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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Refinishing of antique cast iron/porcelain sink

Q. I have an old sink (about 100 years old). It has been refinished in my home but the new finish is becoming scratched and chipped (after about 5 years). I have heard that powder coating gives a more durable finish. Does anyone have experience with this process on sinks or tubs?

Carol Agins
homeowner - New York, New York
2005

A. If I guess correctly you would have a porcelain coating over a cast iron sink, for the finish to be redone you would have to take the sink to a professional (I have no idea who would be able to do this now).

Now on to different coatings, to be honest a cast iron/porcelain sink will withstand a great deal of abuse. If you are chipping the glaze I don't think a powder coat will hold up better than your current coating.

I would look into having the sink redone by a professional rather than an in-home job. I would check with some of the manufacturers of current porcelain/cast iron sinks and see if they have any advice for getting new porcelain put on it.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Shiloh, North Carolina
2005

A. I suspect that the home finisher who re-did your sink used an epoxy paint. This is a common practice, and the finish will last for several years if not cleaned with harsh cleansers.

Powder coating chemistries are very much like liquid paint formulations, and an epoxy powder coat will not last any longer than a liquid epoxy coating.

You might find someone who can re-porcelain the sink for you, but I suspect it may be difficult.

Daryl Spindler, CEF
decorative nickel-chrome plating - Greenbrier, Tennessee
2005

RFQ: I have an old white enamel cast iron laundry sink (double bowl, about 42" wide) which I would like to have re-enameled... not coated on-site with modern process/materials, but restored using original enameling process. Could most easily send/deliver the sink to a shop in the NY/CT/NJ area. Thanks.

Julie Jansen
homeowner - Darien, Connecticut, USA
2006

Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)

RFQ: We are redoing our home which was built in the early 70s; we would really like to keep our cast iron double sink in our kitchen. However, this pair of sinks have a few nicks and the color is all wrong. Could you please give me information as to a company in my area that might be able to refinish this item? We live in the Greater Houston Texas area.

Thank you for your time and help.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Cable
hobbyist - Houston, Texas
2006

RFQ: Hi, I was wondering if you found anyone who could re-porcelain your sink for you? I have the same problem with my old farmhouse sink.
Thanks!

Sharon Ross
- Clarkesville, Georgia
2007

2007

Q. I am restoring a 1930s house. It has a cast iron, wall mounted single basin sink with double drainboards. The sink has charm, character and a worn finish. I hired a professional who recoated it with epoxy but the finish only lasted about 3 years. I'm lobbying for a longer lasting solution that would let this beautiful piece continue to have a place in our home. I would like to have this recoated and refired to recreate the original finish.

Is there hope?

Faye Gibson
graphic designer - Tallahassee, Florida, USA

RFQ: I am looking for someone who can/will restore a wall hung 28" wide cast iron sink with a back board

Jerry Kennedy
home owner - Lafayette, Colorado, USA
July 23, 2008

A. I have an old drainboard sink that I pulled out of my Grandmother's home and am having Unique Refinishers in Sugar Hill GA do it. Hope it helps.

Terri Olsen
- Ellijay, Georgia
September 18, 2009

A. Custom Ceramic Coatings, of Lenzburg, Illinois, offers re-porcelaining of tubs in a furnace.

Shellie Martin
- Sanderson, Texas USA
February 17, 2012

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Ed. note: Thanks Sharon. Thanks, Shellie. Readers are invited to offer the names and towns of additional porcelaining shops. Apologies, but for a number of reasons we must delete all "testimonials" and additional contact info.

Q. Hi
I have a very expensive Colar [ed. note: Kohler?] kitchen sink that needs refinishing; it is Cast Iron I have heard of various ways to do this, if some one could direct me in which would be the best way to do this I would certainly appreciate the input.

Thanks.

Guy Anderton
Hobbyist,car restorer, Contractor - Courtenay B.C. Canada
March 7, 2011

A. Hello, Guy.

Is this a porcelain coated sink where the porcelain has chipped or worn off, or something else? Is it white, or some paint color? Maybe you could mention the various ways you have heard of as there is rarely a "best" way to do anything; every way has advantages and disadvantages.

But the "best" way may be to try to find a shop that does porcelaining. Porcelain coatings are not paint; they are more like a glass melted on to the cast iron at very high temperature, and they are something that only a porcelain coater can do. Any paint of any type will be less satisfactory than the melted porcelain frit. Thanks.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
March 10, 2011

Q. I am looking for the same long term solution for restoring my cast irons sinks and tubs from an early 70s home. Did you find a better solution than the epoxy method? Thanks in advance.

Terrie Rassweiler
- Davie, Florida, USA
March 2, 2015

A. For actual (real) re-porcelaining, I think you should check out Custom Ceramic, www.customceramic.com

More information can be found online, but here is one that is helpful:
retrorenovation.com/2011/09/06/real-porcelain-enamel-coating-to-restore-your-drainboard-sink-tub-or-stove/

This is probably one of your only options if you want a new and true porcelain finish.

Burt Feggs
- New York, New York
November 9, 2015

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