Do you have a steel sink, stove or other appliance that needs to be refinished? Professional reporcelaining seems to be the way to go for long-term durability. Reader Barb tipped us to a second company that can do this high-heat job — Independence Porcelain Enamel. The company has been in business since 1922 and is located in Independence, Missouri, close to Kansas City.
Note, however, that Independence only reporcelains steel — not cast iron. If you have cast iron, the only source we know of remains Custom Ceramics — and owner John confirmed with Pam yesterday that his waiting list for three years long. Ouch.
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.
Barb wrote to us:
I wanted to have my 1947 66-inch double bowl, double drainboard porcelain sink (on a Youngstown steel cabinet) done by Custom Ceramics in Illinois, but I can’t wait 1.5 – 2 years. I found a company in Independence, Missouri, close to Kansas City. It is Independence Porcelain Enamel, in business since 1922. I took my sink last Friday. Jeff Gaylord at IPE tells me it will take about two weeks. It will be sandblasted and fired at 1600 degrees. It was a good size company and has been in business for a long time so I am optimistic for good results. Cost will be $550.
[Editor’s notes re Barb’s email above: Custom Ceramics also can reporcelain steel — for that, the wait is currently about 12 weeks, the company told us; it’s the cast iron work that has the multi-year wait list time. Also note: Independence gave us different firing temperatures when they answered our questions below.]
I contacted Jeff at Independence Porcelain Enamel to verify that they did indeed re-porcelain vintage steel drainboard sinks, and to inquire about the company, pricing and available colors.
Independence Porcelain Enamel
Jeff writes:
Independence Porcelain Enamel has been in my family since 1983. We are a job shop the specializes in one-time projects, and we also do larger volume runs of commercial products. We don’t do mass volume runs of 1,000s of units though.
Our main business is restoration work. However, we only refinish steel sinks (not cast iron). Colors range from your basic white, black, and almond to reds, blue, greens, turquoise, buttercup yellow, and orange. Our process is we media blast all the old porcelain off and apply new porcelain to raw substrate. Porcelain enamel is a water based slurry that is applied to the substrate then dried to evaporate the water from the slurry. We can then brush any areas (thru or threaded holes) that need to be free of porcelain. Then the piece is fired at 1400 F to 1520 F depending on the substrate (steel or cast iron). It is then inspected and reprocessed with another coating if required.
Here is a before/after of a restored sink. The cost to refinish a double bowl with double drain boards sink in white is $550 plus shipping. Lead time is 3-5 weeks after receipt of sink.
I wondered: How can someone tell if their vintage sink is steel and therefore a good candidate for re-porcelaining at Independence? Jeff replied:
The easiest way is if you look on the underside of the sink. A cast iron sink will have raised lettering and a rough texture. Cast iron sinks will also be very heavy in weight. Steel sinks won’t have raised lettering but a stamp with the manufacturer’s date.
Independence Porcelain Enamel also does appliance re-porcelaining. Pricing varies depending on size and color. Jeff said that an RV cooktop or oven doors can range from $82.50 each to $97.50.
It’s great to to have another source for reporcelaining our vintage steel sinks, parts or other appliances!
Barb’s sink:
So how did tipster Barb’s sink turn out?
Barb writes:
The people at Independence Porcelain Enamel were great. So I hope that they get lots of jobs from your article. I stayed up one night searching and searching the internet and then I found them.
The sink is absolutely beautiful. I’m sure it looks exactly like it did when it rolled off the assembly line in 1947. IPE did a fantastic job.
Mega thanks to reader Barb for the tip and to Jeff Gaylord from Independence Porcelain Enamel for taking the time to answer our questions and send photos for this story.
Link love:
Debra Cramsie says
The information and comments on this website have been so helpful! My parents had a double sink, double drainboard cast iron sink in their kitchen that I always loved. I had hoped to salvage it before we sold their house (I was trustee after they passed away). Anyway, that didn’t work out but I did find a seller on Craigslist with one and bought it for our future kitchen remodel! I live in the San Diego CA area and wish there was a company closer than Illinois. I am waiting for a response from Custom Ceramic Coatings to find out the current wait list time. Since I’m not in a hurry, this might work out for me. 🙂 Thank you for publishing such a great website! Love all things vintage! 🙂
Dee says
If anyone has a source to have a pink wall oven door from 1960s reporcelained, I would SO appreciate it. It’s so much smaller than new ovens and so hard to find a replacement. Thanks much . ( ABSOLUTELY LOVE the sink !!!)
pam kueber says
Dee — why aren’t you contacting the company listed in this story? It is the main source we know about….
Jodi Albertini says
Hello. I wanted to comment that my husband & I once owned a 1940’s home in Chicago. This was about 15 years ago & the 2nd floor cast iron built in bathroom tub was in desperate need of a refinish. My husband called a man ( I do not know who – but I could find out), who came to our house and restored the tub in a few hours. I think we paid $100! The tub looked just like this sink does!!! Only inconvenience is that we had to wait 24 hours for it to dry, before using it again. And, once dry, we – in no time, caulked it ourselves. We were told THEN to clean as we always would. We did have on small chip occur when our toddler dropped something really heavy in the tub. It did not keep on chipping at all and the contractor came back out and patched the hole back to new again!! We never had any more issues after that! Feel free to emai me and I can do my best to help anyone locate this man or someone like him in the Chicago area. Jodi
Mary Elizabeth says
This is what I love about this site, people helping others get the services and parts they need to restore their homes. You are a sweetie, Jodi.
Alan says
Don’t think you’re going to buy a new steel sink and have it porcelained to a different color. Independence ceramics only reporcelains things that have been porcelained before. I bought a new steel kitchen sink thinking I would send it to Independence for a porcelain coating. Jeff said unfortunately they wouldn’t be able to do it.
pam kueber says
To those who have subscribed to this Comment thread: If you have a STEEL (not cast iron) sink, see our new story on where you can get that reporcelained in a much more timely fashion. See the story on Independence Porcelain Enamel here — https://retrorenovation.com/2011/09/06/real-porcelain-enamel-coating-to-restore-your-drainboard-sink-tub-or-stove/
Cynthia says
Hi, isn’t your link pointing back to the earlier, longer-wait-time article? So happy there’s another source! Now, if only there were a source east of Ohio…
pam kueber says
Cynthia, the story includes links to both IPE and CC
Mark says
I’ve used IPE to have some parts on my Chambers stove re-done, they did a great job!
I have more for them now that I think about it….
lorraine says
Hi Mark. Yes, I’ve heard of IPE. I was hoping to find a more local outlet but certainly they are known for working on Chambers stoves. They are on my short list for my Chambers.
lorraine says
Looks fabulous! Now if anyone knows somewhere where I can get my stove top re chromed.. in NC or SC would be awesome.
MJ says
The Halibut stove may be small, but its fully functional; one heats my boat almost too well!
pam kueber says
Hi MJ, is that YOUR stove? Very cool!!!!
Kathy in San Leandro says
Thanks for clarifying the question of whether IPE does steel or cast iron. I have 1929 Standard tub and sink in Ivoire de Medici that could use a new coat, but they’re definitely cast iron. At first I didn’t realize the red stove was a miniature. It’s adorable! I want one… just for the halibut.
Mary Elizabeth says
What a stunning job! It is a great deal better than any new sink, I’ll wager. And the fact that you can get the colors you want to go with your kitchen is fabulous. I wonder if Jeff and RR readers can comment on the care of these sinks once they are re-porcelainized. Is it the same as caring for the original enamel sink or tub? (That is, no harsh chemicals, only approved cleaning products, don’t bang things around in the sink, etc.)