DreamMaker Bathrooms        
 Bath Repairs  - 10 steps away from a perfect finish
  

Our Coating & its qualities

DreamMaker uses a proprietary aliphatic acrylic polyurethane coating that provides amazing resilience to cracking during expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuations. Unlike epoxy coatings, our coating will not crack or yellow over time, it also provides a surface that is harder than acrylic or enamel, yet flexible enough to withstand the impact of dropped objects. This resilience is essential to its durability and long wearing. It also provides terrific stain resistance and colour retention, as compared to other types of bath coatings.

Each 1.89 litre bottle of coating weighs and amazing 1.5 lbs more than most other coatings on the market, this is due to the high solids content of the coating – an incredible 69% solid by weight. The higher solids content of the coating gives the coating greater ability to cover the old surface with less coating than with other brands.

The coatings high Titanium Dioxide content provides whiteness, brightness and opacity and does not contain any cheap filler. Our customers are thrilled with the super shiny 95+% gloss.
This coating is the coating of choice for baths, sinks, basins, tile, vanities, appliances, countertops, and cabinets...the list is endless!

Terminology

You may have encountered several different terms referring to the process of bath and bathroom resurfacing. To avoid confusion, please note that all the different words used to refer to resurfacing amount to the same thing:

Resurfacing = Refinishing = Reglazing = Reenamelling

The differences that do exist lie with the methods and materials used in surface preparation, priming and top coating, but these differences are not endorsed to any particular term above.

The terms 're-enamelling', 'synthetic porcelain' and 'thermal fusion' can be misleading as they infer that a process involving kiln temperatures is employed in the bathroom, which simply isn't the case. Using such terms may also suggest that the refinished surface is the same as original porcelain or vitreous enamel, which it isn't.

Thinking about refinishing yourself? 

We strongly suggest you don't!!  Bath refinishing or resurfacing is not a do-it-yourself project; it involves the use of strong chemicals and materials that are beyond the skill and ability for most homeowners and untrained users. All our technicians have to be trained and as a company licensed to use and carry these products. DIY kits are limited in their strength, durability and way they are applied and usually fail within a month or two.  They typically consist of an epoxy coating, which takes up to 5 days to dry and yellows significantly over time.  Most kits are rolled or brushed on the fixture, giving an unsightly looking amateur finish.  Some kits are sprayed on with an aerosol can, causing uneven coverage, over spray and drips. The mirror-like finish you really want cannot be achieved without proper training and experience and professional spray equipment.  Most often DIY refinishing jobs end up being redone by a professional with the additional cost of stripping the peeling finish.  If these kits actually worked, there’d be no need for professional refinishers like us. 

Resurfacing is a multi-step procedure

DreamMaker Bathrooms technicians follow detailed, step-by-step procedures to ensure a professional finish and long term durability.

There are differences when resurfacing different surface materials and different items, but the basic steps are the same. The following example illustrates the main steps in the resurfacing of a built-in cast iron bath:
 

STEP 1 – Before
 

Cast-iron and steel baths with porcelain surfaces and vitreous enamel surfaces can become thin and porous over time, absorbing soap, body oils and cleaners. This leads to pin holes, rust, chips and exposed metal areas. Moulded acrylic fibreglass baths on the other hand can crack when the acrylic skin has worn very thin. Everyday wear and tear can chip and scratch any surface, including baths, basins, toilets and cabinets.

STEP 2 - Trim sealant

Existing sealant is removed to allow resurfacing to extend under the tiles.

STEP 3 - Clean the surface

The surface is thoroughly cleaned, removing grease, soap residues and other contaminants from the surface.

STEP 4 - Surface Etching



DreamMaker Bathrooms uses a controlled surface etch which creates a stable, uncontaminated micro porosity, perfect for establishing a very strong bond with the bonding agent system that follows.

STEP 5 - Chip Repair
   

Chips and cracks are repaired with either a blended epoxy resin requiring heat cure or a fast cure, polyester filler. The epoxy system is designed for use on mineral surfaces such as porcelain and vitreous enamel, and the polyester system is use on synthetic materials such as Acrylic.

STEP 6 - Masking
 

The entire area is prepared for treatment. Professional masking ensures that the coating is only applied to the surfaces that are being resurfaced, with all other areas protected from overspray.

STEP 7 - Spraying Bonding Agent
 

A non-hygroscopic bonding agent primer provides the bond between surface and top coating. An evacuation unit is used to remove any solvent smells during the spray application procedures. The Classic Surface resurfacing system derives its superior adhesion from chemical bond.

STEP 8 - Preparing to Spray

The Classic Surface coating is activated and allowed to catalyze for at least 30 minutes prior to spraying.

STEP 9 - Spraying the Coating

Three coats of the Classic Surface coating are then spray applied,
with a wet film  thickness of approx. 75 microns per coat. The precautions
 taken and the equipment used both help to ensure a very smooth finish
 with a uniform dry film thickness sufficient for prolonged scrub life.

STEP 10 - After Resurfacing

After drying and curing, your bathroom will have a whole new look. The chips, scratches and rust have gone and instead you have a tough, shining surface that cleans easily and will last for many years*, all at a fraction of the cost of total replacement.

* Expected life span of the surface is determined by usage and cleaning. Abrasive cleaning, chemical attack and chipping/ gouging of the surface will shorten the life.