How to repair a chip on a sink

Over time, the enamel surface may become covered with a web of small cracks. And sometimes, by an absurd accident, even on a new sink, a sharp chip may appear due to carelessness.

If the damage is minor, then you don’t have to rush to the store for new plumbing equipment. It will be easier (and cheaper) to fix the problem yourself.

What you need to fix a chip on your sink

Before starting the procedure, you need to thoroughly prepare in advance. It is possible that you will have to purchase some materials. However, in most cases, these expenses will be significantly less than those that would be spent on purchasing and installing a new device.

So, first you need to prepare the surface. To do this, you will need cleaning and degreasing agents, possibly a small brush. You may also need a hair dryer to dry the chip safely and quickly.

If you wipe it with a dry cloth or towel, small lint or threads may remain on top, which will definitely interfere in the future. In addition, be sure to keep fine-grained sandpaper on hand for sanding. After preparation, the painting itself will require putty and a spatula, and then paint (enamel), which is best applied not with a brush, but with a sprayer.

How to repair a chip on a sink made of various materials

In general, the bowl restoration algorithm is the same for all materials. The only difference is in the composition of the products that will need to be used.

The most common sinks are made of artificial stone, ceramics and enamel.

Artificial stone (porcelain tiles)

To work with this composition (mineral sand, epoxy resin, dye), it is recommended to purchase a special adhesive-mastic or the same epoxy. Just look carefully at the label. It often indicates that the product hardens within 5-6 minutes, which imposes certain restrictions on work.

Attention! The stone is “afraid” of methylene chloride, which is usually found in solvents such as white spirit and acetone. Therefore, it is better to degrease it with ordinary ethyl alcohol.

Ceramics

It is always recommended to replace this material completely, despite the inconvenience of the entire operation. Just like earthenware and ceramic products, it is quite difficult to restore it after chipping, and leaving it as is is very dangerous, because the edges turn out to be sharp.

However, if the damage is very small, then use regular mastic or putty.

Enamel

Scratches on such a surface are fraught with corrosion and premature wear of the material underneath. Most often it is metal, and therefore water getting into even the smallest crack is fraught with major troubles.

For restoration, ordinary car enamel comes in handy. It will easily fill narrow gaps and lie flat. The only thing you need to remember when working with such a composition is that it will take much longer to dry completely than with mastic. Recovery may take more than 24 hours.

Sink restoration process

There is a whole step-by-step algorithm that will help you deal with the problem yourself.

1. Remove dirt, dust, rust. An aggressive chemical, such as Sanox, alcohol or baking soda, can help deal with the latter. You can quickly dry the chip with a hairdryer.
2. Clean and polish the surface with fine-grit sandpaper.
3. Mix the putty with the hardener in the proportion indicated on the package or prepare a specialized sealant. Next, use a spatula to apply the product to the desired location. If the crack is very deep, then use several layers.
4. Wait until it dries completely and sand the surface again. Make sure that the joint is not noticeable and tangible. After that, remove the dust again and use a hairdryer.
5. Cover the restored area with several layers of enamel (or waterproof and heat-resistant paint). Moreover, it is better to take a two-minute break between each staining.
6. Leave the sink to dry. You will be able to use it in about 4-5 days.

If you strictly follow these instructions, the restoration will be successful, and you will not have to spend money on the services of a master, or even more so on purchasing a new structure.

How to prevent chipping

First of all, of course, it must be said that you should not drop heavy or sharp objects into the plumbing product or hit it with pots, pans, etc. But such situations are sometimes difficult to foresee.

But you can take care of another important point. Enameled surfaces always crack when in contact with boiling water. Therefore, you should think twice before pouring freshly boiled water into the sink.

If you still need to do this urgently, then at least turn on the cold water first to mix the liquids and normalize the overall temperature. This method will save you from overheating and further cracking of the surface, but it is not recommended to abuse it.

With proper care, the sink will not give you any worries. But even if a minor problem occurs, you can always deal with it on your own.