I am so excited! We have found a supplier for replacement metal “hudee rings” — those metal rims that go around the edge of vintage kitchen and bathroom sinks. Vance Industries offers these stainless steel sink rims in at least 18 sizes — 17 rectangles, one round, and they say to “contact us for oblong sizes.” Finding replacement hudee rings has been a longstanding want and need of Retro Renovators.
Back a ways, I posted this advertisement (above) from the original hudee ring company — Hudee Manufacturing — that pointed out that there were some 1,062 hudee ring sizes at one one point in time. 1,062! Now, at least, we have a source for 18 of them.
In fact, the manufacturer of this metal sink rims, Vance Industries, says on its website that it has been in business for nearly 60 years — making it mid century authentic — and moreover, that its “…Vance patented Undermounter [is] the original seamless stainless steel sink frames (mounting rims).” I will have to give Vance a call and get the 411 on all this history and who-was-who-doing-what.
How did I make this hudeerrific discovery? Roundabout through reader Jon. Thank you, Jon!
Where to get these sink rims: 18+ sizes of metal rims for your kitchen or bathroom sink from Vance Industries. Also check the selection on Amazon here (affiliate link). Be sure to see their mounting clip section, too.
Eldemila says
I’m trying to update a 1960’s bathroom with oil rubbed bronze fixtures while keeping the original sink – wondering if the ring could be painted to match the faucet? Has anyone ever attempted to do this, and be successful? I’m wondering how durable it would be in the long run.
Vickie Leon says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! So I can keep the 1950’s stainless steel sink which is superior to the ones in stores now.
deajohn says
Yes! We’ll have to start stocking them….!
pam kueber says
yay!
Danielle Griggs says
Thats amazing! My counter installer found me mine. He took it off of another job site.
Jane / MulchMaid says
My original Hudee ring is old and a little dented, but we reused it anyway when we remodeled the kitchen, because we thought re-use was the only option. So great to hear we might have an alternative if ever needed. Pam, your site ROCKS!
Ethan says
Too Cool!
Janice says
Just another reason to read this site every day. Thanks to Jon and Pam for the great resource!
pam kueber says
thank you janice — and others. i LOVE LOVE LOVE it when uncover new resources like this. at this point — readers are sending me tips galore, how fun is it to have so many folks combining efforts like this!!
Jon Hunt says
You’re welcome! BTW, the same manufacturer sells a nifty built-in cutting board with a steel rim. We found a 16×20 hole in our countertop when we ripped up some granite tile that we had NO idea about — I’m 90% sure one of these sat in there at one point. They make a quite vintage-looking version with pictures of spices on it. You can’t lose!
Plus, their customer service department is really helpful! No, I don’t work for them, I swear.
pam kueber says
shhh! jon, that post is coming tomorrow!
Ann-Marie Meyers says
OMG! My parents have one of these, and when I tried to find one 15 years ago, I was told there was no such thing. Hoooray. (But I will keep it a secret until tomorrow.)
Milster says
Hi Pam!
Can you hear me singing the “hallelelujah” chorus from Florida right now?! Last year when we remodeled our 1959 ranch kitchen back to 1959 from 1980, I got a new Kohler cast iron drop in sink and ever since, I hate the caulk line under the rim of the sink that shows the spacers they had to use to get it level and have been dying to find a hudee ring to see if I can make it work; and, once again, thanks to RR I can find one and try it!
You and your readers never cease to amaze me and I have used your website to find my Dishmaster in my kitchen, vintage style replacement tiles for my bathroom (when we had to have our whole house replumbed last August), metal trim for my Formica Turquoise Boomerang countertops and so much more. Keep it comin’ Pam!
pam kueber says
hey milster, check with kohler — i would be totally shocked if they didn’t have a replacement rim for their own sinks they are selling today!
Rachel says
Kohler does sell the metal rims! We just got our Tahoe sinks in a couple of weeks ago. I ordered them through Amazon, but did not realize the metal rims didn’t come with the sinks (’cause the product name included “metal rim” and had pictures of it and no link to the related product) I searched on the Kohler web site and found them. You can also search on Amazon for them – ours ended up coming from an overstock place.
Between the sinks and these rad faucets I found, I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a vanity in my life.
http://pinterest.com/pin/5453568/
Thanks for the resources, Pam! I first saw the Tahoe sink here & coveted it immediately. So excited we were able to get them! 🙂
Janet Gore says
During the past three weeks, we have had two bathroom countertops replaced …. I kept reminding EVERYONE working on the project about the Hudee rings … “irreplaceable” was my word of the day. I think “they” were petrified … all turned out fine. Well, I don’t intend to replace any more countertops, but it’s good to know that others will not be faced with “the fear of the Hudee”!!!!