Totally agree with you on this. I've done epoxy repairs on sinks in a couple of my rentals, and honestly, it never holds up long-term. Tenants aren't always the gentlest, and daily wear and tear just seems to accelerate the cracking and discoloration. Learned the hard way after having to redo one sink twice within two years...talk about a headache. Eventually switched to professional reglazing, and it's been worth every penny. Less downtime, fewer tenant complaints, and way less hassle overall. DIY is tempting, but sometimes paying upfront saves you more in the long run.
I've had mixed luck with DIY epoxy kits myself. Did one in my own bathroom sink about three years ago, and surprisingly it's still holding up pretty well. Granted, I'm careful with it, and it's not getting the heavy use a rental would. But I do agree that for rentals, professional reglazing probably makes more sense—tenants can be rougher than you'd expect, and downtime is a real pain. Still, if it's your own place and you're gentle enough, DIY might just do the trick...at least for a while.
I've had similar experiences with DIY epoxy kits. Did my kitchen sink about two years ago, and while it looked great initially, it started showing tiny cracks around the drain after about a year. Granted, kitchen sinks take a beating compared to bathroom ones—hot pans, heavy pots, you name it. If you're careful and it's a low-impact area, DIY can definitely save you some cash. But for anything high-use or rental-related, I'd bite the bullet and go pro... learned that the hard way.
Yeah, been down that road myself. DIY epoxy can hold up okay in bathrooms or guest areas, but kitchens and rentals are another story. Had tenants chip and crack a refinished sink within months—hot pans, metal utensils, even dropping heavy mugs can do damage fast. For high-traffic spots, professional reglazing or just replacing the sink entirely usually saves headaches (and money) down the line. Learned to factor durability into cost decisions after a few too many quick fixes...
I've been tempted by those DIY kits too, but honestly, the fumes alone made me reconsider. Even with good ventilation, epoxy can be pretty harsh indoors—especially in smaller spaces like bathrooms. Plus, if you don't prep perfectly, peeling and bubbling happen way sooner than you'd think. Curious if anyone's had luck with safer, low-VOC refinishing options? I'd rather avoid the chemical headache altogether if possible...
