Kent · England

Bath Re-enamelling in Shipbourne

Problem with your bath in Shipbourne? We put it right where it is, match it on site and guarantee the work for a year.

  • Resurfacing from £350
  • Enamel that is lost its shine and feels rough
  • A peeling or bubbling previous coating
Surface Doctor technician refinishing the outside of a roll-top bath

Trusted bath re-enamelling in Shipbourne

Why repair rather than replace?

Replacement only makes sense in a few cases: if the bath is cracked through, if you want a different size or shape, or if you’re refitting the whole room anyway. In most other cases, resurfacing is the better choice. Our bath re-enamelling starts from £350. Every job is a little different, so each one is priced on its own. What’s damaged, how badly and how easy it is to reach all make a difference, and combining jobs on one visit brings the cost down.

Why Shipbourne customers choose us

  • Work done at your home or business
  • Fixed prices from your photos
  • Honest advice, even when it means no job
  • One-year guarantee on every repair

Read our full price list or guide to resurfacing and replacement costs.

Bath re-enamelling at your home in Shipbourne

Many of the baths we re-enamel are period roll-tops, which would be difficult and expensive to replace. Resurfacing them in place keeps the original bath. We regularly repair acrylic baths, basins & shower trays and Victorian roll-tops, and common reasons people contact us are chips and rust in more than one place and a dull, rough surface that won’t come clean.

All of our repairs are guaranteed for twelve months, and the guarantee is the same wherever you live. We return to put right any problem with the work.

Where
Shipbourne (TN11)
Region
Kent
Guarantee
One year on every repair
Quotes
From £350. Free and fixed, from your pictures
Telephone
0345 017 0787
Page updated
23 October 2026
Roll-top bath being refinished by a Surface Doctor technician

What a repair cannot fix

In fairness, there are a few things a repair won’t fix:

  • Acrylic that moves when you stand in it
  • Steel that has corroded right through
  • Leaks from fittings rather than the bath

Not sure? Send pictures and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking.

Surfaces we repair

  • Acrylic baths
  • Victorian roll-tops
  • Cast iron baths
  • Pressed steel baths
  • Basins & shower trays

Should I try a DIY kit first?

The difference between a kit and a professional repair is mostly in the preparation and colour. We prepare the area properly, mix the colour on site and polish the finish to match, and the work is guaranteed.

A DIY attempt is not a disaster. We take the old repair out and do it properly, so it does not stop a professional repair. Just mention it when you send photos, as it can add time.

Landlord and trade work in Shipbourne

For developers and builders, we fix damage before handover, saving last-minute replacements. We can visit several plots in one trip to keep costs down.

We regularly work with letting and managing agents. Just send photos, the address and how to get access and we’ll arrange it.

Where we work around Shipbourne

Shipbourne is about 3 miles north of Tonbridge, in Kent. We work in every kind of home, old or new, large or small, plus businesses and rented homes. Shipbourne is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is London, about 24 miles away.

Every address in TN11 is within our area, from the main roads to the quietest streets. You’ll find streets such as Upper Green Road, Upper Green Lane and Back Lane, and we cover them all. We also cover the places around Shipbourne: Budds (1 mile west), Yopps Green (1 mile north), Sheet Hill (2 miles north), Ivy Hatch (2 miles north) and Coldharbour (2 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (11 miles east), Dartford (14 miles north), Sevenoaks (5 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (8 miles south), Gravesend (13 miles north) and Tonbridge (3 miles south).

Local landmarks in Shipbourne

Around Shipbourne, we work in homes near Church of St Giles, Shipbourne School and Ivy Hatch Nature Reserve and the streets around them. Nearby too are Hugh Christie Technology College (2.3 miles south) and The Chaser Public House (under half a mile west). For rail, the closest station is Borough Green & Wrotham station, about 3.3 miles north of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Ightham Court (3.3 miles north) and Hadlow Tower museum (2.8 miles south-east). Not far away are Barden Lake.

Map of Shipbourne © OpenStreetMap contributors

When to call us in Shipbourne

Older baths frequently have several problems at once: worn patches, chips, rust spots and stains. Re-enamelling deals with all of them in one go.

Common reasons people in Shipbourne contact us include:

  • An old resurfacing that’s failing
  • Enamel that’s lost its shine and feels rough
  • Brown or grey marks that don’t clean off
  • An original cast iron bath that needs restoring

Questions to ask before you book

  • What preparation is included
  • Whether there are any call-out or travel charges
  • Whether the price is fixed and includes VAT
  • What protection goes down before work starts

Choosing a repair company

Common questions in Shipbourne

Can you make a coloured bath white?

Yes. We can resurface a coloured bath in white, and we can do the rest of the suite as well.

Can I get a quote without a visit?

Nearly always. If photos do not show enough, we’ll ask for another angle.

Does re-enamelling smell?

Yes, while we are applying the finish. Ventilation keeps it down, and it fades as the finish cures.

Do you do work for letting agents?

Yes. We carry out repairs for homeowners, landlords, letting agents, builders and businesses.

How long does re-enamelling take?

Generally one day, with the bath ready the following day. A badly pitted bath can need a second day.

What happens once I’ve sent photos?

We look at the pictures and reply with a fixed price and some dates. If anything’s unclear, we’ll ask for another photo.

How long does re-enamelling last?

It depends on preparation, use and care. Properly prepared and looked after, it lasts well, and it’s guaranteed for a year.

Do the materials smell?

Some materials have a smell while they’re applied, which is why we ventilate. It fades as everything cures.

Looking after it afterwards

A little care keeps the finish looking good. We recommend:

  • A quick wipe after use keeps limescale away
  • Leave the bath for the full curing time before using it
  • Wash away dyes and oils after use
  • Do not leave a chip unrepaired

Wipe the bath dry after use where you can, and rinse off any bath products.

Rust spots on a worn bath get worse with time and make the job bigger. Resurfacing before they spread keeps it simpler.

Different materials, different repairs

Roll-top and period baths

We can resurface a roll-top inside and out, with the outside refinished as well.

Pressed steel

Steel baths and trays have a thin metal body under the enamel. Exposed steel rusts quickly, so the metal is treated and sealed before the repair.

What we do, step by step

We work cleanly and quietly, so you can carry on at home. Protection goes down first, then the job itself takes most of the day. Before we leave, we explain the curing time and the aftercare.

  1. The bathroom is protected and ventilation set up.
  2. Old sealant is cut out and the bath is deep cleaned.
  3. Chips, rust and pitting are repaired.
  4. The surface is keyed and primed for the new finish.
  5. Several coats of finish are sprayed on, then it cures until the next day.

Before we arrive

  • Ensure the area is dry
  • Mention if the room is upstairs or in a flat
  • Mention any parking restrictions or tricky access

How to get a price

For a price in Shipbourne, photos are the quickest way: one close up, one from further back, plus your postcode. You will get a fixed quote with dates to choose from.

Get a free quote

Related advice

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