Cast iron and clawfoot tub refinishing in Austin, refinished where the tub sits
A cast iron tub sits behind the tile with the plumbing built around it, so replacing one usually means tearing out the tile walls too. When the enamel wears thin, rusts at the drain or turns yellow, we repair it and refinish it where it sits. It takes one visit, and the tub is back in use in 24 to 48 hours.
Cast iron tub refinishing, porcelain, pedestal, slipper and clawfoot
Porcelain over cast iron
The enamel wears thin on the floor and around the drain first, and rust comes through wherever there’s a chip. We repair the rust and chips, etch the enamel and refinish the whole tub in your color.
Porcelain over steel
Lighter than cast iron, with the same enamel surface. The same repairs and the same process apply.
Clawfoot and pedestal tubs
A freestanding tub can have the outside refinished too, in the same color as the inside or a different one.
Slipper and soaking tubs
Send us a photo of the look you want. One customer sent a picture of a gold slipper tub against marble, and hers came back gold outside and white inside. See it on the work page.
Why a cast iron tub is worth refinishing instead of hauling it out
The tub is built into the bathroom
The tub’s lip sits behind the tile, so replacing it usually means tearing out the tile walls and the plumbing connections, then rebuilding all of it. Refinishing leaves the tile and plumbing as they are.
- One visit, 3 to 5 hours for most tubs
- Back in use in 24 to 48 hours
You keep the tub you have
A cast iron tub that has lost its finish can still be a sound tub. Refinishing gives it a new surface in the color you choose, and costs a fraction of replacing it.
- Ten stocked colors included
- 5-year adhesion warranty
Wondering whether yours is a refinish or a replace? Here is how we tell the difference, and we’ll tell you the same from your photos.
Cast iron tub refinishing before and after, plus an alcove tub and a slipper
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfter
Rust, chips and worn enamel, repaired before the finish goes on
Strip
Any old coating comes off, down to the original enamel or to bare metal where the enamel is gone.
Repair
Rust around the drain and overflow is removed, and chips and worn spots are filled and sanded flush. More on repairs.
Mask, clean, etch
The room is masked and ventilated, the tub is cleaned of soap film and silicone, then etched so the new finish bonds. This step is most of the work.
Finish and cure
Several coats in the color you chose. Use the tub after 24 hours; 48 is better.
How long a refinished cast iron tub lasts, and the warranty behind it
Chip repair, jetted tubs and tile refinishing, related services
Chip and crack repair
Chips, cracks, rust around the drain and old fixture holes, filled and blended.
02Jetted tubs and jet removal
Jets removed, openings sealed, and the tub refinished as a soaker.
03Tile and surround refinishing
The tile around the tub refinished in the same visit, grout lines included.
04How pricing works
What moves the price of a refinish, and the warranty that comes with it.
Common questions about cast iron and clawfoot tub refinishing
Can a cast iron bathtub be refinished?
Yes. The porcelain enamel is cleaned, repaired and etched, then a new finish is bonded to it. Send photos and we’ll tell you what yours needs.
Can you refinish the outside of a clawfoot tub a different color?
Yes. Most tubs go white or off-white inside, and the outside can be any stocked or special order color.
Can you fix rust on a cast iron tub?
Yes. Rust around the drain, the overflow and chips is removed and the spot is repaired before the tub is refinished. Repairs carry a 1-year warranty.
Is it better to refinish or replace a cast iron tub?
If the tub is sound, refinishing costs a fraction of replacement and leaves the tile and plumbing alone. Replacement makes sense when the tub itself is failing or you’re redoing the whole bathroom. Refinish or replace? goes through both.
Does refinishing work on an antique tub?
Yes. What matters is the condition of the tub. Send photos of the inside, the outside and any damage, and we’ll tell you what it needs.
What does it cost?
It depends on the size of the tub, whether the outside is included and the repairs it needs. How pricing works, or text photos to (512) 452-4352 for a price.
More answers on the bathtub refinishing questions page.
Cast iron and clawfoot tub reviews, from customers on Google
“My 37 year old porcelain tub looks better than it did when it was new. It’s beautiful!”nancy E. · April 2025 · Google review
“Resurfaced a claw foot tub for me. Excellent service. They showed up when they said they would. They even called me before they got here. Customer service is not dead here!”Paul W. · March 2022 · Google review
“We have a 1970’s porcelain coated cast iron tub that was baby pink. The couple that came to make a beautiful shiny white, did a fantastic job and were very professional. Thanks. I will call them for the next tub refinish from yellow to white.”Allison L. · February 2020 · Google review
Free cast iron tub refinishing quote. Text us photos to start.
Send a photo of the whole tub and one of any rust or chips. For a clawfoot or pedestal tub, add one of the outside. We’ll reply with a price, usually the same day, or come take a look if you’d rather.
Faster: text us photos for a quote(512) 452-4352