Brass Sink Restoration

[TerryM]

One item on my to do list has been to clean or replace the brass sink in the private head. The sink was pitted and discolored and looked tired.

Sink Before:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_vTD16VmYing/TXpTgU9BEnI/AAAAAAAAAM0/Laj1cI5rFlU/sink_before.JPG

I tried to clean with Brasso, Flintz and Never Dull. Not an ounce of improvement.

I priced a new sink at $630. That didn't seem like a good option.

I traded emails with the sink manufacturer. They said the sink was not coated when it was sold but that someone could have added a lacquer finish. They suggested trying a lacquer remover to see if there was a coating to remove.

Sure enough, the sink was coated with lacquer. Here are a couple pictures during lacquer removal. You can also see some of the blemishes.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_vTD16VmYing/TXpTgfCKe2I/AAAAAAAAAM4/YWd9u_fNwlA/sink_during1.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_vTD16VmYing/TXpTfxRTE4I/AAAAAAAAAM8/uNP_1rSjBJI/sink_during2.JPG

It took me about 2 hours to remove the lacquer. I used Flintz and "00" steel wool to clean and polish the sink. I am really happy with the results.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_vTD16VmYing/TXpTfl7yvCI/AAAAAAAAANA/PqffUgn-1cc/sink_finished.JPG

This project turned out easier and cheaper then I expected. You gotta like that.

Terry

[Jon Wehrenberg]

You could make a fortune polishing wheels. That sink looks fabulous. Good job.

[TerryM]

My box of MetalWax products should arrive tomorrow or Monday. I'll have a wheel polishing project next week. I have to get it ready for a trip to Key West later this month.

[rahangman]

Be VERY CAREFUL with the MetalWax.....do not allow it to touch ANY paint...if you do, you will be touching your paint a lot, with a lot of elbow grease to return your paint to what it used to be....forewarned....from someone who found out the hard way. That said, it does a great job.

[TerryM]

Thank you. Sounds like advice earned the hard way. I will certainly be careful now.

[GDeen]

Very very nice job.