The bathroom is one of the hardest working rooms in your home. Bathrooms see significant use on a daily basis, which means that the appliances and fixtures in your bathroom will likely start showing signs of wear faster than others in your home.

If your bathtub is chipped, faded, or looking a little dull, you may want to consider reglazing it. The reglazing process can restore the beauty of your tub while sparing you the cost of purchasing a new tub for your bathroom.

Here are three important steps in the reglazing process that you can't afford to overlook if you want your project to be a success.

1. Clean the Bathtub

You should always start your reglazing project with a clean bathtub. It's not enough just to wipe down the tub with a wet rag, you need to really give your bathtub a thorough cleaning to prepare it for glazing.

Use scouring powder and a pad to remove dirt and debris. Use a razor knife to get rid of any soap scum or hard water buildup. Be sure that you scrub the drain carefully to get rid of any lingering hair or other debris.

Any residue that is left inside your tub before you apply the glaze could ruin the outcome of your project.

2. Use a Filler

The glazing products that are used to breathe new life into an old bathtub work best when applied to a completely smooth surface. If your tub has any chips or cracks, you will need to repair these types of damage before you begin glazing.

Specialized porcelain fillers are available to help you complete minor repairs.

You will need to allow enough time for the filler to dry completely so that it won't interact with the glaze once you are ready to refinish your tub.

3. Sand Your Tub

Once all damage has been addressed and your tub is as clean as you can get it, you will need to sand the entire surface of the tub to prepare it for reglazing.

Sanding can be done manually or with an orbital sander.

Be sure that you wear a protective mask when sanding your tub to prevent dust particles from entering your airway. You want to smooth out any rough spots and make sure that any areas where you applied filler are flush with the rest of your tub.

A wet paper towel can be used to wipe away any dust sanding leaves behind on the inside of your tub.

Contact a professional if you have questions about tub reglazing.