Scratches and stains on the sink ruin your kitchen’s appearance? Instead of spending hundreds on a brand new fixture, you might want to learn how to resurface your kitchen sink.
Resurfacing a kitchen sink is easy with epoxy acrylic paint. This paint product works well for porcelain, acrylic, fiberglass, cast iron, and steel sinks. You could also refinish a porcelain sink with paint formulated for porcelain tiles. However, galvanized steel sinks are hard to resurface and should be replaced.
Main Topics
4 Reasons How Resurfacing Your Porcelain Kitchen Sink Will Help
1. Affordable revamping of your kitchen
The sink is an often neglected part of a kitchen. Yet, resurfacing gives frugal homeowners an affordable way to spruce up their space. Refinishing a worn-out fixture is cheaper than replacing it, and you’ll still get to enjoy that brand new kitchen sink effect.
2. More color options
New kitchen sinks only come in so many colors, but you don’t have to settle for the three or four standard options. Tub and sink paint comes in a range of less conventional hues, including bright blue, navy, green, yellow, slate gray, and red, to name just a few. You’ll be able to choose from traditional colors too, including white, cream, beige, and black.
3. Low maintenance
Once dry, epoxy acrylic paint offers a virtually unbreakable finish. If you follow all steps to apply it correctly, the coat becomes as tough as porcelain glazing. Thus, you won’t have to worry about scratches or bother with any maintenance.
4. It’s something you can do yourself
Reglazing a sink or tub sounds more complicated than it is. The job is similar to painting any other surface in your home. As long as you pay careful attention to each step and take the necessary precautions, there is no need to call a contractor.
DIY: How to Resurface a Kitchen Sink (7 Easy to Follow Steps)
Resurfacing a kitchen sink is easy, but to achieve success, make sure to follow the seven easy steps below.
Step 1 – Clean the sink
Prep is key to achieving a good result when painting a kitchen sink. You first have to clean the sink thoroughly with trisodium phosphate (TSP).
TSP is a granular or crystalline substance that you can mix with water to create an alkaline cleanser. Apply the solution with a stiff brush (make sure to wear rubber gloves, goggles, and a respirator) and scrub the sink to remove all food residues, grease, and grime.
Because TSP is a toxic substance and some local regulations may limit or ban its use, you can replace it with dish soap and bleach if needed. In this case, scrub the sink with dish soap, rinse with water, then scrub again with unscented household bleach.
When done, rinse with plenty of water and let it air dry for at least two hours before proceeding.
Step 2 – Prepare the surface
Once the sink is clean and ready to paint, move on to protect all areas that you don’t want to glaze. Use painter’s tape to cover the drain flange and faucet. Alternatively, you can take off the faucet and drain flange if you feel confident enough.
You should also cover the countertop around the sink and the backsplash with drop cloths fixed with painter’s tape. This step is crucial if you’re using spray paint or a paint sprayer to get the job done.
Step 3 – Sand the sink
All non-metal sinks must be abraded to improve adhesion. Use 180-grit sandpaper and a palm sander for the best results.
Cover the entire surface of the sink and pay attention to the angles. When you’re done, the surface should feel rough to the touch. In addition to encouraging grip, sanding will also smoothen any scratches and fine cracks.
Step 4 – Repair any chips
While large cracks are impossible to repair, smaller chips are easy to fix with a porcelain repair kit. Most kits on the market consist of two separate substances that activate when mixed or that must be applied one after the other.
Follow the instructions on the package to use the product and fix the cracks. Let it dry and cure as instructed, then sand the surface again to level it. Use a vacuum cleaner or damp cloth to remove the dust and let the sink dry before proceeding.
Step 5 – Apply the bonding agent
Most epoxy paints require an acrylic primer as a bonding agent. Acrylic primers suitable to use on sinks are available as paint sprays and are very easy to apply. Spray the product on the entire surface in an even layer and let it dry for about two hours.
After that time, apply a second coat of primer and let it dry completely. Some epoxy paint products include the bonding agent and, like most sink and tub repair kits, require you to mix the two substances before painting.
If you decide to use such paint, you won’t have to apply a primer first, but these products are trickier to use. The bonding agent hardens the paint quite quickly, so you’ll have to be able to paint fast once the two substances are mixed.
You should also know that acrylic primers won’t bond to metal surfaces, so you’ll have to use a metal primer if your sink is made of steel or unglazed cast iron.
Step 6 – Paint the sink
Once the primer is dry, proceed to paint your kitchen sink. You can choose from spray paints or paint cans. If the product comes in a can, we recommend applying it with a paint sprayer to achieve the best results. A roller is a decent alternative, but a brush will likely leave unflattering streaks behind.
Depending on the product you use, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply the paint. Let the first coat dry for four to 16 hours (oil-based paint takes more time to dry), then apply a second coat. After the last coating, allow the product to dry for at least 24 hours before using the sink.
Step 7 – Cure the paint
After the paint has dried for at least 24 hours, you can start using the sink again. However, epoxy paint needs about five days to cure. Thus, you should make sure to avoid heavy use for this time, and preferably for a week.
Tools and Materials Required
Trisodium phosphate cleaner
This potent cleaning agent is an excellent choice for removing all grime from your kitchen sink, including grease residues and soap scums. Wear protective equipment when using it.
Steel wool or stiff scrub brush
It is needed for in-depth cleaning of the porcelain or enamel surface.
180-grit sandpaper
Sanding is necessary to improve grip for the bonding agent. 180-grit sandpaper is fine enough to prevent damaging the surface yet coarse enough to provide the desired rough surface.
Sander
It is required for sanding the sink, considering that porcelain glaze is typically too hard to sand manually.
Drop cloths and professional painter’s tape
They are needed to protect the areas you don’t want to paint, including the countertop and backsplash.
Paint sprayer
You should apply epoxy paint with a paint sprayer to achieve the best results.
Paintbrush or roller
An alternative to the paint sprayer or spray paint. If needed, it is best to opt for a roller rather than a brush.
Acrylic primer
It acts as a bonding agent between the sink’s surface and the paint. Priming the surface is not required if the paint product you use comes with a bonding agent. Acrylic primer is required for porcelain, fiberglass, acrylic, or enameled sinks. It won’t adhere to metal.
Metal primer
An alternative to acrylic primer for non-glazed, metal sinks.
Epoxy paint
The paint of choice for sinks, tubs, and porcelain tiles. You could replace it with oil-based enamel, but the result won’t look as good, and it will not last as long as epoxy paint.
Protective equipment
Face mask with respirator, goggles, and rubber gloves. You should wear them when cleaning with TSP and when using sprays or the paint sprayer.
FAQs
How much does it cost to resurface a kitchen sink?
The materials necessary to resurface a kitchen sink will cost you about $25-$26 on average. In addition to these, you might also have to buy a sander and paint sprayer if you don’t have them already and can’t borrow or rent them.
Can I resurface a granite kitchen sink?
Yes, you can resurface a granite sink following the steps above. You must only replace the epoxy paint with epoxy spray paint for appliances and use 120-grit instead of 180-grit sandpaper.
Can kitchen sinks be refinished?
Yes, you can refinish almost all kitchen sinks, as long as they aren’t massively damaged. Extensive cracks cannot be repaired, and you’ll have to replace the fixture. Another exception includes the galvanized steel sinks, which can’t be refinished.
Conclusion
Resurfacing your kitchen sink comes as a great alternative to replacing it altogether. Refinishing helps you save some bucks while improving your interior. Tub and sink epoxy paint provide a long-lasting and scratch-resistant finish as long as you follow all application instructions and prepare the surface properly before painting. With this in mind, you can now embark on this exciting home improvement project.
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