Perhaps you have an old chipped and stained sink, and you’re wondering, can you paint a bathroom sink? It is possible, but there is a reason why you don’t often see homeowners refinishing bathroom sinks. It takes quite a bit of time; can be messy; and requires a variety of tools, supplies and skills to get the job done right. Most paints won’t adhere well to an unprepared ceramic sink, which means you will need to do some extensive prep work. You will also need a special painting kit.
Can You Paint a Sink Bowl?
Still want to learn, can you paint your bathroom sink? Read below for instructions. Step 1: Preparing the Area Can you paint a vanity sink? As discussed above, yes. That said, you’ll need to fully prepare the area. Start by thoroughly scrubbing the sink. Use a descaling cleaner or rust remover to get rid of stains. With a caulk tool, remove the caulk that seals the sink to the countertop. Last, clear the bathroom of towels, toilet paper and other items that will collect a lot of dust during the next steps. Put plastic sheeting over the doorway, your vanity and any cabinets to protect them — and their contents — from dust. Step 2: Remove All Plumbing Many DIYers attempt to skip this step, but in the next steps, you’ll be sanding and painting. It’s easy to accidentally sand and ruin the stainless steel finish on your drain or faucet, or to get some paint on these appliances. Make sure that the water is shut off leading to the faucet. Then, using channel lock pliers and wrenches, remove the drain assembly and the faucet from the sink. Step 3: Sanding the Sink The next part of the process is to sand the sink. For this, you’ll need a respirator and safety glasses to keep the dust out of your eyes and lungs. Use 400- to 600-grit wet/dry sandpaper with a small electric sander that will fit into the sink’s contours. The key here is to roughen the surface so that it’s no longer shiny, but has a dull finish. In some spots, you may have to sand by hand if you can’t fit an electric sander around the contours. Creating this dull texture is essential to help the fresh paint stick without sticking or bubbling. Step 4: Paint With a Refinishing Kit Ceramic and porcelain require specialized paints, so you’ll need a refinishing kit to paint your sink properly. Start by using a ceramic or porcelain repair kit to patch any chipped areas on your sink. Once the patches are dry, follow the instructions on the refinishing kit to mix the paint, which usually comes in a two-part solution. Apply it using a small roller and a small foam brush. Let the paint dry for about an hour, then give it a second coat to make sure the finish is even and opaque. Step 5: Finishing Follow package recommendations to see how long it will take for the paint to fully cure. Often, you’ll need to wait at least three days before you can use the sink. While waiting, pick up plastic sheeting and drop cloths, and begin the process of removing dust from the bathroom. Once the paint is cured, you can reinstall the faucet and drain, and you can also place new caulk around the sink to keep it sealed to the countertop. Hopefully this has answered your question, “Can I paint my bathroom sink?” If you’ve decided that replacement is the right way to go rather than repainting, find your perfect sink at Modern Bathroom!