Whether you like it, porcelain sinks will degrade over time with daily use, becoming dingy, worn down, and chipped. It is essential to know the average cost of bathroom sink and kitchen sink reglazing when this happens. Your other choice would be to get a porcelain enamel sink that is made tough, is stain and scratch or dent resistant, and will not corrode after years of use.
But you may have questions about the kitchen sink reglazing cost parameters. Should I rebuild and repair through reglazing or simply through the sink to the curb and buy new? My article will help you with some planning.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors revealed that the expected lifespan of a porcelain sink is 5 to 20 years. However, the lifespan of any sink, whether it is a porcelain or cast iron sink, will still vary depending on how well it is maintained.
Builder Surplus Kitchen and Bath Cabinets, based in Santa Ana in Southern California works with local companies and has team members with years of experience to help you if the end result is a new steel sink and tub combination. They will help price the actual cost of sink options and may even direct you to local sink refinishing services.
If you’re looking for a new kitchen appliance, like a sink, please have a look at Kraus USA’s line of Pintura-branded sink collections. If you’re more of an Amazon shopper, click on the image or this link for more details of Pintura collections sold there.
There are a number of factors involved in the refinishing process, as it depends on the condition of the sink (especially after heavy use). For example, a good bonding agent and epoxy filler will fill holes to cover chips but it’s also a good idea to use quality refinishing product items like epoxy primer paint with a high-quality paintbrush to minimize brush marks. With a bit of special care, the surface of the sink will end up in good shape.
Home improvement is a perfect opportunity to control the final cost for ceramic sink improvements since sink costs can be quite expensive if you’re planning to buy a new one from Builder Surplus, Home Depot, or others. A simple test is to determine how much you’re willing to spend. If buying new is too much, it’s better to improve the surface of the enamel on an existing sink on your own or through hired services.
Sometimes a refinished surface is all that is required but even with DIY kits (do it yourself) available in your local hardware store, hiring a reliable reglazing service may be the best way to restore your sink’s original functionality and appearance, extend its lifespan, and achieve your desired result.
The national cost of materials used for reglazing a sink is $26.27 per glazing and can range from $24.58 to $27.96. The overall price for materials and labor per glazing is $685.03, going anywhere from $417.39 to $952.67. The actual price depends on your chosen finish options, conditions, job size, and location.
Reglazing your old tub or sink is almost like a miracle method that will make you enjoy a new sink or tub. Read on below to know more about the reglazing procedure.
Table of Contents
- Understanding How to Reglaze a Porcelain Kitchen Sink
- Is Reglazing the Best Option for Your Sink
- Benefits of Reglazing
- Steps for Sink Reglazing
- Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding How to Reglaze a Porcelain Kitchen Sink
During the manufacturing process of porcelain sinks, an enamel layer is used to coat them to serve as their protection and is also responsible for their shiny appearance.
Unfortunately, this enamel on your sink bowl or porcelain tub becomes damaged or worn over time. Reglazing a sink refers to the process used for repairing this type of damage and extending the life of pedestal sinks and other types of sinks.
After the sink is thoroughly cleaned and primed, a professional will use materials like polyurethane or acrylic-urethane resin coating to reglaze it.
Is Reglazing the Best Option for Your Sink
The moment your porcelain bathroom or kitchen sink starts showing some signs of age, getting it replaced is not your only option. Although it often makes sense to replace a sink, there are times when reglazing is a more acceptable solution at a fraction of the cost.
Even with proper care and maintenance, there are a few signs you have to watch out for to know if professional refinishing is a good option for your sink.
Cracks or Chip
The surface of porcelain and iron tubs and sinks can develop tiny cracks and chips over time. This minor wear and tear don’t always mean that the full answer is replacing the sink. With the help of the reglazing process, it is possible to repair minor damages like small cracks.
Discoloration
Most of the time, routine cleaning is enough to remove stains in steel sinks and other sinks. However, there are instances when no amount of scrubbing is enough to eliminate this discoloration. If there is heavy staining on your sink, but it is still in excellent condition, you don’t have to replace it just yet. Professional sink refinishers can restore it to its original appearance.
Benefits of Reglazing
Most of the time, reglazing a sink instead of replacing it is a better choice in terms of economics and looks. For instance, iron sinks, marble sinks, porcelain sinks, and other sink materials may have a unique style or antique fixture look that you want to maintain.
Most older sinks, steel tubs, or other bathroom fixtures have custom or detailed elements that are hard or even impossible to find in many stores today. Also, unless you have a newer drop-in sink model, replacing it can be an expensive job.
Aside from the expense of a new cast-iron itself, it also involves costly remodeling and plumbing work to the surrounding walls, countertops, and flooring. Reglazing is a more cost-efficient solution to extend your sink’s useful life and original beauty.
Some of the benefits of kitchen reglazing include the following:
- Reglazing often gives you an option to pick a new color for the sink.
- Professional sink reglazing can be completed in just a few hours and can completely dry in less than 24 hours.
- Sinks use different materials such as porcelain, cast iron, acrylic, and ceramic, and it is often possible to reglaze any time.
Steps for Sink Reglazing
Reglazing is a process that you can do on your own or left to the hands of professionals.
Whether you do it yourself or let the experts deal with the process, there are several steps involved in reglazing your sink. Here are some to think about.
Preparing the Sink for Reglazing
As stated earlier, the prep work is the real secret and only option to achieve a great result when reglazing an unsightly sink. First, you have to protect the areas where you don’t want the glaze to end up.
Don’t forget to remove the faucet and set it aside. Use plastic to cover the backsplash and surrounding surfaces and tape it down. Clean your sink thoroughly and use paper towels to dry it afterward.
You can use a palm sander and fine sandpaper to sand down your entire sink. The new glaze will adhere better if the surface is rougher.
Reglazing the Kitchen Sink
Ensure that all your windows are open to ensure proper ventilation before applying any new glaze. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any dust from the sink.
Apply a layer of epoxy paint to the entire sink using a sponge or paint roller. Let the paint dry first for a minimum of an hour or even longer if possible.
After the epoxy glaze has completely dried off, you can now apply an acrylic top coat to seal it. Use a small brush to apply it evenly and work in the same direction. Please leave it to dry.
Repeat this process three times, ensuring that there is enough drying time between each coat. Let it dry overnight after you apply the final coat.
Once the layers of acrylic topcoat are dried, it is now safe to remove the masking tape and plastic sheeting and reattach the faucet. You can now enjoy the new look of your newly glazed sink and use it right away.
Other Useful and Important Tips for Kitchen Reglazing
When it comes to kitchen reglazing, you must have all the necessary tools and supplies, including adhesive tape, plastic protectors, acrylic sealant, and epoxy paint.
It will also help to have a palm sander or fine sandpaper, paper towels, and soap handy that you will use for cleaning. When using enamel paints, you can repeat the finishes until you achieve the desired results.
It is also important to remember that paint products may cause suffocation when used in closed spaces, so ventilation is necessary.
Opening windows and doors can prevent these risks to make the job safer and more comfortable for you.
Talk to a Professional to Know Your Options
While DIY reglazing options exist, most of these can quickly wear out and lead to the same problems in the long run.
You can look for professional reglazing contractors online by typing in your zip code. They can provide you with free estimates and inform you of your sink’s unique properties. They are also knowledgeable about the best materials that can endure high temperatures and provide long-lasting results.
You can also ask these professionals about the specific materials, their reglazing process, and their available warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you restore a kitchen sink?
Yes, you can restore kitchen sinks to get rid of rust stains and soap scum on the sink’s surface. Since it is costly to replace a kitchen sink, reglazing can restore your sink to a new condition. Sometimes a general contractor is the better choice in bringing new life to an old sink. The total cost could be higher than a do-it-yourself effort but it could also be a fantastic job worth the price!
How much will it cost to reglaze kitchen sinks?
The cost of reglazing kitchen sinks is only 30% the price of getting a new one. You can also do this independently; that only takes around two days to finish.
How long do sinks last?
The useful life of new sinks is approximately ten years. Still, it will depend on the usage, materials, finishing used, and level of care and maintenance.
What is reglazing, and how does it work?
The process of reglazing involves refinishing kitchen sinks made of porcelain, sealing them, and making them look brand new all over again.
How will you know if reglazing is right for you?
You can check several things to determine if reglazing is right for you, such as the size of the sink, the extent of the damage, and whether or not you want to remodel. Reglazing is a good option if you still love your sink, but it has already seen better days. But if you want something new or the sink has some severe damage, it might be better to repair or replace it entirely.
- About the Author
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John Thompson, Writer and Commentator, EvolutDesign.com
Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III). Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both. His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation.
