"Porcelain has a smooth, non-porous finish, and epoxy—even the plant-based kind—often struggles to bond properly without thorough prep and specialized primers."
Exactly this. DIY epoxy kits can work okay-ish for minor cosmetic fixes, but sinks take a beating daily—hot water, cleaning chemicals, pots banging around... I've seen plenty of DIY repairs peel or chip within months. If you're looking for something that'll last more than a quick fix, professional reglazing is usually worth the extra cost. Otherwise, you'll probably end up redoing it sooner rather than later.
"DIY epoxy kits can work okay-ish for minor cosmetic fixes, but sinks take a beating daily..."
Yeah, learned this the hard way myself. Tried an epoxy kit on my bathroom sink crack last year—looked decent at first, but after a couple months of daily use and cleaning, it started peeling again. Ended up calling in a pro anyway.
Had a similar issue here—tried epoxy on a kitchen sink chip, looked okay for about six months, then started discoloring and peeling. Wonder if certain brands or prep methods make any difference in durability...?
Honestly, epoxy can be hit or miss no matter the brand or prep. Had a similar issue myself—ended up biting the bullet and getting a pro fix. Cost more upfront but zero issues since, worth it imo.
Interesting perspective, though I'm not entirely convinced professional help is always the best route for something like a cracked sink. As a first-time homeowner myself, I've been navigating these sorts of dilemmas quite a bit lately, and I've found that sometimes the DIY approach can be both cost-effective and surprisingly durable—provided you do thorough research beforehand.
For instance, when I had a minor crack in my bathroom sink last year, I initially considered calling in a pro. But after looking into it more deeply, I realized that the key to success with epoxy repairs often lies in meticulous prep work and patience during application. It's not just about brand or product quality; it's about technique. Cleaning the surface thoroughly, sanding it down properly, and applying the epoxy carefully in thin layers made all the difference for me. Granted, it took longer than expected (and yes, it was a bit nerve-wracking), but the repair has held up remarkably well so far.
Of course, I understand your point about epoxy being hit or miss—there's definitely some truth to that. But I'd argue that many DIY failures stem from rushing the process or skipping steps rather than inherent flaws in the epoxy itself. Plus, there's something genuinely satisfying about successfully tackling these small home projects yourself.
That said, if the crack is extensive or structural integrity is compromised, then yes, professional intervention might indeed be necessary. But for minor cosmetic cracks, I'd still lean toward giving DIY another shot—just with extra care and preparation this time around.
