How To Clean Paint From Porcelain Sink

ChiliJim

unread,

Oct 29, 2000, 4:53:07 PM10/29/00

to

Maybe somebody has the answer to this problem. I have an 88 year old
house with a beautiful porcelain double sink in the kitchen.
Apparently many years ago, in the days of oil paint, someone used the
sink to clean out brushes, as there are very faint paint stains in the
sink bottom. I'm fairly sure it's paint, because the color is the
same as the old paint on the walls, discovered by looking around
electrical boxes, etc. where the old paint still shows.

My question is how to clean the paint off. I have tried cleansers,
paint remover, etc, to no avail. I am hesitant to go the steel wool
or any abrasion route for fear of damaging the porcelain. Can I use
an abrasive without damaging the finish? Or are there any other
suggestions? The sink is otherwise in beautiful shape. I've never
worked with porcelain, so I'm not sure what to try.

Thanks in advance for any help from someone who has experienced this
problem and hopefully already solved it.

Chili Jim

Joseph Meehan

unread,

Oct 29, 2000, 6:04:50 PM10/29/00

to

Maybe someone has some ideas, but I doubt if you are going to get it
out. You might try household bleach.

On the other hand I'll bet the surface of that sink is no longer
really shinny and smooth. It is time to get a pro in and they can
refinish it for you. Quick easy and not too expensive. Notice I did
say professional here.

--
Dia 's Muire duit

Joe M

Pam Niedermayer

unread,

Oct 29, 2000, 8:05:21 PM10/29/00

to

A professional what? Plumber? I'd guess not. Kitchen designer? Probably not. And
on and on.

Reason I ask, I'd like to have such a sink custom built, haven't a clue as to
where to start looking for someone to do it.

Pam

--
Pamela G. Niedermayer
Pinehill Softworks Inc.
600 W. 28th St., Suite 103
Austin, TX 78705
512-236-1677
512-236-8143 fax
http://www.pinehill.com

Ramblin

unread,

Oct 29, 2000, 8:22:39 PM10/29/00

to

If the paint is not removed by paint remover, it must have been down
into the clay - the glaze has apparently worn away. In that case, I
don't know what would remove it. Perhaps application of lacquer remover
just lightly with a rag? I would be careful about not letting any go
down the plumbing, as it might damage plastic pipe. Never experienced
that problem, so don't know what else might work. Any caustic might
erode the porcelain more and not likely to remove paint.

Joseph Meehan

unread,

Oct 30, 2000, 5:23:58 AM10/30/00

to

A professional what? Plumber?

Check the yellow pages. They will be listed under different
headings in different cities, but look under painters. They are
appliance refinishes or bath refinishes. The just do this type of work
and are very specialized. There are a couple of systems (franchises)
out there.

Pam Niedermayer

unread,

Oct 30, 2000, 6:33:39 AM10/30/00

to

Thanks, Joe, back to the search.

Pam

--

Pat Strong

unread,

Nov 4, 2000, 3:00:00 AM11/4/00

to

ChiliJim wrote:

A paste of paint stripper shouldn't hurt porcelain. Try that. Let it sit
under plastic wrap so it really saturates overnight.

Pat

Pat Strong

unread,

Nov 4, 2000, 3:00:00 AM11/4/00

to

Ramblin wrote:

Caustic won't erode porcelain. You can store it in glass.

Pat