Treb, do report back on the Silgranit. It seems sort of rough and weird for a sink. I have a sample--haven't tried scratching it yet and honestly I don't think a scratch would bother me if it's the same color. (Blanco sends free sink samples fast.) That said, the scratched up stainless steel sink had a lovely patina and I would be happy with it. I've had brushed SS counters with integrated sinks and big scratches can just be blended in pretty well with a scotchbrite pad. I wouldn't bother with a sink, but would occasionally spruce up the counters. The KD dissing apron fronts clearly has no experience with them. Why would an apron front sink take more abuse from people brushing against it than cabinet material? Whether it's SS, fireclay, or cast iron, it'll be a more scratch-resistant material than stained or painted wood. You should see how the front of my wall mount (and therefore apron-front-ish) porcelain utility/powder room sink looks. Unlike the cabinetry under the sinks in my 60+ year old house, it looks perfect, and it's seen the hardest use.

First clean your sink with Bar Keepers Friend. It may take two tries to get all the gunk off. Then use GEL GLOSS ( HD & Lowes both carry) . Thick coat, let stand a few minutes, wipe off with the grain. Allow to dry over night. Should help the water spots. Have a customer in Dover, De who installed both the Reality Sink and a Kohler for prep and had waterspotting on both . Found the above solution worked for her. ( main causation with her spotting was a new house that was still off loading oiling found on the new plastic piping. An instant hot water maker vs a hot water tank exasperated the problem ) Good Luck!

Just about Digginginthedirt's comments about a black Silgranit sink (actually called "anthracite"): I have so far had two different kitchens in two different regions, but both had hard water. I had Silgranit in anthracite in each kitchen, and what I loved most about it was that it DID NOT show waterspots, unlike the other stainless steel sinks I've had that have shown water spots instantly. Note that there are granite composite sinks out there that are not the Silgranit brand, and do not have the Silgranit proprietary patents and technology, and those may show water spots. Having said that, and while I love the look of the anthracite, and am picking it for my current (third) kitchen, I don't think the anthracite would be right for Boops2012 kitchen as she has described it. Perhaps the Silgranit white, but be careful that it might seem too white. Also check out the Silgranit Biscuit color which is a creamy white. Did you know that Blanco will mail to you color chips of their Silgranit colors? Call their customer service number, and ask for chips of the colors you want. Blanco's customer service number is 1-888-668-6201. This post was edited by Mrs_Nyefnyef on Sun, Aug 4, 13 at 21:08

MOST of the stainless sinks I see people getting, on these forums, are the newer "brushed" finishes, and those sinks really don't even have a shine. You'd really have to work at it to get Comet or Ajax to dull those finishes, but I suppose it could be done. I have had a smooth-finish stainless sink for many many years, and occasionally did resort to Comet for a good cleaning. I never had any dulling or scratching, ever. I switched to BKF liquid a few years ago just because it's more convenient. I just replaced my old sink with a new SS one, again, a smooth polished finish - not the brushed. I will be using the same cleaner as I have in the past. As far as water spots - jeeez. I can't believe anyone would be concerned with water spots in a sink. Oy!!