DC Girl Rebecca sent in this question about hootie rings. Yes — hootie rings!
Pam,
Do you know if anyone sells just the metal rim to go around sinks? I have a fantastic, huge cast iron sink that I want to reuse after replacing our countertops, but a plumber I had in recently said I couldn’t because no one makes that edging anymore and it’s next to impossible to remove the sink without damaging it.
This can’t be true, can it?
Rebecca
Update: See this story — we found the source — and note the correct spelling of HUDEE!
Originally, I had consulted with John V. of deabath.com, who explained that saving the existing ring may be possible, or not:
Hi Pam;
Unfortunately, the plumber is fairly accurate. Quite a few of those old Hootie rings were made specifically for the sink, and once the sink is discontinued, the ring goes as well. The best I could recommend to your reader is to hit up local, well established plumbing houses and hope there’s one kicking around in the warehouse…
I’ve saved them before, and I’ve lost them before as well. It just depends on what material was used to seal the ring onto the old countertop. I would certainly give it a go. And, as long as the ring isn’t physically broken, a body shop can probably repair the damage incurred during removal. Give it a shot, what do you have to lose?
Believe it or not, the ring were originally made by Hootie Manufacturing. Love the name….
John
Love that name, too, John, thank you!
Seattle Amy says
I have a question that is probably pretty lame for all the experienced people…how do I REINSTALL my sink with hoody/hootie/hodee ring?
I pulled the sink out to take the the local ACE to get the stopper out (it was super stuck and we think someone glued it in).
I have refinished the sink with tub & tile epoxy paint. It turned out great.
I painted the counter with stainless steal paint (turned out surprisingly good).
Now I have to put it all back together, but I can’t find anything on the web that tells me how to do this. I have plumber’s putty…but where to I put it? How much to put on? What’s the process to get the ring/sink/clamps back together?
I’m STUCK! If someone could help, I would really appreciate it!!
Marguerite says
I see this is very old, and that your question was not answered here. I am in the same quandry. I got the sink out, even bought a new hudee ring to fit the sink, couldn’t get the old one off, so I just cleaned underneath it. Soaked all the rusted clips in the rust remover stuff, sanded clean, wire brushed the screws, all working now. Setting the sink back in today. There was nothing under the hudee; i.e. plumbers putty, silicone, but thinking it prob doesn’t need any as the clamps tighten it down to make a seal. So I now have a 32×21 hudee that I won’t be using because the old one just would NOT come off the sink. I guess I could have pried it up and off, but then i figured what if the new one won’t go on, so I left it. The new sinks with their lips are a hassel so I do not want a new sink, plus the sink I have is a very pretty teal color.
Janet Gore says
We have successfully removed two cast iron bathroom sinks along with the hootie rights that were with them for reinstallation (counter tops to be replaced). Cannot determine what type of “cement” was used to seal the ring to the sink and the countertop? Just curious ’cause we’re having a “heck of a time” getting that tannish stuff off. I know this isn’t a Q/A site, but thought maybe someone had some experience with the same thing ……
pam kueber says
I recommend you contact deabath tomorrow – they are my go-to people on questions like this – may have a product that can help!
Sue Christenson says
We were able to save BOTH of our hootie rings, but alas, were not able to reuse the clips. Does anyone know where I can get the clips for these darn things? Or if there is a substitute that will work? The sinks are Elkay brand. Thanks in advance for your help.
charles whalen says
I am also looking for new hootee clamps,have you had any luck/
pam kueber says
See my category Kitchens/Sinks & Faucets – you want Vance Industries.
Robert Shafer says
Where can I purchase a hutee ring . I have a tripple cast iron sink 22″ x 42″.
Is there a special place that will make one.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
pam kueber says
robert, you are going to have to search online. i might have seen some info somewhere but i can’t remember and have never done a post. note, there were 1,056 different hudee ring sizes. first place to try: kohler sells metal ringed sink and stocks the hudee for it, not sure of the size. also try mac the antique plumber, who carries a different sized sink. then its google til your eyes pop out
Jean says
I have a 42″” double white kitchen sink with Huddee ring and my husbamd wants to replace with a new Kohler Cape Dory single basin. I am having missed feelings about this because the old sink is fairly chipped and one edge of the sink is seperated from the ring. We have to replace the old countertops which I am going to do in Formica and am really afaid I am going to be unhappy with everything new and clean looking around a n old and dingy sink. Help! I need some advice and feedback. I looked into resurfacing the sink and it’s quite expensive, nearly the price of a new sink.
Thanks!
Jean
pam kueber says
Hi Jean, I have not heard good things about the longterm durability of resurfacing….Perhaps other readers can weigh in. If you want the old fashioned look – why not the Kohler Delafield or Bakersfield, each with the hudee ring? https://retrorenovation.com/2008/10/08/retro-kitchen-sinks-from-kohler-cast-iron-metal-framed-my-new-1-choice-if-you-are-buying-new/
mid.century.girl says
kohler also makes the hudee ring for 2 styles of sinks: one bath and kitchen…we just bought them…a &*#$! to install.
Doug D. says
Kohler stil makes different sizes, colors & configurations of cast iron sinks with new hudee rings and clips. I special ordered a white 2 sided kitchen sink with a ring from Home Depot about 1.5 years ago. I also order a yellow and a white bathroom sink with new rings. The yellow one matched the original 1963 Kohler sink exactly & fit in the hole in the original formica countertop.
pam kueber says
Yes, Doug, you are right.
We have stories on Kohler’s Delafield and Bakersfield sinks on our Kitchen Fast & Easy Page here: https://retrorenovation.com/retro-kitchens/
And the Tahoe sink is listed on our Bathrooms Fast & Easy Page/Sinks here: https://retrorenovation.com/bathroom-hardware/sinks-and-sink-legs/ … The round bathroom sink with metal hudee ring is called Kohler Caxton. AND, Crane also makes at least one model of hudee-ringed bathroom sink.
Welcome, and keep your ideas coming! Also, we’d LOVE to see your ’63 bathroom retro renovation! send pics if you like, to retrorenovation [at] gmail [dot] com.
Elvis (aka) Jane says
digitera, our helper removed it, but I’m pretty sure it was mainly held in place with metal clips. He was careful enough with them that we could reuse the clips. I understand the clips aren’t always salvageable, because they rust. I’ve heard you can get new clips, but I’ve also heard the new clips don’t always fit or work exactly right.
As for removing the ring, I would use a putty knife or something very flat to separate it from the countertop. Maybe even use a utility knife first, to break the glue seal at the outside of the ring.
Good luck!
digitera says
ELVIS: Do you have any tips for how you successfully got the ring off? Did you use anything to desolve the glue or just use a screwdriver…please divulge for all of us who desperately need a new sink but want to keep the “look”!
king tolles says
i have a boat that has three hatches all three are15x16 they all have hudee rings . i need all three please help if you can thanks
Pam Kueber says
To everyone looking for hudee rings: I have not had time to do a complete search on these. Until I can get to it…go online and search everywhere you can find for “metal rings.”