It was suggested that I post this question here after I posted it on Cooks Talk: We have a 50 plus year old house with the original porcelain over cast iron tub and double sink. I would like to resurface them instead of replacing them. The porcelain on the floor of the tub has been abraded over the years and no amount of elbow grease can fix it.
The double sink is a beauty: one bowl is shallow, 8 inches deep and the other is 12+ inches deep. There are a few chips in it and rust rings. I would just like to see it whole again since I can’t afford to replace it in kind, if it were possible.
Is this worth doing?
Thanks!
mimi
Replies
If you have priced the costs for old sinks and tubs, you will find it worthwhile to resurface the ones you have. There are several methods that are used in refinishing. Some use acids and others use bonding agents. In essence, the resurfacing is actually a paint, not porcelain. It's not going to last the 75 years the porcelain will, but pulling out the fixtures and sending them off for new porcelain is a very expensive project. The refinishers often have the fixtures ready to go in 24 hours, without removal. Here is a link to one company that has services available in most states.
http://www.miraclemethod.com/MM_PP747/restoration.shtml
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
There are now some DIY kits that are pretty good. How good a job a pro outfit does depends a lot on how thorough they are with prep, and the same company can send out a workaholic old geezer or a wet-behind-the-ears kid with a boombox rivited to his shoulder, so often referrals aren't sufficient.But when it's good it's real good.Sending stuff out is also an option, especially for sinks and good-quality claw-foot tubs. This may be true re-glazing, or just a good shop job of the epoxy paint, depending on where you send it and how much you pay.
I'm more worried about the inexperienced wasting money, thanks!
mimi"Every child can learn, just not all on the same day in the same way."
Thanks, a very informative site!
mimi"Every child can learn, just not all on the same day in the same way."