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Refinishing

Clawfoot & Antique Tub Restoration

Century-old clawfoot tubs restored inside and out, from the enamel to the feet.

Clawfoot & Antique Tub Restoration

A cast iron clawfoot tub is worth saving. New reproductions cost thousands, and the original has a weight, depth, and character no acrylic copy matches. We restore antique tubs completely: the interior is repaired and refinished to a smooth, glossy finish with the same ShurBond coating we use on every tub, the exterior is finished in whatever colour suits your room, and the feet are detailed to stand out. Whether it has been sitting in a barn or serving daily in a century home, the tub comes back looking the way it deserves to.

Often paired with bathtub refinishing, colour change & matching, and chip & crack repairs, since combining work in one visit keeps the total cost down.

Available in North Bay, Greater Sudbury, Huntsville, and the rest of our Northern Ontario service area.

Clawfoot Restoration, completed work
From a recent clawfoot restoration job.

What’s included

  • Full assessment of the enamel, cast iron, and feet
  • Chip, rust spot, and wear repair before any coating
  • Interior refinished with professional ShurBond coating
  • Exterior painted in the colour of your choice
  • Feet cleaned up and finished as an accent or to match
  • Care instructions so the restored finish lasts

When to call us

  • An original clawfoot tub with a stained, rough, or worn interior
  • Rust spots or chips showing through the old enamel
  • An exterior colour that no longer suits the bathroom
  • A salvaged or inherited tub you want to put back into service
  • A reproduction tub quote that costs more than restoring the real thing

How it works

  1. 01
    Assess the tub

    We look at the enamel condition, any rust or chips, and the state of the feet, then confirm the scope and price before work begins.

  2. 02
    Repair the damage

    Chips, rust spots, and worn patches are repaired and the whole surface is prepped so the new coating bonds permanently.

  3. 03
    Refinish the interior

    The bathing surface gets the same ShurBond coating as our standard refinishing work, applied in controlled layers for a smooth, glossy result.

  4. 04
    Finish the exterior and feet

    The exterior is finished in the colour you have chosen, and the feet are detailed to match or contrast. The tub is ready for service once everything has cured.

FAQ

Clawfoot Restoration: questions we hear most.

Straight answers from the crew doing the work. If yours is not here, call and ask.

Is it worth restoring an old clawfoot tub instead of buying a new one?
Usually, yes. A quality reproduction clawfoot tub runs into the thousands before plumbing, and lighter acrylic copies do not hold heat or feel the same. Restoring the original cast iron tub costs a fraction of that and keeps a fixture that has already lasted a century.
Can you fix rust and chips in the old enamel?
Yes. Rust spots, chips, and worn patches are repaired and filled before the new coating goes on, so the finished surface is smooth and uniform. If the tub has deeper damage, we assess it honestly before any work starts.
What colours can the outside be?
Nearly anything. The exterior does not have to be white: deep greys, blues, blacks, and heritage colours are all popular, with the feet finished to match or as a contrasting accent.
Do old clawfoot tubs contain lead in the glaze?
Some porcelain glazes from that era can contain lead. Refinishing seals the original surface behind a modern coating, so the old glaze is no longer what bath water touches. Our lead protection page covers this in more detail.
How long does a full restoration take?
The work itself typically takes a day, and the coatings then need to cure. Most restored tubs are ready for regular use within 48 hours of the finish going on.

Tell us what is wrong with your tub.Get a price the same day.

Most refinishing jobs run $400 to $650 and are back in service within 48 hours. Describe the problem and we will tell you exactly what fixing it costs.