Vintage Porcelain Sink?

12 years ago

Hello everyone! Long time lurker... first (actually second) time poster. I posted this under Renovations as well, and they suggested I post here too. I live in SC and want a vintage porcelain sink for my kitchen reno. 1920 home... Ideally it would be 48" wide, and have one sink and a drain board on the right, with a 4" backsplash. I was originally thinking that I would find an old one and have it re-done, but have been advised to find one that does not need work. I am having a VERY difficult time finding one in SC (wish for this project I lived in the NE!). Does anyone have any suggestions? Or precautions? Thank you everyone!

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Comments (7)

marcolo
12 years ago
You can get brand new sinks that are reproductions of sinks of your era from Signature Hardware.

{{gwi:1577190}}
oldhousegal
12 years ago
There are a number of salvage stores that have an online catalog, but from what I've personally searched for, they do sell out quickly.

I also think the cost of the sink plus restoration might end up costing as much as a new one. I agree though to check out Signature Hardware and perhaps rensup.com.

I've been searching for a utility sink for over 5 years now, and so far not finding what I want. I hope you have better luck!
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Thanks so much! This is really helpful information and has helped me make a decision on my purchase. I'll go pick the sink up tomorrow (hopefully it's still there!).
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powermuffin, thanks for the caveat on the garbage disposal drain size. I'm not sure that I would put in a disposal, since we're on a septic and therefore quite rarely use the one I have now, though it's ~30 years old and perhaps just gumming anything I put down it anyhow. Since there are drains installed in the sink, I haven't figured out how to measure the diameter--oh no, sounds like real life math! ;) Definitely something to know *before* buying a new disposal! mtnrdredux, I have to take faucet concerns seriously from someone who put a pot filler in a rock wall... ;) Yes, the deck and drain hole sizes and what faucet will fit is now gnawing at me (heh, likely because the design questions don't have a finite answer like this does). the ledge above and behind the current sink (all along the counter and wood-covered in the other rooms) is actually open to the half-basement below with windows for solar gain. It's a hypocaust system where the south-facing windows heat the air and then there are fans that pump the air under the north side of the house. We also use a fireplace insert but the propane furnace runs quite rarely, set at 60, and we're at 8200' with an -18 degree night last winter! Well, that was a loooong answer to your comment! :) I *do* love having the ledge to set hot pans especially, which is why I really want to put tile/something heatproof there. I put all the pizza toppings on the ledge while taking up the whole counter handling the dough--feels like a real pizzaria that way lol! ptamom, I have read good reviews of reglazing for bathtubs but bad reviews for kitchen sinks. This sink is in good enough condition that I won't have to worry about that. Concrete counters sounds like they'd provide that contemporary/industrial edge, but I have concerns about the maintenance required. Also, the counters (well, everything...) has to be DIY which is why I've focused on laminate and lately soapstone if other concerns can be met. thanks for coming back to this thread with your thoughts! cheers
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For the last 10 years I have been using a concrete mixing tub that I got at Home Depot for $6. It's the perfect size, is made of very durable, thick, rubbery plastic, and has not cracked or deteriorated from use or greenhouse temperatures in any way. This is like the one I have: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Plasgad-Black-Medium-Concrete-Mixing-Tub-887101C/205451550 It also has a fat, sturdy rim which means you could support it with a simple wooden frame around the edges. Here it is in my greenhouse: I see it still sells for $6-7...hopefully within your budget :-)
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marcolo
12 years ago
You can't restore a porcelain on cast iron sink. Ideagirl2 and I located two businesses in the US that refired them, but I believe both have stopped offering the service. You can search for her threads and perhaps check to see if that's changed.

You also should not really use tub refinishers on sinks. The process is not meant to stand up to stockpots banging on the bottom.

Bottom line is, you can get a repro, or you can get an older sink in good shape--those can indeed be found. But you really need to hunt online and they're not always super cheap.
eugenie11
12 years ago
Do you want to go to Searsport, Maine? I saw a fabulous selection of authentic cast iron kitchen sinks (and cast iron pots and pans and hardware) in an antique/junk shop there last fall.

It's called Treasures and Trash Barn - I just looked up their website. Take a look! Funky place... Any excuse to go to Maine is a good one, in my book...
autumn-butterfly
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you thank you thank you!!! ALL FAB suggestions! The main thing I have learned here is to NOT refire a sink... find an old one in good shape, or buy a new one. Eugenie, Maine would be FAB!!!!! I will go and look at that website now! Thank you again everyone!!!
Circus Peanut
12 years ago
Autumn, on your way up to Searsport you could stop at Portland Architectural Salvage; they are a bit pricey but have some kitchen sinks in gorgeous condition, as of a few weeks ago.

Also: Old House Parts in Kennebunk, and CityGirlInTheCountry Vintage Sinks in New Hampshire - she has some beauts, and she ships reasonably. Got my clawfoot tub from her.
User
12 years ago
If you have a local powder coating company that does large objects, and you can get a fairly rust free antique cheap enough, then I would experiment with having it powder coated. It won't be as tough as the original porcelain, but they do use it for high temp engine coatings and other industrial applications. I'd bet it would last 10-15 years if the prep was done correctly. And it's the prep labor that would kill you as far as the costs go. It needs to be acid etched or sandblasted and the rust needs to be chemically converted. (Easy enough to DIY with pool acid, goggles, and a garden hose standing by.) If it has pits in a non wet area, I'd bet Bondo would work for that, but I don't think I'd trust it to a wet dish contact area.

Yeah, this is an experiment that I've been wanting to try for myself, but everyone who has vintage sinks, even in the crappiest states, wants a bloody fortune for them. If I could just find the right $50 sink to try....

Vintage Porcelain Sink?

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Vintage Porcelain Sink?

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