We have an old enamel-coated sink in the basement, and it’s obviously been used for paint cleanup & more by some very sloppy people (!). I was able to use denatured alcohol & coarse steel wool to get some of the edges & exterior cleaned up and back to the enamel shine, however I worry that the bowls of the sink are beyond saving. Something caustic that looks like it was allowed to sit in those sinks appears to have ruined the enamel on both sides.
I’d like to use the steel wool/alcohol/elbow grease to get as much of the coated-on stuff removed as possible- is this a good method? Is there something else that will work better?
If the enamel is indeed ruined, is there any way at all to fix it? Some kind of paint or coating or something to restore a clean-looking finish (and also allow it to be used)?
I worry that the answer is no, but I know next to nothing about old enamel sinks.
You can refinish the sink yourself, but the devil is in the details - excellent, meticulous, fastidious prep is vital.
For around $45 or so, you can pick up a “tub and tile” refinishing kit - the main ingredient is an epoxy spray paint. You just have to follow the directions to the letter - the surface must be filled in if chipped or cracked, sanded glass-smooth, degreased and de-dusted. Pay attention to weather conditions as well - if it’s too humid or too chilly, the stuff may not cure well, or it will take longer than normal.
Since the OP has been answered, I hope he won’t mind a piggyback question.
What about an old enamel sink that’s only *slightly *trashed? It’s my first enamel sink, in an apartment, and I’m afraid my stainless pots and pans have taken their toll on it. At least, I think that’s what’s doing it. It’s a tiny sink, so things get banged around as I wash them, and now there are little grey trails on the ivory enamel, sort of like pencil marks. They don’t have any texture, so I don’t think they’re actual scratches (or if they are, they’re so shallow I can’t feel them). Is there any cleaning tool or technique that will get them off?
I have an answer for that one: Bar Keeper’s Friend and just a little bit of light elbow grease! BKF is like Comet (powder) but without the bleach (wear gloves tho- that stuff trashes my hands). I use it to polish my All Clad pots and scrub the sink.
The same thing happens on Fiesta ware dishes…from the knives and forks…go figure and I use Bar Keepers friend on it as well.It works well except on the white dish I can’t get it all off.
