How to Refinish an Antique Bathroom Sink

Antique bathroom sinks, like antique bathroom tubs, are generally cast iron bodies covered with a porcelain surface that is baked on. That surface can wear down over the years, leaving it looking dull and dingy. You can't bake on new porcelain, but you can revitalize the porcelain with special primer and enamel paint. This requires deglossing the previous surface in order to make the new paint stick. See your local refinisher for the correct chemicals and equipment.

Adjustable wrench
Screwdriver
Painter’s tape
Plastic tarps
Respirator (with face mask)
Long rubber gloves
Paintbrush
Porcelain etching solution (hydrofluoric acid)
Paint sprayer
Porcelain primer
Enamel topcoat

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the sink fixtures with your wrench and screwdriver. Put painter’s tape over any nonporcelain parts that can’t be removed. Spread out plastic tarps around the floor and surrounding walls, taping them up. Put on your respirator and gloves.
- 2
  Spread etching solution over the porcelain surface with a paintbrush, covering all of it in a thick layer. Let it work for 15 minutes, dulling the porcelain surface. Rinse well.
- 3
  Load the paint sprayer with porcelain primer. Spray it over the sink in a light, thin layer. Keep the spray gun moving at all times to avoid drips.
- 4
  Let the primer set four hours. Spray on a second coat. Let it dry 12 hours.
- 5
  Load the paint sprayer with enamel topcoat. Spray over the sink in a light, thin coat as before, keeping the sprayer moving.
- 6
  Let the enamel dry for four hours. Spray on a second layer. Let it dry four hours. Spray on a third layer. Continue until you have the look you want.
- 7
  Let the final coat of enamel set for 48 hours before reinstalling the sink fixtures.

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