Porcelain enamel fixtures and appliances can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear, but inevitably something is going to scratch or ding the surface. Repair kits are available to help you repair porcelain enamel scratches and dents. These porcelain enamel repairs are simple to make. If you need to refinish porcelain enamel, the process takes a bit longer to accomplish, but it's still possible for a do-it-yourselfer to achieve professional-looking results.
Instructions
Minor Repairs
1. Wash the surface of the area where you need to make the porcelain enamel repairs. Allow the area to dry completely.
2. Shake or stir the bottle of repair glaze in the kit. Brush the glaze over the scratch or ding you are repairing. Allow the first coat to dry. Apply a second coat and let it dry, as well.
3. Use the small piece of fine-grit sandpaper in the kit to remove any rough edges on the glaze. Buff the surface with a soft cloth.
Refinish Porcelain Enamel
4. Sand the item you are refinishing with fine-grit sandpaper. Use a palm sander to help the process go a bit faster. You aren't removing all of the sink or tub's surface, just creating a roughened one so the refinishing compound has something to adhere to.
5. Clean the porcelain surface you are repairing with bathroom cleaner. Rinse well with clean water. Allow the surface to dry completely.
6. Cover any surfaces you don't plan to paint with plastic sheeting. Tape the sheeting in place with masking tape.
7. Pour some acrylic bonding agent into a spray bottle. Lightly mist the entire surface with the bonding agent and allow it to dry for at least five minutes.
8. Stir acrylic primer according to package directions. Pour the primer into the pot of a spray gun.
9. Coat the entire surface with one coat of primer. Avoid overlapping spray patterns to keep the primer from dripping. Release the trigger at the end of each pass with the spray nozzle. Allow the first coat of primer to dry at least 30 minutes.
10. Give the sink or tub a second coat of primer. Allow it to dry an additional 30 minutes. Clean the primer out of the painter when you finish this step.
11. Mix acrylic paint suitable for coating porcelain surfaces according to package directions. Add it to the sprayer's paint pot.
12. Spray the surface with the paint. Allow the paint to dry 30 minutes. Repeat with a second and third coat of paint, allowing each coat to dry 30 minutes. Allow the refinished surface to cure 24 to 48 hours before getting it wet.
Tips Warnings
Practice using the spray gun outside on a piece of scrap lumber before using it inside on your porcelain repair project.
Work in a well-ventilated room as you perform the steps in this project.
