The Cast Iron Sink Is Peeling

Take It Off

• Depending on the degree of peeling, flaky pieces can be simply pulled off and discarded. For sections that aren’t yet peeling but inevitably will, you’ll need industrial-strength paint thinner that, when applied and allowed to set, softens hardened enamel so you can remove it with a paint scraper. With particularly tough spots that seem resistant to the chemical peel, use 40- to 60-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface then apply the thinner to penetrate deeper and loosen the porcelain coating.

More Cleaning

• Once all of the porcelain enamel is stripped away and you’re left with the bare cast iron, the work isn’t done. Cast iron is a notoriously textured metal, meaning the surface is filled with tiny crevices containing porcelain that the thinner simply cannot reach. Applying paint or some type of coating at this stage will only ruin the job; a proper bond between the iron and whatever it is you’re using just isn't possible. Instead, purchase a bottle of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP), available at your local home improvement or paint center and sold under various brand names.

Scrub It

• Mix the TSP, as directed on the label, after first donning safety gear. Heavy-duty rubber gloves, eye goggles and a dust mask are all highly recommended as TSP is a very toxic cleaning agent with a pungent odor. Use an old sponge to coat the TSP/water solution over the entirety of the sink and scrub vigorously for several minutes with a wire brush to loosen the enamel. Rinse off the suds created by the solution, allow the iron to dry then repeat two to three times to effectively remove any hidden pockets of porcelain.

The Finishing Touches

• After the sink is dry to the touch, use a piece of 80-grit wet/dry sandpaper to sand the iron to an acceptable sheen. Work slowly and methodically, in only 10- to 12-inch sections, to ensure every area is properly and evenly sanded. If not, the epoxy will peel within a few days' time. After all the sanding is complete, use an epoxy kit and apply two to three even coats with the included rollers over the sink’s surface.