Refinishing Porcelain with Homax
- , by Trudy Chuoke Trudy Chuoke
When I was looking for a house a few years ago, I ran across a painter who did a lot of work in the neighborhood. We hit it off, and I got to watch him refinish antiques, apply new texture to walls, and pick up many new tips on painting houses. He stayed busy all the time. One day, I walked past his house and saw him restoring an old porcelain bathroom sink he said he'd pulled from a barn. It was covered in grime, rust, worn porcelain, chips, and generally just gross. I looked at him skeptically, and he told me to watch what he could do with this sink.
He worked outside. First, he cleaned it with Krud Kutter Degreaser. And when I say he cleaned it, I mean he scrubbed it with 0000 steel wool. Then, after rinsing it off, he started sanding. He did sand well, not just a scuff sand. Then he cleaned again, then sanded again, and rinsed one more time. This removed all the grime and rust. Now, the sink looked dull. And then the magic started. Tough as Tile is a one-part, high-gloss finish that is durable and long-lasting. This self-leveling finish refreshes old surfaces. It comes as a spray and in a quart. The spray can is really good for sinks. It also comes in a brushable quart, which is good for bathtubs. He shook the spray can, and then he attached a spray grip made by Rust-Oleum to the Tough as Tile spray can. A spray grip provides more control, reduces fatigue, and helps you achieve a professional finish. He sprayed over the sink in one light coat. Light finishes are best. You will achieve full coverage with three coats. Read all the directions that come with the product because it will explain the process. The bottom line is that it’s easy and will save you money by letting you avoid replacing your fixture.
Besides sinks and tubs, you can paint tile surrounds. If your house came with a pink or turquoise sink, you can spray it a newer white. I think this would be great for rental properties. Spray away years of neglect for under $60.00 and a few hours.
Now to the email….
Question: I have an old toolbox that was my dad’s. It’s rusty, and all the paint is chipping and peeling. I want to repurpose it to be my jewelry box. So, tell me – how do I fix the rust, and what paint do I use?
Answer: I laughed when I saw your question because I did the same thing with a big Sears 8-drawer rolling tool cabinet that belonged to my sweet husband. We showed necklaces, outfitted it to hold rings, and equipped it to display bracelets. First, sand it lightly. Then use a tack cloth to remove all the dust. For a smooth paint job, neutralize the rust with Revive. Revive comes in a spray, so it’s easy to use, and your project will never rust again. Then you can spray with any spray paint you want- Rust-Oleum has so many colors to choose from.
Revive is great for any rust project- outdoor furniture, yard art, and tools. Suppose you have a big project, like an iron fence. I suggest its sister product, Restore. It comes in a gallon and, like Revive, neutralizes rust. It also provides a black polished finish. You can leave it as-is, or you can paint it with any paint. These two products are really amazing.
Question: My front door is stained a light mahogany. When you look at the door, the top of the door looks great, but the bottom third of the door looks faded. Do I have to strip the door, refinish it, and then varnish it so that the color looks cohesive? Is it best to remove the door while I work on it?
Answer: As long as the varnish is still intact, you do NOT have to refinish the door. Use Restor-A-Finish in the color closest to the original color. First, clean the door. You can wash it down or wipe off the dust. Then, using a soft rag, apply Restor-A-Finish following the grain of the wood. Wipe on a light coat and allow it to dry before applying another coat. Then, once the color looks good, apply SunShield to protect the door from UV rays.