1950s Porcelain Covered Metal Sink

Sink Styles

• By the 1950s, the porcelain-coated metal sink hadn't varied much in design. Bathroom sinks were previously hung on walls, but in the 1950s installing sinks into cabinets became popular. Kitchen sinks were sold as a kitchen unit: a cabinet with a porcelain-over-metal sink. Often single or double molded drain boards flanked the deep single or double sink basin. The sink was dropped into the cabinet or was molded and affixed to a metal or wood cabinet beneath. Today's marketplace offers a variety of 1950s sinks for sale.

Fixing Chips

• Small chips and scratches can be repaired with porcelain sink repair kits or with glossy enamel paint. The repair solution or the paint must be applied onto a sanded blemish one layer at a time. It is important to allow the paint to thoroughly dry between each coat. The solution or paint must be layered until the repair is level with the sink's porcelain surface. There are professional services that can repair larger cracks or metal corrosion. Once the porcelain layer is breached, the metal beneath is exposed and is susceptible to rusting.

Rust and Iron Sulfide Stains

• Rust stains are caused by rusting plumbing or by a breach in the coating that allowed water to erode the metal sink. Iron sulfide stains are black stains left on the sink by iron pots or other items. To remove rust stains, apply a solution of 5 percent sodium hydrosulfite to the stain. Rinse the solution away with water. There are rust removers available at automotive, home improvement, discount and home restoration stores. Remove iron sulfide stains by rubbing the stains with a 10 to 25 percent solution of hydroxide peroxide. Some iron sulfite stains will disappear quickly, others will take hours to fade. Iron sulfite stains react differently to hydroxide peroxide depending on the severity and age of the stain.

Resurfacing

• When a 1950s porcelain-covered metal sink is pitted, stained beyond stain removal methods, or boasting other blemishes, it needs to be resurfaced. Professional restoration services are effective yet costly. It is possible to resurface the sink yourself. Remove all faucets and plumbing from the sink. Thoroughly clean the sink. Apply an alkaline emulsifier to the porcelain coating. This chemical is found in many floor wax stripping solutions. Wipe the porcelain with a citrus, acid-based cleaner to neutralize the alkaline emulsifier. Rinse these solutions away with water and then dry the sink. At this point, repair cracks, scratches, chips and pits by applying fiberglass putty into the depressions. The putty needs to completely dry. Sand the putty until smooth with 36-grit sandpaper, followed with fine-grit sandpaper. Spray a primer intended for porcelain over the surface and allow it to air dry. With a paint gun, apply three layers of acrylic urethane enamel paint, allowing each paint coat to dry before applying the next. Rub the resurfaced sink with car wax and buff to a shine.