Polish/recondition a ceramic bathroom sink?

Pemolis · 07-24-2007, 12:20 PM

I am curious if there is a way to return the smooth-to-touch luster of a ceramic sink. The present one is a bit gritty to the touch (meaning the polish has been worn away). Is there any methods/items/equipment to return the smooth touch those old style pearl white ceramic sinks have?

I'm not worried about elbow grease and in all reality it doesn't bother me, but its one thing I would like to go over and fix myself.

Markel · 07-24-2007, 12:29 PM

I know that there are outfits that will coat a bathtub with a pretty strong epoxy coating (I hear the fumes are pretty bad when they do it). I imagine something like that would work for a sink as well, but I don't know if it's available in a do-it-yourself form.

renovation · 07-24-2007, 01:01 PM

im no help here . i have not seen or heard of a product. i have replaced a lot of sinks becouse of that same problem do .

Pemolis · 07-24-2007, 02:58 PM

Found it, It is doable. There is both a can spray, and a bucket (and damn there about 50 bucks)

Thought I'd post the instructions for the heck of it.

http://www.refinishingonline.com/directions.htm

Quote:

Instructions For Applying Bonding Agent and Refinisher Coating

PLEASE PRINT THESE DIRECTIONS

Warning

PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION. USE LATEX GLOVES WHEN HANDLING COATINGS AND BONDING SPRAY. FOLLOW MANUFACTURES DIRECTIONS AND AVOID BREATHING VAPORS. IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR HOME HAS RESPIRATORY HEALTH PROBLEMS OR ASTHMA, DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT. EXTINGUISH ALL IGNITION SOURCES. DO NOT SMOKE WHILE USING. FLAMMABLE.

COLOR MATCHES OF YOUR EXISTING FIXTURE MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE. IN THIS CASE, REFINISH THE ENTIRE FIXTURE.

KITCHEN SINKS RECEIVE A LOT OF ABUSE FROM POTS, PANS, SILVERWARE AND OTHER ITEMS DROPPED IN THEM. REAPPLICATION MAY BE NEEDED IF COATING IS CHIPPED, OR SCRATCHING OCCURS. DO NOT USE ABRASIVE CLEANSERS OR PADS. CLEAN WITH A NON BLEACH NONE ABRASIVE CLEANSER.

APPLIANCES Refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, range hoods, microwaves and washer / dryers only require cleaning and light sanding with 320 grit sand paper prior to masking off the appliance and following step 2 and 3 below (Application of bonding agent and painting). Great for touchups and complete painting of appliances. DO NOT USE ON COMPLETE COOKING AREA OF STOVES, OR ON VENTING AREA OF SELF CLEANING OVEN DOORS. TOUCH UPS ON THESE AREAS ARE O.K. CHIPS CAN BE REPAIRED WITH OUR PORCELAIN REPAIR KITS.

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1 - PREPARING THE FIXTURE (Bathtubs, sinks, tile, fiberglass showers, countertops, cultured marble)
A. Use products at room temperatures above 60 degrees only. The preparation of the fixture is the most important step in the refinishing process. Follow directions completely.
B. Surface must be clean, dry and free from rust. Remove caulking with a razor blade or putty knife. Remove soap scum, grease, wax, etc by wiping the fixture with Acetone purchased from your local hardware store. All fixtures, tile, and especially fiberglass fixtures must be sanded with 80 grit sandpaper to remove paint droppings, silicone caulking film, and other impurities prior to continuing. Fiberglass fixtures must be thoroughly sanded to roughen the surface prior to spraying on the bonding agent. (Exceptions are formica countertops, cultured marble and plastics. These surfaces require a light sanding with 320 grit sandpaper)
C. Remove any rust with a wire brush.

D. Chip or Crack Repairs In Sinks, Bathtubs, Tile, Cultured Marble and Fiberglass. If chips, cracks or dings are present. These must be repaired prior to refinishing. Repair kits, with easy to follow directions are available from our Super Store. After repairs are made, remove any left over debris and wipe the repaired area lightly with a small amount of Acetone on a paper towel. If you are just touching up the fixture, spray a light coat of Bonding Agent to the repair area only, wait 5 minutes and then follow the directions in step #3. If refinishing the complete fixture proceed to Step #2

* REMOVE ANY SILICONE OR OTHER TYPES OF CAULKING FROM THE FIXTURE COMPLETELY

STEP 2 – Applying Masking Tape and Spraying on Bonding Agent

Make sure fixture is dry and free of debris. Mask plumbing fixtures and surrounding areas with masking tape and paper if needed. Be sure to mask the drain areas of bathtubs and sinks. Cut excess tape from drains using a razor knife. Wipe the entire fixture with Acetone prior to applying the bonding agent. Allow Acetone to evaporate. Spray a light coat of Bonding Agent to the entire surface you are refinishing. Hold can 6" to 12 " away from fixture and spray in a sweeping motion, left to right, starting from one end of the fixture to the next. Be sure to overlap each stroke 50% and avoid any runs. On Sinks, start at the drain, and work your way out of the sink to the edges. For bathtubs, start at drain area, then cover the bottom of the bathtub, next the sides of the tub, and finally the top lip and the front of the bathtub last. WAIT 5 MINUTES THEN APPLY THE REFINISHER COATING PAINT AS DIRECTED IN STEP #3. Caution - Do not let Bonding Agent sit more than 20 minutes before applying the Refinisher Coating. IF you do, it will have to be removed with Acetone, and Step #2 will have to be repeated.

STEP 3 – Applying The Refinisher Paint Coating ( Paint Color)

A. Mask off plumbing fixtures, walls, or any other surfaces not being refinished.
B. Make sure arrow on spray can is facing away from you.. Hold the can about 6-8 inches from the surface, spray with short stroking motions. Do not try to apply coating all at once. Apply 3-light coats and finish with a good, wet, shiny coat waiting 5 minutes between each coat.
C. Avoid runs, If you do get any runs, wipe the spray off with a paper towel lightly saturated with Acetone. Let surface dry. Sand if needed, and remove debris with a paper towel, lightly saturated with Acetone .
D. To avoid splatters, clean spray nozzle buildup with a clean cloth, as needed. If the nozzle clogs, hold the can upside-down and spray to clean out spray nozzle.
E. Overspray can be removed from surfaces using a paper towel lightly saturated with Acetone. When finished, remove masking tape and paper. Do not allow fixture to dry with masking tape or paper left on it. Be careful not to get debris on wet coating. Allow to Dry 24-48 hours – DO NOT USE THE FIXTURE OR ALLOW THE SPRAYED AREA TO GET WET FOR 24-48 HOURS. The coating will harden in about 30 minutes please do not touch.

CARE AND CLEANING

Never clean fixtures with abrasive cleanser, or scrub pads. Do not use bleach or drain cleaners. Do not use suction type bath mats in bathtubs, all of these will damage the finish. Shelf life of product is 1 year. Keep out of reach of children.

I'm mildly debating this option atm. Its either 40 bucks for paint supplies, or 200 bucks for a new sink..

renovation · 07-24-2007, 03:22 PM

do a new sink - i think you be a lot more pleased with the final results !

utcpal · 07-24-2007, 06:44 PM

yep, I wud suggest the same..

oblongmelon · 07-24-2007, 08:02 PM

if you're going to recoat a sink-take it outside to do it..it's hardly worth all the fumes in your house. We've done many a bathtub and they turn out great!

07-24-2007, 12:20 PM	#1
Pemolis Lieutenant Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 350	Polish/recondition a ceramic bathroom sink? I am curious if there is a way to return the smooth-to-touch luster of a ceramic sink. The present one is a bit gritty to the touch (meaning the polish has been worn away). Is there any methods/items/equipment to return the smooth touch those old style pearl white ceramic sinks have? I'm not worried about elbow grease and in all reality it doesn't bother me, but its one thing I would like to go over and fix myself.

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07-24-2007, 12:29 PM	#2
Markel Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 11,733	I know that there are outfits that will coat a bathtub with a pretty strong epoxy coating (I hear the fumes are pretty bad when they do it). I imagine something like that would work for a sink as well, but I don't know if it's available in a do-it-yourself form. __________________ stay low... keep moving...

07-24-2007, 01:01 PM	#3
renovation Admiral Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: You could pick up Lindsay Lohan for less than a intel 990x, and still have money left over to bail her outta jail Posts: 5,029	im no help here . i have not seen or heard of a product. i have replaced a lot of sinks becouse of that same problem do . __________________ You could pick up Lindsay Lohan for less than a intel 990x, and still have money left over to bail her outta jail

07-24-2007, 03:22 PM	#5
renovation Admiral Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: You could pick up Lindsay Lohan for less than a intel 990x, and still have money left over to bail her outta jail Posts: 5,029	do a new sink - i think you be a lot more pleased with the final results !

07-24-2007, 06:44 PM	#6
utcpal Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 654	yep, I wud suggest the same..

07-24-2007, 08:02 PM	#7
oblongmelon Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a nutshell Posts: 9,678	if you're going to recoat a sink-take it outside to do it..it's hardly worth all the fumes in your house. We've done many a bathtub and they turn out great!

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