(Updated June 10, 2014 – originally published December 2012)
Nothing says ‘country decor’ more than a vintage cast iron sink. Except maybe a log cabin. Or a big pick-up truck. But nothing says ‘botulism’ or some other sort of nasty bacterial infection more than a vintage cast iron sink that’s been scratched and chipped and generally uncared for to the point where you couldn’t get it clean except with something toxic.
When we moved into our little cabin in the woods, it came with a vintage but less than pristine sink that had been ‘refinished’ with one of those paint on do-it-yourself kits a number of years previous. The paint had started to peel and over 3 years of daily use, it didn’t exactly get better. So while we were building an addition to the cabin, and it was warm enough out that we could open the windows to let the smell of aircraft paint out, the timing was perfect to get it refinished.
As usual, I did a whole bunch of research before we decided on a plan of attack. In the process, I discovered that you’ve really only got three options to repair a vintage cast iron sink that’s seen better days:
- Remove it and have it re-enameled professionally. Pro: you get a high quality, baked on finish that will last and won’t chip under normal use. Cons: You’re without your sink for days to weeks, plus you have to have a company local that does this sort work – you don’t want to be shipping a cast iron sink.
- Buy one of those paint-on kits and do it yourself. Pro: inexpensive and your sink stays in place. Cons: It’s really difficult to get a smooth finish, you have to prep the surface well beforehand, and the paint will scratch and peel relatively easily.
- Replace it with new. Pro: You get a brand new sink. Cons: Sinks that reflect the same sort of look as a vintage cast iron sink run from $600 and up (based on the research I did at the time). Even a professionally re-enameled sink starts at about $400 and up, depending on the style. Ones like ours with a built-in drainboard started at about $650 for a restored vintage version.
- Hire a professional to refinish it in place with quality materials. Pro: Your sink stays in place (you can use it after about 3 or 4 hours), it costs less than purchasing a similar sink new or refinished, and the finish is of higher quality than the DIY kits.
We decided on #4. And am I ever glad we did…
Now, trying to find a sink and tub refinisher in a small town isn’t exactly an easy feat, but we lucked out and found a refinishing pro right here in our little town. He showed up one Friday morning with all his gear in tow and after about 3 hours and a lot of masking tape, the sink turned out almost like new.
The trick now is how to keep it that way.
Refinished Cast Iron Sink Care Tips from the Pros
- Get something to protect the bottom of the sink – A silicon mat will work, or do what we did and order these polyethylene dish washing/rinsing bins from Ikea. Depending on the size and style of your sink, they can work brilliantly to protect your sink surface and save water at the same time. Plus they look nicer than the ones you can buy at the drug store (I did that for awhile – these look much nicer). Note on these: They look great, but they don’t last very long before they crack. I’m on my 4th set. Tip to make them last longer: never lift them out of the sink with dishes inside!
- Keep sharp utensils from roughly hitting the surface – A silicone mat will help with this, but the plastic bins work better. I’ve already taken a chip out of the finish by letting a knife fall hard into the sink.
- Watch the water temperature – If your hot water temperature is excessively hot like ours, you’ll want to make note: it was advised that we start filling the sink with warm water first and gradually increase the hot, or use bins (which is what we ended up doing). Like glass or other surfaces, the new painted surface of a refinished cast iron sink can be ‘shocked’ and develop hairline cracks if really hot water is poured suddenly into a cold sink, or vice versa. And hairline cracks are just the beginning stage of peeling.
- Wash the sink with a soft brush and plain dish soap – Don’t use anything abrasive or caustic or you’ll damage the surface. If you make sure to rinse the sink out and give it a little scrub with soap and water regularly, it won’t stain and you won’t need abrasives.
And that’s about it! With a bit of forethought and a lot of care, you can have essentially a brand new sink for much less than new. And you get to keep that fabulous vintage look in your rural home.
Sink Update: June 2014
So it’s been a year and a half since we had the sink refinished. How’s it holding up, you ask? Well, it still looks pretty good, though it’s no longer pristine. We’ve had a few chips caused by dropping utensils on the surface, or a fork slipping under the rinsing tubs and scratching the surface. Plus it stains, and I’ve had to bleach it a handful of times. The verdict: While it was less expensive than buying a new sink, or having it professionally enameled (by removing it and sending it away for a baked on finish), I’m not sure I’d go this route again for a kitchen sink. Long term, I think it would be less costly, and well worth taking it to a professional refinisher and having it baked on.
Do you have any other tips to share on caring for a cast iron sink? If so, let us know in the comments below!
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I use a large stainless steel bowl in our kitchen sink for washing and rinsing smaller things like silverware and bowls. Have you looked into finding stainless steel pans to replace the throw-away Ikea plastic containers?
The only problem is that the stainless will scratch the paint in the sink. Next time I think I’d have it done properly, where they take it out and redo the porcelain. The paint scratches really easily… 🙁
Hey just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting this info. I’m looking for an antique cast iron sink for my remodel (fixing a 1960s abomination in a 1740s rowhouse!). I’ve never had an antique sink before nor had anything refinished, so had no idea what was involved in restoring or buying one that had been “refurbished” already with any of the more modern chemical approaches (vs new enamel). The fact that you took the time to share your personal experience likely saved me a couple hundred bucks. You’re the best!
🙂 You’re welcome. Unfortunately the painted surface hasn’t held up very well – it’s starting to chip, but we did get 3 years out of it before it started failing. Of course, if I didn’t drop sharp knives into it, it might have lasted longer…
When you suggest option #1, remove and have a professional baked-on enamel, are you suggesting sandblasting and a new porcelain finish? In have found only one reference to a company in IL. We have a gorgeous big farm sink and considering removing it and having it re-done professionally by a refinished (epoxy). Thanks for your great article and advice!!
Yes, correct. It’s a huge hassle, though, and I’m loathe to do rip out the sink and be without it for weeks, but the painted on finish, even the professional version, just doesn’t hold up – at least not in our case. Let us know how your sink turns out!
What type of professional should I look for ?
We live on the East coast of Canada on a small island Deer Island in the Bay of FUndy – the province of NB. We have a very old sink double bowl and double drain boards. The interesting think about this sink is that the taps are on an angle – we have been unable to find any so my husband, Jim, has made an angle piece of wood that the modern taps can sit on. Our sink is terribly stained but I love it – I think I will try to DIM and if I get a couple of years that would be great. Any tips or advice would be great. If you would like a picture I would love to share.
That sink sounds amazing! Double drainboards… nice! As for tips, the paint job we had done just hasn’t held up terribly well. I’m in the process of seeing if there’s another process we can do that would last longer, without having to remove it (it weighs a tonne!). Would love to see a photo of your lovely sink – you can post in the FB group (can’t attach photos in the comments, unfortunately), or email via the contact form on the website. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hello Heidi, Woodstock NB here. I have the same sink as you have, double sink with double drain boards. If you find someone that re finishes these please let me know. Thanks
I am glad that I have someone else experiencing the same results of “refinishing”. We have had our sink in for about 6 months and have 2 chips in it already – We use the sink daily and like you said, the pristine look has faded in the washing portion. I agree that as a long term solution, I would pick a different option.
I have refinished many vintage cast iron leg tubs and farmhouse sinks. The finish on the tubs has lasted up to 20 years with proper care, no harsh abrasives. I recommend Soft Scrub or Scrubbing Bubbles and wiping down after each use as to not allow the buildup of hard water and soap scum that would require scrubbing to remove. As for the sinks just common sense is the only thing that will ensure the finish will last. but with care the finish has held up for 10 years and still looks good.
Great to know. I know I’m replying VERY late, but if by some chance you see this, wondering if you might be willing to share what you used? I find the kitchen sink just takes a lot of wear and tear which chips and accidentally dropping knives, etc. that then mar the finish. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I have a cast iron vanity sink finished in an “Old World Bronze” finish, not enameled. Do you know how I can remove the white hard water stains, and then what I should use to refinish it that is easy to clean?
Great question. I need to get my sink redone again (about to update this article), so maybe I’ll do a full article on cast iron sinks in general and include this question. Thanks for asking it… I’ve added it to my list!
Has any one tried any products ment to be used on auto repaint jobs, to make the finish impervious to wear. I’m thinking spray enameled re finishes. Bathroom sinks.
Thanks for your question! We had ours done with (apparently) aircraft quality paint. But I’m not overly convinced that was the case, as it didn’t last long. I’m curious what others are using too.
Im just finishing a professional reno with a high end Manhattan contractor who talked me into enamaling my original 1918 porcelain sinks and tub. They just painted on the enamel. Did not mention until today that care has to be taken setting or leaving things on the sinks or the side of the tub. Im fairly angry and regretting having lost the beautiful crackling of the antique porcelain, plus its durability, for someone else’s idea of perfection that apparently has to be treated with kid gloves. And they had 6 months to do it so they could have baked the enamel as they had the sinks out of the bathrooms anyway.
I’m so sorry that happened to you! It’s definitely a huge learning curve, figuring out what the best option is. For us, after having the sink done, 5 years later it needs to be done again. So for $350 that works out to $70 a year, but I’d have preferred a more resilient finish. So yes, I can commmiserate! Disappointing… 🙁
This is amazing! I love that you’re restoring an old cast iron sink rather than just buying a new one! Fantastic resource!!
If you use the new ekopel epoxy kits, it goes on so thick that you “should” be be able to buff out any discolorations. Read, read, read, instructions. Pay attention to temperature of epoxy, room, and sink. Doesn’t stink at all. Goes on so thick, be careful of your drainboard grooves.
Thank you for the advice! I’m about to redo it again… 😉
Thank you for your article. I just restored a 1950s iron sink (1 bowl and 1 drainboard) and just had it reglazed professionally with porcelain paint. It already has one scratch and its not even mounted. I was wondering if powder coating was a better option since its iron and not porcelain. Have you looked into that option? Thank you.