Which Bathworks Kit Is Right for Your Project?

With over a dozen kits, bundles, and specialty products in the lineup, choosing which Bathworks kit can feel overwhelming — especially if this is your first refinishing project. The good news: once you know what you're refinishing and what it's made of, the choice narrows down fast.

This guide walks you through exactly which Bathworks kit to use for your project, what surface prep you'll need, and which add-ons are worth considering. No guesswork — just the same recommendations our refinishing team gives customers every day.

Which Bathworks Kit is Right for Your Project?

Start Here: What Are You Refinishing?

Every project starts with two questions: what fixture are you working on, and what material is it made of? The fixture determines the kit size and format. The material determines the prep.

Jump to your project:

• Bathtub
• Shower or Tub/Shower Combo
• Sink
• Tile (Wall or Floor)
• Countertop
• Cabinets and Furniture

Bathtub Refinishing

The most common Bathworks project. One kit covers a standard bathtub with two full coats — approximately 60 square feet of surface area.

Which Kit?

For most bathtub projects: the Roll-On Refinishing Kit ($79.95) is the go-to. It includes everything you need — coating, primer, TSP cleanser, sandpaper, foam roller, foam brush, mixing container, paint tray, gloves, and stir stick. The coating is a commercial-grade two-part resin that mixes at a 4:1 ratio (Part A to Part B), with a working time of approximately 2–3 hours at 70°F and a 24-hour dry time.

Want non-slip protection on the tub floor? Choose the Roll-On Refinishing Kit with Non-Slip ($89.00). Same kit, plus Non-Slip Additive that mixes directly into the coating for subtle traction on the floor area.

Need it done faster? The Roll-On "Quick-Dry" Refinishing Kit ($89.95) cuts dry time from 24 hours to 12 hours. Also available with Non-Slip ($99.00).

On a tighter budget? The Roll-On Essentials Refinishing Kit ($69.95) includes the same coating, primer, and instructions but requires you to supply your own roller, brush, paint tray, sandpaper, and cleanser. Also available in a Quick-Dry version ($79.00).

Limited ventilation? The Bathworks ECO Essentials Kit ($89.95) is a low-VOC, low-odor formula designed for apartments, interior bathrooms without windows, or spaces where fume exposure is a concern. It uses a different chemistry (high-solids epoxy rather than urethane), mixes at a 3:1 ratio, and has a shorter pot life of about 1 hour. The ECO kit includes two sets of Part A and Part B — the second coat is applied 4–6 hours after the first, not immediately. Coverage is approximately 120 square feet per kit.

Prefer to spray? The Spray-On Aerosol Refinishing Kit ($79.00) uses pre-mixed aerosol cans with a comfort hand grip — no mixing required. Great for quick projects, but requires thorough masking of all surrounding surfaces. Overspray is real. Also available as a 4-Can Pack ($149.95) for larger projects, or the Spray Essentials Kit ($79.95).

How Many Kits Do I Need?

Surface Prep by Material

The coating itself is the same across all Bathworks refinishing kits (except ECO). What changes is the prep:

• Porcelain on cast iron or steel: Clean thoroughly, sand with 120-grit, and use Bathworks EZ-Etch to etch the surface before priming. EZ-Etch is strongly recommended for these hard, glossy surfaces — standard sanding alone may not create enough profile for a lasting bond.
• Fiberglass or acrylic: Clean, sand with 120-grit, prime. Do NOT use EZ-Etch on fiberglass or acrylic — it's not needed and not recommended for these materials.
• Ceramic: Clean, sand, and use EZ-Etch. Ceramic surfaces are too smooth for sanding alone.
• Cultured marble: Clean, sand with 120-grit, prime. No EZ-Etch needed.

Important: Any soap residue on the surface will prevent bonding and cause the finish to fail. Any moisture at the drain or on surfaces during application will also cause failure. These are the two most common reasons DIY refinishing projects go wrong — not the coating.

Shower and Tub/Shower Combo Refinishing

If you're refinishing a shower stall or a tub/shower combo (tub plus surrounding tile walls), the process is the same as bathtub refinishing — you just need more material.

Which Kit?

Shower stalls: The Shower Stall Pack with Non-Slip ($134.99) is purpose-built for this. Covers the full shower enclosure including floor. Also available as a Quick-Dry version ($154.99).

Tub/shower combos: Use a standard Roll-On Refinishing Kit for the tub, plus an additional kit for the surround walls. See the coverage table above — a standard tub with a 6-foot tile surround typically requires 2 kits.

Non-slip is especially important on shower floors. Standing water, soap, and bare feet make slip resistance a safety consideration. Every shower project should include non-slip protection, either through a kit that includes Non-Slip Additive or by purchasing the Non-Slip Tub & Shower Floor Kit ($48.99) separately.

Sink Refinishing

Bathworks makes a kit specifically sized and tooled for sinks.

Which Kit?

The Roll-On Refinishing Kit for Sinks ($59.00) includes a smaller volume of coating (8 oz. Part A, 2 oz. Part B) along with a 2" roller, 1" foam brush, mini paint tray, and — notably — a 4 oz. bottle of EZ-Etch included in the box. One kit covers two standard sink basins.

The Sink Kit uses the same 4:1 mix ratio and urethane coating as the full-size refinishing kits. The prep process is slightly streamlined (8 steps instead of 10), and EZ-Etch is applied directly rather than TSP.

Surface Prep

Since the Sink Kit already includes EZ-Etch, the prep is straightforward: pour the EZ-Etch into the sink, spread with the included scrubbing pad, let it rest for 20 minutes, rinse thoroughly, sand with 120-grit while still damp, rinse again, dry completely, then prime and coat.

Never use EZ-Etch on acrylic or fiberglass sinks. If your sink is acrylic or fiberglass, skip the EZ-Etch step and use the standard clean-sand-prime process. The Sink Kit's included EZ-Etch is designed for porcelain, ceramic, cast iron, and steel.

Tile Refinishing

Bathworks works on ceramic tile, porcelain tile, and other hard-surface tile on walls and floors. This includes bathroom tile surrounds, shower walls, kitchen backsplashes, and tile countertops.

Which Kit?

Use the same Roll-On Refinishing Kits as bathtub projects. There is no separate "tile kit" — the coating works the same way on tile as it does on a tub. The difference is coverage: tile surrounds require more material.

For tile-only projects (no tub), estimate coverage at approximately 60 square feet per kit with two coats. Measure your tile area and plan accordingly.

Surface Prep

EZ-Etch is strongly recommended for tile. Ceramic and porcelain tile surfaces are glazed, smooth, and glossy — sanding alone won't create the surface profile needed for long-term adhesion. Apply EZ-Etch, let it sit for approximately 15 minutes (longer for colored surfaces), scrub, rinse, sand, and dry before priming.

The EZ-Etch Surface Prep Kit comes in two sizes: a one-tub size ($24.99) and a two-tub/floor size ($34.99). For large tile areas, go with the larger size.

Countertop Refinishing

Bathworks can be used on countertop surfaces including Formica (laminate), cultured marble, ceramic tile countertops, and other hard surfaces.

Which Bathworks Kit?

Use the standard Roll-On Refinishing Kit or Roll-On Essentials Kit. For small countertop sections, a single kit will provide plenty of coverage. For large countertop runs (kitchen counters, multiple vanity tops), you may need a second kit.

Surface Prep

• Formica / laminate: Clean, sand with 120-grit, prime. No EZ-Etch needed.
• Ceramic tile countertops: Clean, sand, use EZ-Etch, prime. Same as tile wall prep.
• Cultured marble: Clean, sand with 120-grit, prime. No EZ-Etch needed.

Cabinet and Furniture Refinishing

Cabinet and furniture projects use a completely different product from the refinishing kits.

Which Product?

Bathworks Cabinet & Furniture Paint is a single-component water-based acrylic coating — no two-part mixing required. It applies with a brush, roller, or spray, and cleans up with warm soapy water.

Available in Quart ($39.99) and Gallon ($99.99) sizes across 10 colors: Brilliant White, Laced Linen, Featherstone, Urban Marble, Snowbound Slate, Vintage Herb, Heirloom Olive, Heritage Navy, Mocha Reserve, and Blackstone.

Coverage

One gallon covers approximately 400 square feet. For a typical kitchen cabinet set, one gallon is usually sufficient for two coats on all doors and frames.

Dry Times

• To touch: 15–20 minutes
• To handle: 1 hour
• Ready to recoat: 2 hours
• Allow 24 hours before normal use
• Full cure: 14 days

Compatible Surfaces

Cabinet Paint works on a wide range of substrates: aluminum, ceramic tile, concrete, ferrous metal, fiberglass, galvanized steel, drywall, primed wood, laminate, plaster, vinyl, and architectural plastics. It's a low-VOC formula (less than 50 g/L), making it suitable for interior projects without heavy ventilation requirements.

Storage note: Protect from freezing. Do not store below 41°F (5°C).

Add-Ons and Accessories Worth Knowing About

EZ-Etch Surface Prep Kit

If your surface is porcelain, ceramic, cast iron, or steel — you need this. Available in one-tub ($24.99) and two-tub/floor ($34.99) sizes. Not needed for fiberglass, acrylic, or plastic surfaces. Also not needed for Formica, cultured marble, or laminate.

The EZ-Etch included in the Sink Kit is a different formulation from the TSP etching cleaner (powder cleanser) that comes with the standard Roll-On Refinishing Kit. EZ-Etch is a chemical etch designed specifically for hard, glazed surfaces. TSP is a general-purpose degreaser and cleaner.

Chip Repair Kit

Have chips, cracks, or surface damage? Fix them before refinishing. The Chip Repair Kit ($39.00; $44.00 in Black) is formulated to bond with the Bathworks coating system. Apply EZ-Etch first, then make repairs, then proceed with the refinishing kit.

Non-Slip Additive

If your kit doesn't include Non-Slip Additive and you want traction on a tub or shower floor, it's available separately as the Non-Slip Tub & Shower Floor Kit ($48.99). There's also an ECO Non-Slip Floor Coating Kit ($29.95) and SecureGRIP options (from $34.00) for different applications.

Important: Avoid suction-cup bath mats on any refinished surface. They trap moisture and can lift the coating over time. Use a non-suctioned bath mat instead.

3M Vapor Respirator

All Bathworks refinishing kits (except ECO) contain solvents that require a NIOSH-approved vapor respirator during application. If you don't already own one, it's available in the Bathworks store ($49.95) or bundled with a refinishing kit in the Ultimate Roll-On Bathtub Bundle (from $169.99).

Caulk & Gun In One

If you remove caulk during prep (recommended for a clean edge), you'll need to reapply 100% silicone caulk after the project cures. The Bathworks Pro Caulk & Gun In One ($24.95) is a single-tube caulk with built-in applicator — no separate caulk gun needed.

Quick Reference: Which Bathworks Kit Selector

Still Not Sure?

Our team refinishes thousands of bathtubs, sinks, and showers every year. We know these products inside and out because we use them ourselves — every day, in the field. If you're not sure which Bathworks kit is right for your project, we're happy to help.

📧 info@munroproducts.com 📞 1.800.872.8827 (Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 5 PM EST)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Bathworks kit should I use for a fiberglass bathtub?

The Roll-On Refinishing Kit is the best choice for fiberglass bathtubs. Fiberglass does not require EZ-Etch — just clean the surface, sand with 120-grit sandpaper, apply the included primer, and coat. For fiberglass tubs with a shower floor, consider the Roll-On Kit with Non-Slip for added traction.

Do I need EZ-Etch for my project?

EZ-Etch is recommended for porcelain, ceramic, cast iron, and steel surfaces. These materials are too hard and glossy for sanding alone to create adequate adhesion. Do not use EZ-Etch on fiberglass, acrylic, or plastic surfaces. When in doubt, contact our team — we can help you identify your surface type.

Can I use a bathtub refinishing kit on my countertops?

Yes. Bathworks refinishing kits work on Formica, cultured marble, ceramic tile, and other hard countertop surfaces. Use the same Roll-On Refinishing Kit you would for a bathtub. For Formica and laminate, no EZ-Etch is needed — just clean, sand, prime, and coat.

What is the difference between the Roll-On Kit and the Essentials Kit?

Both kits use the same coating, primer, and instructions. The difference is what's included in the box. The full Roll-On Refinishing Kit ($79.95) includes a paint tray, foam roller, foam brush, sandpaper, TSP cleanser, gloves, and stir stick. The Essentials Kit ($69.95) includes only the coating, primer, and stir stick — you supply the rest. If you already have rollers and supplies on hand, the Essentials Kit saves you a few dollars.

Is the ECO kit as durable as the standard Bathworks kits?

The ECO kit uses a different coating chemistry (high-solids epoxy vs. the standard urethane resin) and has a shorter pot life of approximately 1 hour versus 2–3 hours. It delivers strong durability and gloss, but the standard Bathworks urethane formula offers superior long-term chemical resistance and longevity. The ECO kit's main advantage is significantly lower odor and VOC emissions, making it the right choice when ventilation is limited.

How is Cabinet Paint different from the refinishing kits?

They are completely different products. Bathworks refinishing kits use a two-part urethane or epoxy resin system designed for bathroom fixtures exposed to water, heat, and chemicals daily. Cabinet Paint is a single-component water-based acrylic with a satin finish — designed for cabinets, furniture, and interior/exterior woodwork. Cabinet Paint is low-VOC, cleans up with water, and does not require mixing. Do not use Cabinet Paint on bathtubs, sinks, or surfaces exposed to standing water.