Before the Technician Arrives
Your preparation checklist is simple:
- Remove all personal items from the tub area (shampoo, soap, razors, towels)
- Clear the bathroom floor for easy access
- Ensure the bathroom has ventilation (a window that opens, or a working exhaust fan)
That's all you need to do. GoPro handles everything else.
Step 1: Arrival and Tub Assessment (15–20 minutes)
The GoPro technician arrives within the scheduled window, introduces themselves, and does a thorough assessment of your tub. They document:
- All chips, cracks, and surface damage
- Existing caulk condition
- Current color and desired finish
- Any special requests (non-slip coating, color matching)
If anything has changed since the estimate, the technician discusses it before beginning work.
Step 2: Ventilation Setup (10 minutes)
The technician sets up a ventilation system — typically a fan that exhausts fumes out a window. The bathroom door is sealed with plastic to contain overspray within the bathroom.
Step 3: Deep Clean and Degrease (30–45 minutes)
Every trace of soap scum, body oils, mold, and mineral deposits is removed using professional-grade cleaners. This step cannot be rushed — surface contamination is the leading cause of refinishing failure.
Step 4: Chemical Etch (15–20 minutes)
The tub surface is chemically etched to create microscopic texture that allows the coating to bond mechanically. This step is what separates professional refinishing from DIY kits — it requires the right acid concentration and timing to work correctly.
Step 5: Chip and Crack Repair (15–45 minutes, depending on damage)
Every chip and crack documented in Step 1 is filled with epoxy filler, allowed to set, and sanded smooth. Deep damage gets multiple fill-and-sand cycles until the surface is completely level.
Step 6: Masking (15–20 minutes)
All fixtures, hardware, walls, and floor areas are carefully masked with tape and plastic to protect against overspray. Professional masking is an art — it determines whether the finished job looks clean and crisp at the edges.
Step 7: Primer / Adhesion Coat (30 minutes including flash time)
The first coat — a bonding primer — is applied with GoPro's HVLP spray system. This coat must flash (partially dry) before finish coats can be applied.
Step 8: Finish Coats (60–90 minutes)
Two to three finish coats of the topcoat material are applied in thin, even passes with the HVLP sprayer. Each coat flashes between applications. The HVLP system produces a factory-smooth finish that brush-on methods cannot replicate.
Step 9: Final Inspection and Cleanup (20–30 minutes)
Masking is removed, the edges are inspected, and any touch-ups are done before the technician packs up. You inspect the tub together before they leave.
After the Technician Leaves
The tub needs 24 hours to fully cure before use. Keep the bathroom ventilated for the first few hours. The technician leaves care instructions covering safe cleaning products and the warranty terms.
The next morning, your tub looks like new.