Porcelain sinks can be a great addition to your bathrooms. They are quite beautiful, but they can also be prone to chipping. Since they are rather expensive, you might not have the money to replace them when they get chipped. But what if you painted them instead? Could that help give them a bit more longevity?
You can definitely paint over a porcelain sink to renew it. Just make sure that you do it the right way. You must use a paint that can adhere to the surface. There are also some preparatory steps that you should take to avoid making a mess. Using this method can make sink replacement less necessary and can be an affordable alternative.
Now that you know that painting a porcelain sink is a possibility, you would definitely want to give it a try. In this article, we are going to be outlining some of the benefits of doing this. We have also included a step by step guide to help you prepare for it. Read on to learn all that you need to know!
Benefits of Painting a Porcelain Sink
- It’s Cost Effective
Porcelain doesn’t come cheap, so the thought of replacing one might just give you a heart attack. Luckily, you can just give the sink a spruce up with some paint! This can make things considerably cheaper which is great for the struggling home owner.
- It Saves You Time
If you were to try to get your old sink replaced, you’d be in for a long and arduous task. First a plumber would have to inspect it. Then, they’d have to remove the entire sink which would leave you sink-less for at least a day! Subsequently, putting the sink back in can take several hours. You can save all this time by just painting it. That way you won’t have to part ways which your old sink either!
- Brings Back the Original Appearance
Let’s face it, porcelain sinks are more than just utilitarian objects. If you picked all of the fixtures and fittings in your home, chances are that the sink would hold a lot of sentimental value. After all, you picked it precisely because you loved how it looked! By giving the sink a paintjob, you can restore it to its former glory in no time. It’ll look just like how it did when you first bought it.
- Lets You Make Aesthetic Changes
Alternatively, painting over your porcelain sink can be great if you want to give it a new look. It’s normal to feel tired of seeing the same old design time and time again. Giving the sink a fresh coat of paint can make it look like an entirely different fixture. That can be great if you want to redecorate but don’t want the hassle or the expense of buying a new sink.
- Improves Property Values
If you’re about to sell your home, it’s pretty likely that you’d want to maximize its value. A repainted sink can be a fast and cheap way to get a bump in the sale price. After all, nothing makes a home seem more appealing to buyers than a lovely bathroom.
Preparation
Before you get started with the paintjob, you need to prepare for it. Here are the steps you should follow:
- Empty Out the Sink
In case you have any items cluttered around your sink, it’s best to start off by removing them. That includes toiletries and any other objects that can get smeared with some amount of paint. If your sink has a plug for the drain, it’s best to detach it. It can get in the way if you leave it there. Also, in case your sink is clogged, try to drain it.
- Clean It
Even if you are really conscientious about cleaning, your sink might still have a layer of it when the time comes to paint it. Make sure that you clean it thoroughly. Otherwise the paint will adhere to the dirt instead of the porcelain which may make it rather brittle.
- Remove the Old Paint
There’s a chance that your sink might already have some paint on it. If that’s the case, you might want to remove it first. Remember that the paint needs to stick to the porcelain itself. If there is anything that acts as a barrier, the paint wouldn’t last nearly as long.
Don’t worry if you can’t get the smooth porcelain back or if the old paint is rough on the surface. That will actually help the paint stick better, and it will cover up the underlying porcelain more effectively.
- Sand It Down
Sanding your porcelain sink down can seem like a huge error because it would ruin the shiny finish. However, this is a necessary step to take if you want to paint it. The glossier the surface is, the harder it would be for paint to stick to it.
By sanding it down, you will create microscopic grooves that the paint can settle into. It will become a lot easier to paint, and fewer layers will be required as well. What’s more, rougher surfaces can result in less drippage which can reduce the mess that would otherwise have been created.
- Add Some Painters Tape
Now that you have gotten your sink ready for painting, it’s time to protect the areas that don’t need any paint on them. The edges of your fixtures such as your faucet can get ruined if paint gets on them. That’s why it’s best to cover them up with painters tape.
This will keep them secure and allow you to paint with abandon instead of having to be overly cautious. An added benefit is that it will give your paint job a much more precise look.
- Cover Up the Floor
Paint dripping onto your bathroom tiles can be a nightmare to clean up. You’d need to use rubbing alcohol to remove the blotches which can make the project take a lot longer to complete. Try to cover up the floor with a plastic sheet. That way, any drips will fall onto the sheet instead of the floor itself. Your floor will be protected and you’d be able to maintain its look instead of worrying about it constantly.
- BONUS STEP: Remove the Hardware/Sink
We know that you might be painting your sink in the interests of saving time, but removing it can still be a useful step to take. Although it may be rather time consuming, it makes up for that by giving you an easier task to handle. If nothing else, consider removing the hardware. It’s easier to paint a sink if the faucet has been removed, after all.
Choosing a Paint
If you want to paint your porcelain, it’s essential that you use the right kind of paint. Porcelain has a very slippery exterior, so loose paints might not stick to it properly. The main thing to look for in a paint is durability. You must avoid using paints that get chipped easily. Peeling is also another thing that you might want to prevent.
Remember that your porcelain sink is one of the most frequently used fixtures in your home. Such heavy usage makes it prone to all sorts of damage, so the paint that you select must measure up to these rigors.
Also, some paints are better at resisting water than others. Since the paint is to be placed on a porcelain sink, it makes sense to opt for a water resistant variant. Dirt exposure is also an important factor to take into consideration. After all, you can’t expect your sink to stay clean if you are washing your dirty hands in it.
Keep all of these things in mind while selecting your ideal paint for porcelain. They can save you a lot of trouble down the line.
Without further ado, here are some paint types that are perfect for touching up a porcelain sink:
- Epoxy paint
Some paints are made with an epoxy base. That makes them dry much faster. Waiting hours and hours for paint to dry can be a real nuisance, but with epoxy paint you’d be able to get things over and done with in about half the time!
- Chalkboard paint
Chalkboard paint is a decidedly unconventional option, but that doesn’t make it unsuitable for this purpose. Indeed, many DIY-ers swear by chalkboard paint because it helps you add some designs to the final layer. Chalkboard paint is especially beneficial if your sink is made of porcelain that hasn’t been glazed.
Additionally, this paint is much cheaper than epoxy paint. That makes it an ideal candidate if you are short on cash.
- Acrylic paint
This option is much more popular than the one mentioned above, and that has a lot to do with its durability. The best paint for porcelain should be resistant to chipping and peeling, and we can think of no better option than acrylic on that front. It’s a tad pricey, but it’s worth it when you consider just how long it can last.
- Gloss enamel
A big part of the aesthetic appeal of porcelain is its glossy finish. Hence, it stands to reason that you’d want to use a paint that will give it a similar type of shape. Gloss enamel is great for this because it is one of the shinier paint variants out there. There’s also the fact that it’s resistant to yellowing. A yellow sink can look dirty even if it’s perfectly hygienic. You can avoid this downside by using gloss enamel.
- Vinyl latex paint
This type of paint is quite similar to acrylic, mostly on the durability front. It’s one of the highest quality types of paint, and it’s offered at a similar price point to acrylic. You also get some solid waterproofing which is extremely useful in this context.
How to Paint a Porcelain Sink
If you have implemented the preparation steps we’ve outlined above, it’s time to get down to the meat of the matter at hand. Follow these steps to properly paint your porcelain sink:
- Put Some Gloves On
A lot of the materials you will be working with can be harmful to your skin. Wear some gloves to protect yourself, otherwise you’ll have to stop halfway through because your skin will start to burn!
- Prime the Surface
Before you can start applying layers of paint to your porcelain sink, it’s essential that you prime it first. The prime acts as a bonding agent between the paint and the porcelain which can give you a smoother finish with each coating
It takes a couple of hours to dry, so make sure you wait that long before adding paint otherwise they’ll get mixed up. Also, remember to mix the primer thoroughly to avoid any chunks or lumps spoiling the finish.
- Apply the First Layer
Once the primer has dried, it’s time to get to painting. The first layer must be applied delicately because it will serve as the foundation for the subsequent layers. Keep it even by using long, gentle brush strokes. It’s best not to get too aggressive otherwise the paint will come off in streaks that would be impossible to remove.
- Wait for It to Dry
Paint takes a long time to dry, and it’s best to give it the appropriate drying time lest you’re forced to start all over again. It generally takes around eight hours for the paint to get dry enough to work with. Once eight hours have elapsed, you can move onto the next step with confidence.
- Apply Further Layers
You can’t just adda single layer of paint and call it quits. It’s best to add multiple layers, otherwise the original colors might peek through. A couple more layers of paint should do the trick. That means that the total project might take you a day or two to get through, after which you can proceed to the final step!
- Final Drying
The hardest part about painting your sink is waiting for all the drying to get done. The final drying period takes the longest. You’d probably need to wait at least twenty four hours. Many DIY-ers assume that the paint is ready once it’s dry to the touch, but it’s still susceptible to abrasions until it cures. That’s why we strongly recommend waiting twenty four hours!
If 24 hours seems like too long of a wait, consider using a heat lamp. It’ll speed things up a long tremendously, and it also makes for a superior cure.
Finishing
Once your paint has finished drying, you might think that it’s all done and dusted. However, there are some finishing steps that you need to take as well. These steps can vary based on the type of sink you have, but they’re all necessary nonetheless.
- Wet Sand the Paint
No matter how carefully you applied the paint, there will still be a bit of unevenness left over. Not to worry, though, because you can just sand it down to finish it off! Wet sanding is the method of choice here, and a thousand grit sandpaper is all you need to get it done.
Focus on areas that aren’t level with the rest of the paint coating, and try to be sparing with the rubs because you don’t want to sand it down too far.
- Apply Sealant
To make your paint truly waterproof, you need to apply a layer of sealant. This serves as a protective barrier that beads up moisture into droplets instead of allowing it to erode the paint. It also helps to give it a mirror shine, one that even the original porcelain won’t measure up to!
- Replace the Hardware
If you followed our advice and removed the fixtures, now is the time to put it all back. It bears mentioning that you should do this only after the paint has fully dried. You don’t want to ruin the coating or get it on the faucets now do you!
- Remove the Tape
This is the final step, after which you can witness the painted porcelain sink in all its glory. There might be some little dabs of paint that snuck in under the tape. Just wipe them up with a bit of paint thinner and you can pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
Conclusion
DIY-ers are often left scratching their heads when they try to paint porcelain. Many of them wonder if it’s even a good idea. As we have clearly demonstrated, painting over your porcelain sink is not just doable, it’s downright easy! It’s highly recommended if you’re trying to revamp your home or put it up for sale.