One of our sinks has a quarter-sized irregular chip in it from when
somehone presumably dropped a sharp object in the sink.

We would prefer to patch it ourselves rather than investing in
something like a full reglazing which would involve removing the sink,
etc.

Googling, I have seen various patch kits offered on the
Internet. Couple of questions though:

- What have been people's experience with these mixtures of putties
and sprays? How noticeable is the patch when you are done? Are some
products particularly recommendable?

- Most of the products seem to only come in white/almond/bone. We have
an old "swiss chocolate" colored sink. Do you know of any sources of
such less standard colors? Alternatively, is there a way to add
pigment to match the color?

Thanks

blueman wrote:
One of our sinks has a quarter-sized irregular chip in it from when
somehone presumably dropped a sharp object in the sink.

We would prefer to patch it ourselves rather than investing in
something like a full reglazing which would involve removing the sink,
etc.

Googling, I have seen various patch kits offered on the
Internet. Couple of questions though:

- What have been people's experience with these mixtures of putties
and sprays? How noticeable is the patch when you are done? Are some
products particularly recommendable?

- Most of the products seem to only come in white/almond/bone. We have
an old "swiss chocolate" colored sink. Do you know of any sources of
such less standard colors? Alternatively, is there a way to add
pigment to match the color?

Thanks

The best ones use some sort of two-part epoxy paint. I've never been able to
get a really good match, even with something as simple as white (the color
drifts over time). A real paint store might be able to pigment an epoxy paint
to the proper color, but without pulling the sink (so they can scan a "chip"),
the match ain't going to be very good.

I can pretty much guarantee that replacing the sink (preferably with a real
porcelain sink, instead of the current steel sink) would be the lowest-hassle
solution -- what you're doing is at best a band-aid. If you're trying to keep
with the same color scheme, 'tho, it ain't going to be particularly cheap.

blueman wrote:
One of our sinks has a quarter-sized irregular chip in it from when
somehone presumably dropped a sharp object in the sink.

We would prefer to patch it ourselves rather than investing in
something like a full reglazing which would involve removing the sink,
etc.

Googling, I have seen various patch kits offered on the
Internet. Couple of questions though:

- What have been people's experience with these mixtures of putties
and sprays? How noticeable is the patch when you are done? Are some
products particularly recommendable?

- Most of the products seem to only come in white/almond/bone. We have
an old "swiss chocolate" colored sink. Do you know of any sources of
such less standard colors? Alternatively, is there a way to add
pigment to match the color?

Thanks

It this sink 100% porcelain or is it coated metal?

My experience with coated metal with chips is to give it up and buy a
real 100% porcelain sink. The builder put cheap ones in my home of 12
years. So far I have replaced three of four of them and the only remaining
one gets little wear, but I expect to be replacing it before long as well.

Now my tub did get a couple of chips and the repair I did on it is still
lasting 12 years later and looks good. I used the same materials on all the
projects.


--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

"Joseph Meehan" writes:
It this sink 100% porcelain or is it coated metal?

I believe it is 100%. The gouges are pretty deep (1/8") and no sign of
metal. Also underside seems to be corrugated and not metal.

My experience with coated metal with chips is to give it up and buy a
real 100% porcelain sink. The builder put cheap ones in my home of 12
years. So far I have replaced three of four of them and the only remaining
one gets little wear, but I expect to be replacing it before long as well.


The argument against replacing is that it is one of a pair of matched
sinks plus also matches the bathtub, toilet, and tiles. Plus, I
believe color is no longer actively in production.

Now my tub did get a couple of chips and the repair I did on it is still
lasting 12 years later and looks good. I used the same materials on all the
projects.

What materials did you use?

blueman wrote:
"Joseph Meehan" writes:

It this sink 100% porcelain or is it coated metal?


I believe it is 100%. The gouges are pretty deep (1/8") and no sign of
metal. Also underside seems to be corrugated and not metal.

Could be enamel coated cast iron sinks like Kohler makes. In my opinion
they were and still are the best quality fixtures made. If they were
just painted steel you'd know it because gouges that deep would reveal
the steel. It's easy to tell by tapping on the sink bowl with your
knuckle. If it's a dull sound, it's cast. If it's steel it will
produce a tinny sound.



The argument against replacing is that it is one of a pair of matched
sinks plus also matches the bathtub, toilet, and tiles. Plus, I
believe color is no longer actively in production.


Understandable. Perhaps you may want to contact one of the professional
outfits that recoat them and see if they''ll fill the gouges.

G Henslee writes:
blueman wrote:
"Joseph Meehan" writes:

It this sink 100% porcelain or is it coated metal?
I believe it is 100%. The gouges are pretty deep (1/8") and no sign
of
metal. Also underside seems to be corrugated and not metal.

Could be enamel coated cast iron sinks like Kohler makes. In my
opinion they were and still are the best quality fixtures made. If
they were just painted steel you'd know it because gouges that deep
would reveal the steel. It's easy to tell by tapping on the sink bowl
with your knuckle. If it's a dull sound, it's cast. If it's steel it
will produce a tinny sound.

Sounds like cast iron, then...

The argument against replacing is that it is one of a pair of matched
sinks plus also matches the bathtub, toilet, and tiles. Plus, I
believe color is no longer actively in production.


Understandable. Perhaps you may want to contact one of the
professional outfits that recoat them and see if they''ll fill the
gouges.

Good idea, though would this still require removing the sink or do
they make house calls?

blueman wrote:
G Henslee writes:

blueman wrote:

"Joseph Meehan" writes:


It this sink 100% porcelain or is it coated metal?

I believe it is 100%. The gouges are pretty deep (1/8") and no sign
of
metal. Also underside seems to be corrugated and not metal.

Could be enamel coated cast iron sinks like Kohler makes. In my
opinion they were and still are the best quality fixtures made. If
they were just painted steel you'd know it because gouges that deep
would reveal the steel. It's easy to tell by tapping on the sink bowl
with your knuckle. If it's a dull sound, it's cast. If it's steel it
will produce a tinny sound.


Sounds like cast iron, then...

The argument against replacing is that it is one of a pair of matched
sinks plus also matches the bathtub, toilet, and tiles. Plus, I
believe color is no longer actively in production.


Understandable. Perhaps you may want to contact one of the
professional outfits that recoat them and see if they''ll fill the
gouges.


Good idea, though would this still require removing the sink or do
they make house calls?

No removal. They do the process in place.

blueman wrote:
"Joseph Meehan" writes:
It this sink 100% porcelain or is it coated metal?

I believe it is 100%. The gouges are pretty deep (1/8") and no sign of
metal. Also underside seems to be corrugated and not metal.

My experience with coated metal with chips is to give it up and
buy a real 100% porcelain sink. The builder put cheap ones in my
home of 12 years. So far I have replaced three of four of them and
the only remaining one gets little wear, but I expect to be
replacing it before long as well.


The argument against replacing is that it is one of a pair of matched
sinks plus also matches the bathtub, toilet, and tiles. Plus, I
believe color is no longer actively in production.

Now my tub did get a couple of chips and the repair I did on it
is still lasting 12 years later and looks good. I used the same
materials on all the projects.

What materials did you use?

Just a small bottle of paint sold for that use. I suspect it was
slightly formulated special for the use. As I recall the manufacturer had
several colors and recommended mixing them if needed.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math