Bathtub Refinishing and Reglazing
Worn, stained, or dated tubs are prepped, repaired, and refinished to a smooth glossy surface in one visit. Acrylic, cast iron, fiberglass, porcelain, and steel.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bathtub Refinishing & Fiberglass Repair in Southeast Michigan
Jim Bowman has spent more than 35 years refinishing bathtubs and repairing fiberglass for homeowners, landlords, and property managers around Ann Arbor. Most tubs are finished in about 4 to 5 hours and ready to use in about 24 hours, at roughly 75% less than replacement.
- Licensed and insured
- Same day turnaround
- Free estimates
Repair or refinish, not replace
Cracks, holes, chips, rust, and dull worn finishes on tubs, showers, sinks, and tile. Send Jim a photo and he will tell you honestly whether the surface can be saved.
- Acrylic surfaces
- Cast iron surfaces
- Fiberglass surfaces
- Porcelain surfaces
- Steel surfaces
35+
Years of experience
6,600+
Projects completed
~75%
Savings vs replacement
5 Year
Residential warranty
What We Do
Bathtub, Shower, and Fiberglass Services
One craftsman, decades of hands on work, and a focus on surfaces most contractors will not touch.
Fiberglass Crack and Hole Repair
Cracked floors, spider cracks, soft spots, and holes are reinforced and rebuilt, then color matched to the surrounding surface so the repair disappears.
Shower and Shower Pan Repair
Leaking or flexing shower pans, cracked shower floors, and worn shower walls repaired and refinished without a full tear out.
Porcelain, Tile, and Sink Work
Chips, rust spots, and dull porcelain restored. Tile surrounds and sinks refinished in a new color when you want the whole bathroom to match.
Color Changes and Anti-Slip
Custom color matching, full color changes from almond or pink to white, and anti-slip treatments applied to tub and shower floors.
Commercial Refinishing
Apartment complexes, hotels, and multi-unit properties get units back in service fast at a fraction of replacement cost.
View our full bathtub refinishing and fiberglass repair services
Refinish vs Replace
Why Refinishing Beats Replacement for Most Tubs
Replacing a tub means demolition, damaged tile, plumbing work, disposal, and often a week or more of a bathroom you cannot use. Refinishing keeps the tub in place and restores the surface instead.
- Save roughly 75% compared with a full replacement
- Typical project runs about 4 to 5 hours
- Back in use in about 24 hours
- No torn out tile, drywall, or flooring
- Original cast iron and steel tubs stay where they belong
- 5 year warranty on residential refinishing
When replacement is the better call
Not every surface is worth saving. If damage is too far gone for a repair that lasts, Jim will tell you so instead of taking the job. That advice is free.
Real Michigan Projects
Before and After
Actual Absolutely Smooth work, photographed before and after the repair and refinish.
Before
AfterWorn tub surface restored
Surface prepped, damage repaired, and refinished to a clean white gloss.
Before
AfterDamaged bathtub refinished
Repair blended into the original surface with matched color and texture.
See more before and after refinishing projects in our gallery
The Owner
Jim Bowman, Ann Arbor
Jim does the work himself. He has been repairing and refinishing bathtubs, showers, sinks, and tile in Southeast Michigan for more than 35 years and has completed over 6,600 projects.
Customers call him for the jobs other companies turn down: a hole in a fiberglass tub, a cracked shower pan, a jetted tub with a split floor. Fiberglass repair is his specialty.
Residential
Homeowners and condo owners across Washtenaw, Wayne, and Oakland counties. One tub, one shower, or a full bathroom of surfaces, backed by a 5 year warranty.
Commercial
Apartment complexes, hotels, and multi-unit properties. Refinishing keeps units rentable and cuts both cost and downtime compared with replacement.
Where We Work
Service Area: Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan
Absolutely Smooth Bathtubs provides bathtub refinishing, bathtub reglazing, fiberglass repair, and shower repair throughout Ann Arbor and surrounding Southeast Michigan communities. Jim travels roughly a 50 miles radius from Ann Arbor, covering Oakland County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County.
- Ann Arbor
- Brighton
- Canton
- Chelsea
- Dearborn
- Dexter
- Farmington Hills
- Garden City
- Livonia
- Northville
- Novi
- Plymouth
- Redford
- Saline
- South Lyon
- Westland
- Whitmore Lake
- Ypsilanti
Homeowners in Ypsilanti, Saline, and Dexter, condo owners in Novi and Northville, and property managers in Livonia, Westland, and Dearborn all call for the same reasons: a cracked fiberglass tub, a worn porcelain surface, or a shower pan that needs repair rather than replacement. If you are near the edge of the radius, call and ask.
Reviews
What Our Customers Say
Reviews from Southeast Michigan customers, printed exactly as they were written.
Great price Jim repaired cracks and a previous repair at the bottom middle of one piece tub that the previous home owner had done. The damage was worse than expected and when Jim started the repair. Now there are no signs of any damage whatsoever and the color match is spot on.
After a lot of research and calling for quotes some people were giving me up to 2,000$ and/or saying it’s not possible to repair but I need to pay thousands for a new tub. I found The bath Doctor Jim and his crew. He was prompt and professional and very friendly and helpful to set up a good time for me. He made sure my family was safe by venting the very smelly paint out of a nearby window. I was not sure the job could be done but he was successful. It looked brand new. He gave very detailed instructions how to care for the tub. And cleaned up the space well afterwards. Wed highly recommend Jim to everyone. 5 stars :)
Jimmy was very personable, informative &honest. My bathroom sink has a number of big cracks in it so he asked me to send close up pictures. He was honest enough to tell me that it was destroyed & needed to replace it. I value his advice & honesty rafter than doing a job that wouldn’t have lasted a number of years & in the long run cost me more than replacing it Thank you Jimmy for your honesty!
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about bathtub refinishing, fiberglass repair, and scheduling in Southeast Michigan.
How long does bathtub refinishing take?
A typical bathtub refinishing project takes about 4 to 5 hours from setup to final coat. Most jobs are finished in a single visit, so your bathroom is only out of service for part of one day.
When can I use my bathtub again?
Most tubs are ready to use again in about 24 hours. Jim gives you clear care instructions before he leaves so the new finish cures properly.
How much can refinishing save compared with replacement?
Refinishing usually saves around 75% compared with tearing out and replacing a tub. You also avoid demolition, tile damage, plumbing work, and days of disruption.
How long does bathtub refinishing last?
A properly prepared and refinished tub holds up for many years with normal care. Residential refinishing work carries a 5-year warranty.
Can fiberglass cracks be repaired?
Yes. Cracked fiberglass tubs and shower pans are one of Jim's specialties. The area is reinforced from below where needed, the crack is filled and rebuilt, then the surface is refinished so the repair blends into the original color and texture.
What areas do you serve?
Absolutely Smooth Bathtubs works throughout Ann Arbor and roughly a 50-mile radius around it, covering Washtenaw, Wayne, and Oakland counties.
How do I request an estimate?
Call Jim at (734) 277-4828 or send your project details through the contact form. Photos of the damage help him tell you quickly whether the surface can be repaired.
Get a Free Bathtub Refinishing Estimate
Tell Jim what you are dealing with and send a few photos of the damage. He will tell you honestly whether it can be repaired and what it will cost.