The DIYers guide on porcelain sink repair

Porcelain sinks may be beautiful, but they’re delicate and can be prone to chips and cracks. Thankfully, this is easily fixed: we’ll teach you everything you need to know about DIY porcelain sink repair.

• Got a crack in your ceramic sink?
• Porcelain sink chip repair with epoxy putty
• Repairing chipped enamel sinks with epoxy glue

Got a crack in your ceramic sink?

On the upside, porcelain sinks are easy to clean and add elegance to any bathroom. But on the downside, the brittle material is delicate and can be prone to chips and cracks. How to fix a chipped porcelain sink depends on whether you have a cast iron porcelain sink or a solid porcelain sink.

If you have a cast iron porcelain sink you’ll need to tend to the chip right away. If you allow the cast iron underneath the ceramic surface to come in contact with water, it’ll quickly rust, causing damage to your sink.

If you have a solid porcelain sink and you’ve still got the piece (or pieces), you should be able to repair it with an epoxy glue. Read on to find out how to fix both types of chipped porcelain sinks.

Porcelain sink chip repair with epoxy putty

Epoxy putty is ideal for porcelain sink chip repair thanks to its gap-filling properties, paintability, and long-lasting, durable seal that stands the test of time. Here’s what to do:

1. Clean and dry the porcelain sink.
2. Cut the desired amount of putty epoxy according to the product description with a spackling knife. 
3. Wearing protective gloves, knead the putty for approximately 1 minute (or until you achieve a uniform color)
4. Apply the putty to the affected area of the porcelain sink, working it into the cavity with the putty knife to ensure it’s smooth and evenly distributed. 
5. Dip your finger in warm soapy water and rub the area until the patch is smooth and molded perfectly.
6. Allow to cure for 15-60 minutes (according to product instructions) before sanding.
7. Sand the area lightly until smooth. 
8. If necessary, apply porcelain touch-up paint to the area and allow it to dry.

Repairing chipped enamel sinks with epoxy glue

If you’re repairing a solid ceramic sink and have the chipped piece (or pieces) on hand, try using Loctite Epoxy Quick Set. Its tough, water-resistant formula is perfect for repairing porcelain sinks and dries in just 5 minutes. Here’s how to use it:

1. Lightly sand the area around the chip or crack.
2. Clean the sink and ensure it’s clean and dry.
3. Depress the plunger of Loctite Epoxy Quick Set to dispense equal amounts of hardener and resin directly onto the porcelain surface to be bonded.
4. Remove and discard the nozzle and wipe the syringe tip immediately, retracting the plunger slightly before closing it with the cap provided.
5. Press the broken piece onto the ceramic sink firmly in place. The adhesive should set in 40 to 60 seconds at 20°C to 25°C.
6. Clean any excess adhesive immediately using mineral spirits.

Your repaired porcelain sink should be able to be used within 5-10 minutes (warmer temperatures will shorten the set time and cooler temperatures will lengthen it).