How to: Refinish a Sink
Give an old bathtub or sink a new lease on life with a resurfacing kit. Follow these step-by-step directions and learn what materials and tools you need.
Materials Required
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Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit
Comet
LimeAway
Abrasive scouring pad
Household bleach
Wet/dry sandpaper
Tack rag
Patching compound
Lacquer thinner
Tools Required
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Scraper
Varnish paint brush
How To: Step by Step
Step 1: Clean the surface of the sink
Scrub the surface with an abrasive pad and a combination of Comet and LimeAway to remove dirt, grease, mold, oil, soap film and hard water deposits. If there are patches of mildew, use a solution of bleach and water and repeat if necessary. Rinse thoroughly with water. This process will create a slightly porous surface, which will guarantee a better adhesion of the epoxy.
Step 2: Remove caulk and repair chipped areas
Use a scraper to remove any caulk around the fixtures of the sink and patch any chips or dents with a filler compound such as Liquid Steel.
Step 3: Clean the area surrounding the sink
Thoroughly clean the floors and walls around the sink so there's no chance of dust or dirt getting into the epoxy.
Step 4: Sand
Use #400/600 wet/dry sandpaper to smooth the surface and then rinse thoroughly with water to remove any residue.
Step 5: Wipe down with a tack rag and prepare the mixture
Wipe down the surface with a tack rag so the epoxy has a flawless surface to bond to. Pour the activator into the base can and mix according to the directions.
Step 6: Apply a first and second coat
Apply two coatings with a fine bristle varnish brush, allowing it to dry at least one hour between applications. Brush the mixture on in one direction and feather the edges as you paint to avoid a hard line between painted areas. Don't worry if bubbles rise to the surface. As the mixture levels out, the bubbles will disappear. You can apply a third coat if necessary on the next day. It dries to the touch in less than one hour and to handle in 3 hours. But don't expose it to water for at least three days or 72 hours after the last application.
Step 7: Clean up
Clean all painting tools and any paint spills immediately with lacquer thinner.