions on removing old paint on tiles before applying this?
Amy Storch Miller
written on 13 August 2018 -Will this work on “tumbled” tile? The tile that has a uneven texture.
Nicole
written on 4 September 2018 -I used this product about a year and a half ago on my tub and the initial outcome was great. I followed prep to a T, but sadly, after about a year it has begun to completely chip off. I would need to strip and do the whole process again and since it was such a task, I will not be doing again.
Erika
written on 17 December 2018 -I had a painted tub/tile surround/sink on move in, a year later it was scratched, accumulating bacteria and fungus in the scratches within hours of showering (so unless the tub was dried after shower with a towel it’s basically unpreventable) and became slippery and a serious safety hazard. The sink turned brown around the scratches and began chipping off all over. I scraped all the paint off with a razor blade, which took about two days, then vacuumed it up. Everyone in my house was really angry about me doing this until they saw how much better it was to use daily without the safety hazard of falling. Our tiles were also a nice fake marble white color, very modern looking but put in in the early 90s. Our tub is blue though unfortunately.
C. Frank
written on 26 December 2018 -Can you still dye the grout black after using this product? I don’t want the dye to dye the tile …
Sharon
written on 3 January 2019 -The video states the product is enough to do a standard tub with two coats. Does that include the tile on the walls too or only the bathtub?
Mark W.
written on 5 January 2019 -My tub and tile look exactly like the picture except I do not have a glass shower door.
How many kits do I need to do the tub and all the surrounding tile? My tile is currently the “Harvest Gold” of the 70’s. It is in very good condition though.
Thank you very much!
Nickson
written on 14 January 2019 -I absolutely do not recommend this . I am extremely crafty and a big do-it-yourself Artist And this project I did a few months back and it was beyond difficult. Granted there is no window in the bathroom I painted but the 1st coat I almost passed out and I wore a mask and had several fans trying to air out the severe overwhelming smell. The 2nd coat I had to wait about 2 days to apply and the smell lasted the 2 days in the house and just was barely starting to go away, I had to rotate with my husband Painting because you really do not even understand how about it smells. I wore like a haz mat suit basically and still felt sick when we were done. It did take 3 Coats to touch up all light spots in even a portion crackled I have no idea why because each coat was very thin and the tub was extremely clean as directed. I do look at the shower now and it does look amazing it’s white and beautiful and it used to be like a Brown beige but when I just think of how terrible of an experience I had with this I definitely do not recommend it.
Cassie
written on 11 March 2020 -I am glad someone said this! I did this whole process with a friend last night and while it looks great, I still feel sick today and I am honestly concerned about my wellbeing after inhaling this insanely smelly chemical product lol.
Jennifer
written on 21 January 2019 -Is this product to resurface the tub? My tile is ok
Brittany
written on 4 February 2019 -I’m also very curious as to how you removed the shower doors and could fill in the holes for this refinishing project? Thank you!
Dr Colgate
written on 16 September 2019 -If you are reinstalling the surround, simply place the screws back in the hole so as not to cover them over. Spray the screws with Pam and wipe off so they don’t stick, and remove them after painting each coat so as to not crack the paint.
If wanting to seal the holes perm, use PC-11 white waterproof epoxy. Fill in the hole, and wipe smooth with a wetted finger. Sandable as well if needed.
Pamela Martin
written on 12 February 2019 -Hi can 8t be used on fiberglass tubs?
Susan
written on 19 February 2019 -Can paint brush strokes be seen? I’m thinking of doing our shower insert – have people had much success with that?
Glen
written on 17 March 2019 -How did you remove the frame from around the tub?
cat
written on 26 March 2019 -Nobody is talking about the smell and dust. I read several times that it’s quite awful. Could you please share the cons of your experience. Thanks a lot.
Brooke
written on 27 March 2019 -We just bought a house with a textured tub 🤢. Do you think applying this product would make it smooth? I guess I can ask the folks at Lowe’s before we buy it… just looking for a quick fix.
Angie Mohon
written on 1 April 2019 -I have used this product and the prep is the most important. I have had mine for 3 years and it is just now needing to be resurfaced again. This is not a professional job but beats the ugly green tub I had. The contents will only do 1 tub not the tub and the surrounding tile. I had a little left over but not that much. I would recommend this to anyone needing a quick cheap fix.
jackie spencer
written on 2 April 2019 -Is one kit enough to do the tub and the tiles
Amanda
written on 2 April 2019 -We did this on our previous tub. Had help from someone who had done this to his tubs prior to selling his house. Worst mistake we ever made. The smell is horrendous and we vented the room and had fans to circulate the air out. Ended up sleeping in the lower level of our home because the upstairs was unbearable. Within months the shower/tub was chipping and looked terrible all over again. We recently gutted our entire bathroom and finally got rid of the awful tub. I’m not sure if ours was in such a state of disrepair that it caused such poor results but the process was enough to make it not worth doing at all no matter the results. If replacing the tub is an option do that and save yourself the headache.
Ariel
written on 3 April 2019 -We put this on the tub. Applied it exactly as the directions state. 1 month later, the paint is chipped and cracked. We don’t use it for anything but regular bathing. Also, in order to get my yellow tub to turn white, I have to use 4 cans. Closer to 9 coats. I do not recommend it. Spent $120 on shitty paint when I could’ve just put that toward a new tub.
Wanda
written on 21 May 2019 -I used this on my bathtub and surround..as well as the kitchen and bathroom sink ..I used a brush…it turned out ok.next time I’m going to spray it..it has held up pretty good for 2years.. the sink in the kitchen will need attention..we use it constantly…this was all done in a motorhome. Great product for the money!!
Renee
written on 12 June 2019 -Great job! I can try this too.
Vero
written on 14 December 2019 -I want to use the product on wall tiles but we also have the same exact towel bar and a few other fixtures as part of the tile and I am wondering how those were painted? I’m thinking it would be difficult to use a roller like as shown in the video. Can you brush it on in those cases?
Angela
written on 6 March 2020 -We bought our house a year and a half ago and although we have no idea what brand of paint was used on the tub, the paint started chipping about 9 months after moving in and we absolutely hate how it looks and do not look forward to scraping it off! And after reading these reviews, we will not be repainting – we will just replace it.
Erica
written on 13 April 2020 -I’m not sure you’re even still checking on here, but i stumbled across this on Pinterest and love your wall color! do you by any chance know what color you used? Your bathroom came out amazing!
Thanks so much
Jess
written on 11 May 2020 -Hi, Did this refinishing product last? Was there any bubbling/chipping/pealing?
Thanks!
Jess
Peggy Barton
written on 8 March 2021 -I am in Canada and the kit is different. We learned that the hard way from a complete failure our first try. We got 2 more kits. The tub looks better than it did but it did NOT dry flat, you can see every brush stroke. It’s a very creamy colour too, not white. Would not recommend.
Bathtub Refinishing
written on 24 August 2021 -Thanks for sharing such techniques for the removal of rust oleum.
Alicia Hursley
written on 21 December 2021 -This was super awesome! We have a pretty old bathroom in our home and I feel like this totally breathed some new life into it. Next step is to resurface the wood floor. Thanks for sharing.
Mike J
written on 12 October 2022 -The stuff worked great for me! DO YOUR PREP WORK! and…READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!