When a sink has been used for too long, the stains on it can get stubborn. The only way to make it look usable without replacing it is to reglaze it. If you know how to reglaze a sink, you can bring back a discolored sink to life. It is important to use the right supplies and techniques. In addition to that, you have to put in a bit of effort. Let’s get this done!
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What does ‘sink reglazing’ mean for a kitchen or bathroom sink?
The meaning of the word ‘reglazing’ is nothing else but resurfacing or refinishing. While refinishing or reglazing, you strip away the sink’s existing coating. Then you prep the surface and apply a new high-gloss coating on the sink. This is redoing your sink without a full renovation. You have to make sure that there are no drips or brush marks while you reglaze the sink. The new coating will make your old sink look bright and clean again.
Why reglazing is better than replacing a kitchen sink?
Replacing a sink can be a costly and time-consuming affair. You will need to dial a plumber who will take the sink out of the counter and replace it with a new sink properly. The new sink has to be connected to the old plumbing. You might have to stop using the bathroom or kitchen for a couple of days. Additionally, you will have to spend further on new fixtures and caulking, other than the labor charge.
If you intend to replace a pedestal sink, even the demolition is going to cost you more money. Or it can be difficult for you to get a new sink placed in the exact place if your old sink was uncommon. Then you would have to renovate the fixture area completely, which is going to be quite expensive.
In comparison to replacing, it is always better to reglaze if you can. You won’t have to do any plumbing work or remove the sink from where it is. In addition to that, you can repair minor cracks, if any, and remove even the most stubborn stains. The worst thing that can happen is the inability to use the bathroom or kitchen for some hours. The sink should not be used once it has been prepped and until the final coating has cured. But you will be able to use it within the same day.
You will have to repair cracks in the sink or bathtub before you can reglaze it.
Reglazing a porcelain sink
Remember to keep the window open when working with the acid-etching solution and topcoat. If there is no window in the room, keep the fan running to disperse the fumes.
Step 1: preparation
The first step is to prepare the sink by cleaning it. Clean your sink using your regular cleaning supplies. Next, use a silicone digester to remove silicone caulk from your sink. Then, clean the sink using an acid paste.
Doing this will ensure that there is nothing unwanted that the previous cleaning attempts have missed. The final thing you need to do while prepping is to use a degreaser. The preparation step will make reglazing the sink much easier and the result turn great.
You can also opt to remove the sink to reglaze it outside. To do this, you will have to turn off the water supply. Open up the faucet to drain all the water. Remove the drain and water supply line (we have discussed how to remove a PEX clamp here but in most instances, you can just unscrew the flexible pipes). Once this has been done, you can remove the screws that hold the sink in place. Make sure that you don’t drop the sink!
You can place the sink on a piece of cardboard before you start the following steps.
Step 2: prepare the room
Use a plastic tarp to cover the surrounding areas of the porcelain sink. Stick it to the floor and the walls using a wide painter’s tape. If there is any exposed plumbing underneath the sink, tape it off. Also, tape off all immovable fixtures and exposed metal surfaces. Cover all other parts except the porcelain.
Step 3: protect yourself
Prepare yourself with the required protective gear like gloves, respirators, goggles, and protective clothes.
Step 4: clean these inkg
Brush the entire porcelain surface with a porcelain acid-etching solution. Wash the surface thoroughly after keeping the solution for fifteen minutes. Allow the sink to dry properly.
Step 5: prime the sink
Pour porcelain primer into your paint sprayer. Then after setting the nozzle to a fine mist, spray the porcelain primer. Remember to coat it evenly and lightly. Apply another coat after allowing the first coat to dry for 30 minutes. Again allow this second coat to dry for 30 minutes. Then, apply a third coat. Allow this coat to dry overnight.
Step 6: reglaze the sink
First, you have to check if the primer was properly applied. Then fill up your paint-sprayer with a porcelain topcoat, which is a paint having polyurethane. Apply the topcoat too in light and even coats. Remember to leave a gap of half an hour between each coat. But put four to six coatings of the topcoat.
Step 7: finish the sink
Let the top coat dry for three days. Then you can restart using the sink.
Now your sink reglazing is done! Reglazing a kitchen sink is often easier than a bathroom sink.
Reglazing a ceramic sink
Step 1
The first step is the prepping stage. First, take off the faucet from the sink. Then use plastic to cover up the surrounding areas. Tape the plastic to affix it.
Step 2
After cleaning the sink, use paper towels to make it completely dry. Then you have to do the sanding of the sink using a palm sander and sandpaper. A rough surface will give the new glaze a better hold.
Step 3
Open the windows first. Then use a damp cloth to clean out any remaining dust from the sink. Apply a coat of epoxy paint on the whole sink using a sponge or paint roller. Allow the paint to dry for at least an hour.
Step 4
Now seal the epoxy paint with an acrylic topcoat. Use a small brush to do this job. Appy the coat evenly while stroking the brush in the same direction. Allow the coat to dry. Apply the top coat three times. Remember to let each coat dry before repeating the process. Let the final coat dry the whole night.
Step 5
Once the final layer of acrylic topcoat has dried, attach the faucet to the sink. And of course, you have to remove the plastic sheet and the masking tape. Your sink will be immediately ready to use.
An old sink, whether it is in the kitchen or bathroom, looks worn out. This in turn lends a dirty look to the entire room. When cleaning the sink does not bring out the desired result, you must resort to reglazing it. Hopefully, with the information shared above, you will be able to give your sink a fresh lease of life, renew it, and also save money.
This can also be a great moment to refresh the grout in the tiles next to your sink. It can give the complete area a new vibe.
That is it! Enjoy your renovated sink.
Resources
https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/documents/cramer-repair-kit-user-guide.pdf
