After Joe was unsuccessful in his attempt to epoxy-coat his vintage porcelain drainboard sink, he replaced it with a new Elkay Lustertone stainless steel drainboard sink. Even though the metal drainboard sink looks great, Joe says he would have preferred to keep his old porcelain sink top and have had the original enamel restored, refinished or replaced. But he didn’t know of a source — and neither did I. Until now.
Thanks to reader TappanTrailerTami, who let us know:
I hate to mention this after-the-fact, but it could be something that Pam can investigate for us, and report on. There is a company in Illinois — Custom Ceramic Coatings — that does actual REAL porcelain enameling (the baked-on kind). I’ve seen them mentioned on a couple of different websites. I don’t know how much the cost is, but I think it would be worth checking out and having the information handy just in case someone here wants to save their current sink. It is my understanding that they are the only company in the country to do real old fashioned authentic fired on porcelain enamel work.
Tami
UPDATE: We subsequently identified a second company — Independence Porcelain — that can do reporcelaining if you have a STEEL base; Custom Ceramic Coatings can do reporcelaining onto steel or cast iron.
And another UPDATE: Antique Baths Sydney (Australia) also has left comments that they do this work on both cast iron and steel substrates. Check out Antique Baths Sydney here. And, see the comments thread in this story for some back and forth with them regarding their shipping costs.
A note on terminology: I have seen the terms “Porcelain Enamel”, “Enamel”, and “Porcelain” each used to describe the top coating that is baked onto metal substrates on bathtubs, sinks and other products. As such, you may see the various terms used interchangeably on this blog by me and by others who are interviewed or commenting. To verify what types of products you have and what they are made of, do your own research including consulting with the original manufacturer or your own professionals.
Understanding potential lead hazards in old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and tile of any age:
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
If you are the owner of an older porcelain enamel bathtub or sinks — or are considering buying one — please see my May 2, 2016 story Understanding potential lead hazards in old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any age; this article focuses on raising awareness around three other potential sources of lead dust exposure in your home – old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any era — and steps you can take to assess and, if required, address them.
Well, I followed up on Tami’s tip, made a phone call, and yes — Custom Ceramic’s owner John Ballantyne says that, indeed, he does true, old-fashioned re-porcelaining of sinks, tubs, stove parts and even vintage motorcycle parts. He does lots of (all the?) reporcelaining work for companies that take apart and re-manufacture vintage stoves piece by piece, for example.
John says can strip and then re-porcelain onto steel substrates, and usually, onto cast iron, although he tells me there is an issue with cast iron right now:
As I told you on the phone, I have been having some trouble with the thick heavy cast iron pieces since I had to change my porcelain supplier. My old supplier went out of business and we had things matched up pretty good. The stamped steel sinks are no problem. We are working with the porcelain for the cast and it has recently worked out on some pieces that had failed badly for outgassing. Once I try a couple of sinks that have failed and if they work out now, then I will return to doing the heavy cast iron again.
The porcelain re-enameling process is not cheap, because it is time-consuming and requires craftsmanship, materials and the tools and equipment. John explains that porcelain = glass. To re-porcelain a piece, he says, he first must blast away all the old porcelain down to the bare metal. He then applies a “ground coat” — a special primer, more or less — usually two coats, each fired separately. Then, he creates a special chemical mixture of ground glass and other materials — this is called “slip” — and applies thin coats in a wet spray, drying and firing in between. The firing all occurs at up to 1500 degrees F. The “outgassing” he refers to, is when there are problems getting the porcelain coats to adhere to the ground coats during the firing process. Expansion, contraction, chemical formulations — all must be just right or you get bubbles and pocks and flaking or worse.
John can create white porcelain, or color-match to about any color you want. Vibrant reds and yellows are more expensive, he warns, because the formula for these colors use cadmium, an EPA-controlled substance requiring special procedures.
Costs vary according to the piece. John read to me from his rate card: A 42″ sink runs $750-$800, plus shipping. As you can imagine, shipping can be a substantial part of the expense, too. For example, John is in Illinois, just across the border from St. Louis, and one-way shipping to California for a piece sitting in his shop while we talked was looking like $230. He says he works with a special shipper to help get the best cost possible.
That said, remember that it’s probably at least $1,500 for an Elkay Lustertone stainless steel drainboard sink. And I bet if anyone ever started making porcelain drainboard sinks new, they would be in that price range or higher.
A 40″ stovetop, in white, with four burner holes, would be about $335, John said.
He can also do stove grates, with simple single grates starting at $50.50.
Currently, lead times are three-to-four weeks.
John says that he started his business in 1997, after running a large porcelain plant in St. Louis. He got his start when he reporcelained the exhaust pipes on his Harleys.
Links:
- Custom Ceramic Coatings — tell John you heard about him on Retro Renovation!
- Update May 2015: Custom Ceramic’s waiting list is now two to three years long. Yes: Years. If you have a STEEL sink, try the other source have now profiled: Independencc Porcelain Enamel. Their timeline is weeks — but note, they cannot reporcelain cast iron.
- Understanding potential lead hazards in old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any age.
- Do you want to buy a drainboard farmhouse style sink — new? There are options! See our complete Farmhouse Drainboard Sink Resource Page here.
Caroline says
We used John to re-porcelainize a sink that came out of a 1958 DeVille travel trailer that we had re-habbed a couple years back to a soft 50’s yellow. His work on our sink was flawless! Great job!!
Pam says
I have an 80 year old farmhouse sink – 6′ long w/the original legs. It’s white enamel over iron (heavy…heavy…and heavy!). Just beautiful…but it does need new enamel. Probably what I’ll do is use it in my barn or carriage house, as is, and get a new porcelain drainboard sink. I want another long sink, which I’ll surely put to good use!
Ginny Farrell says
Looking to get a removable high chair tray re-enameled, can you help or give me any tips? It’s chipped and worn.
pam kueber says
Contact the companies listed in this story…
chris says
I am looking for a double sink w/ double drain board? any for sale
pam kueber says
see our complete page with info on this topic: https://retrorenovation.com/farmhouse-drainboard-sinks/
Christel Fourie says
Good day.
Where can i find one of these white pocelain wall mounted farm style sinks in South Africa? Need one asap for a project and struggling to find one!! Please help!
Christel
Betsy Fuller says
I have found a really cool 48″ x 50″ alcove tub (not a Cindarella), porcelain cast iron. It does need to be refinished and a chip repaired. I spoke with John Balllyntine, near St. Louis, and yes, he does still reglaze, but his kiln is not big enough for this tub. With that in mind, we are considering one of the “in house” processes. I have found one that uses a thermal fusion process and would need to cure for a week. Time is not a concern as we don’t live in the house at the moment. Any suggestions?
pam kueber says
I know nothing about this.
Joyce says
Gosh, I am so happy to see this about the real porcelain work. I love my old bathtub and would rather keep the house looking original than replace it with a new tub.
tenantproof says
I am so excited to find out about this service. I just love those old double drainboard sinks. Yipee a way to save them. I hope we can teach people to only use Bon Ami or Bar Keeper’s friend on them or plain Dawn dish liquid no harsh powders so they will continue to last.
Suzanne says
I have a older home and when I purchased it I had my bath tubs restored and they look wonderful. A job always needs the right person, otherwise you are throwing your money away! Believe me I learned from experience, craftsmen are hard to find that are knowledgeable in the old ways. The new generation believes in throw it out and buy new!
LHoll says
Does anyone know how to just shine up a dull finish on a porcelain cast iron sink? We are remodeling the basement and moving an old sink from a former bar to a new bathroom. The toilet is new – so Very Shiny and this beautiful old sink is kinda dull. No rust, chips or stains. Just flat. Any way to simply make it shine again? Thanks!
pam kueber says
See these recommendations from Kohler: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/11/19/kohler-says-no-to-magic-eraser-comet-bar-keepers-friend-zud-vinegar-for-cleaning-its-porcelain-enamel-cast-iron/