How to Refinish Antique Porcelain Sinks

You can revitalize the surface of an old porcelain sink, that is still functional but worn and dingy, by refinishing the porcelain. Porcelain sinks have cast-iron frames with the porcelain baked over them. Refinishing does not involve the baking process, but is more akin to painting the porcelain, using special primers and paints. You must de-gloss the porcelain before you start, using a chemical agent.

Wrench
Screwdriver
Masking tape
Plastic tarps
Respirator with mask
Rubber gloves (extra long)
Paintbrush
Hydrofluoric acid etching solution
Paint sprayer
Porcelain primer
Porcelain enamel paint

Instructions

- 1
  Remove all fixtures from the sink with your screwdriver. Set masking tape over any non-porcelain items that can’t be taken off. Lay out plastic tarps over the floor and tape tarps to the walls around the sink.
- 2
  Put on a respirator mask and long rubber gloves.
- 3
  Apply hydrofluoric acid etching solution with a paintbrush, covering the entire porcelain surface. Let it sit for 15 minutes, completely de-glossing the surface. Rinse well.
- 4
  Fill the paint sprayer with porcelain primer. Apply it in a light, thin coat, keeping the spray gun moving so there are no drips.
- 5
  Allow the primer to set for four hours. Apply a second coat. Let it set 12 hours.
- 6
  Refill the sprayer with porcelain enamel. Spray it on in the same fashion, in a light coat, keeping the sprayer nozzle moving at all times. Let it set four hours.
- 7
  Spray on a second coat of enamel. Let it set four hours. Repeat, applying four to six coats, as needed. Let the last coat set 48 hours. Re-install the sink fixtures.

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