If you use a kitchen sink for a long time, or if you use it for many years, its surface can crack, chip, or get stained as a result of its long term use. It is tempting to install a brand new sink to eliminate the problem, but it is more budget friendly to resurface or refinish the sink if the problem persists. As part of a kitchen sink refinishing, you can also redecorate your sink by adding a new layer of color.
White sinks will tend to show dirt and stains easily but during resurfacing, you can change the color of the sink and make it look differently. In addition to resurfacing the sink, you will also learn how to make use of other materials than porcelain or stainless steel to make the sink.
What Is Refinishing or Reglazing And How it Works?
By reglazing a porcelain sink, we mean refinishing it, sealing it, and then refinishing it so that it looks like it is brand new once again.
To begin, the sink should be thoroughly cleaned and all hardware removed. It is necessary to sand the sink surfaces according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure they are smooth and even, then an acid paste is added to roughen up the surfaces and remove any imperfections.
Once this is accomplished, the sink will be thoroughly coated with a brand new coating of epoxy, which will seal things in and bring them back to their original state. It will once again look brand new upon reglazing.
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What should I consider before reglazing?
Should I reglaze my sink or replace it? In making this decision, you may find it helpful to consider the following factors.
Consider the size of your sink
If you have a large sink then it is more likely that you will be able to save a good amount of money by reglazing your sink rather than purchasing a new one. It is also important to note that sinks that are made with custom dimensions or that have unusual shapes can be expensive to replace, so reglazing may be the best choice.
Damage extent
In cases where your sink is cracked or heavily damaged, it will not be possible to reglaze it. This method is only applicable when your sink has cosmetic problems. In the case of deep cracks or chips, this method might not be effective.
Consider Remodeling
You should avoid reglazing your sink if you plan on remodeling your home within the near future, especially if you plan to replace it as part of your remodeling plans.
You can reglaze your sink if it’s in good shape but has seen better days and you like its look. Having said that, if you are in the mood for something new or if you sink is heavily damaged, you might want to consider repairing it than replacing it.
Materials Required
If you are going to refinish your kitchen sink, then there are some things you will need for the job.
- Epoxy spray paint – Buy Now
- Masking paper – Buy Now
- 180-grit sandpaper – Buy Now
- Professional painter’s tape – Buy Now
- Metal-etching spray primer – Buy Now
- Steel wool – Buy Now
- Rags – Buy Now
- Trisodium phosphate cleanser – Buy Now
- Acrylic spray primer – Buy Now
Steps on How to Refinish Your Kitchen Sink
There are many sinks that can be reglazed or resurfaced, including granite composite sinks. Thanks to the fact that this process is simple and safe, it can be done by anyone even if it is an amateur.
Step 1: Clean Your Sink
Clean the sink with a soft cloth soaked in trisodium phosphate. The environmental-friendly, substitute solution for TSP is trisodium phosphate, a natural, organic phosphate compound.
There are hardware stores where you can purchase it. This product is known for its power to completely remove the dirt, grease, and residual soap residue from the porcelain surface of a kitchen sink.
There is no primer that sticks to a dirty sink, and if you use the ordinary cleaners on a dirty sink there may still be residues left behind. If you purchase a soap that contains heavy-duty trisodium phosphate, you should thoroughly rinse the tub after using it. After that, you will have to wait for several hours for the tub to air dry, if this is the case.
Step 2: Sanding the Surface
In order to attach the hand sander’s clamps with medium-grit sandpaper, you will need a piece of medium-grit sandpaper.
After that, you can use it for sanding the surface of the sink thoroughly, paying special attention to the areas that are exposed to wear. In this way, you will get a rough surface, which will allow better adhesion of the paint.
Additionally, sanding will allow you to smooth out minor scratches and chips. It should be noted that metal sinks aren’t extremely stubborn about sticking to the adhesive. In order to make them easier to adhere, you should sand them until they have a coarse texture.
Step 3: Smooth Out the Surface of Sink
First of all, you are going to cover the faucet and your kitchen counters with a masking paper. Take some tape and attach it to the metal drain in the sink, and then secure with tape once more. Once the sink has been sanded and smoothed, you can then use sandpaper of fine grain to smooth out the surface of the sink.
Do not forget to clean all the dust and debris off the sink. For best results, we recommend using a damp cloth, since this will prevent any residue from sticking to it.
Step 4: Apply Coating
Once the surface has been smoothed, and all of the dirt has been removed, apply a bonding agent to it. This coating needs to be thin, in order to ensure accurate bonding. After applying the coating, let it dry for a couple of minutes.
Step 5: Epoxy Primer
In addition to the bonding agent, a coating of epoxy primer should be applied to the porcelain surface after the bonding agent has dried.
It is advisable to apply a light coating in addition to the bonding agent. In order to avoid visible brush strokes, you should use the same direction when moving the paintbrush. Once you have brushed the entire surface, allow it to dry for approximately 15-20 minutes before you start using it.
Step 6: Fine-grit Sandpaper
When the epoxy primer dries up, using fine-grit sandpaper, you should sand the surface of the sink once more. Next, you should use a damp cloth to remove the accumulated dust.
It is important at this point to have your surface thoroughly cleaned with none of the dirt particles present. Once your surface has been thoroughly cleaned, apply a second light coat of epoxy primer. Let the epoxy primer dry for approximately 15 minutes before using it.
Step 7: Apply Acrylic Topcoat
Apply a light top coat of acrylic after the second layer of epoxy primer has dried. While brushing your kitchen sink, be sure to brush in the same direction in order to minimize the risk of creating brush marks on your sink.
Once that has been done, let it dry for a couple of minutes, and then apply another layer of acrylic topcoat. For sinks made from nonmetal, it is best to use acrylic spray primer. On the other hand, metal etching spray prime would be most suitable for kitchen sinks made of metal.
Make sure to repeat the same process for the other two purposes, ensuring that each application is thin, and that there is enough time allotted to ensure that the applications have been properly dried.
It is recommended that your kitchen sink is allowed to dry for a period of 24 hours after you have finished coating it with the last coat. In order to obtain better results, your kitchen sink should not be overused for about five days.
If you notice a small kitchen sink that has been battered or is chipped, stained, or scratched, it is possible that it may have been used for a long period of time. The good news is that you’ll be able to transform it into a product that will look as new as the day you purchased it
Resurfacing, refinishing, or reglazing are the terms used to describe the process. We provide the following information so that when you resurface your kitchen sink, you have the facts at your fingertips.
Porcelain Kitchen Sink Refinishing
There is a common misconception that refinishing a sink is an expensive task, but this isn’t true. Although replacing the sink might be a good option, it is messy, expensive, and takes a lot of time.
Reglazing on the other hand only involves removing the hardware to start the process. Thankfully, the resurfacing process is simple and straightforward, and you only have to invest in the materials needed to properly resurface your sink.
The sink should be thoroughly cleaned before you attempt to reglaze it. You have to do this if you want to achieve the best results.
When resurfacing, use products that are specially formulated for deep cleaning dirt and stains so that they do not get sealed permanently. It is a very simple process, anyone, anywhere can do it. That is what I like about this process!
Conclusion
kitchen sinks, you’re probably looking at a pretty hefty price tag. If you’re on a budget and looking for an affordable alternative, then you might want to consider refinishing your sink. You can do it yourself and you can save a lot of money doing so.
We hope you enjoyed our article about refinishing a kitchen sink. With this knowledge, we know that you can make the most of your kitchen sink by giving it a new life. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to begin your kitchen sink refacing project!
