"Seems like epoxy might hold up better long-term."
Yeah, epoxy does seem promising, but I wonder if it depends on how big or deep the crack is? I've seen some DIY kits work surprisingly well for minor chips, but deeper cracks... not so sure. My uncle patched his sink with epoxy a couple years back, and it's still holding strong. Maybe it's more about prep work and patience than the product itself? Either way, porcelain repairs always feel a bit like rolling the dice...
Epoxy can definitely be solid if done right, but you're spot-on about prep work being key. I've seen some DIY epoxy jobs hold up for years, others fail within months. Porcelain cracks can be tricky—sometimes it's worth biting the bullet and going pro just for peace of mind...
Had a similar issue with our porcelain sink a couple years back. Tried the DIY epoxy route first—did all the prep meticulously, sanding, cleaning, the whole nine yards. Looked great initially, but after about 8 months, hairline cracks started creeping back in. Ended up calling a pro anyway. Honestly, if I had to do it again, I'd skip straight to professional repair. Less hassle, and fewer chemicals wasted in the long run...
Interesting perspective, but honestly I've had decent luck with DIY epoxy kits. The key is applying multiple thin coats and letting each cure fully—rushing it never ends well. Mine's held up fine for over two years now...maybe just lucky?
I've gotta admit, your two-year run is pretty impressive for a DIY epoxy fix. I've tried the DIY route myself a couple of times, and while I agree that patience and multiple thin coats are crucial, my results have been...mixed at best. Maybe my technique wasn't as meticulous as yours, but after about a year or so, I started noticing tiny hairline cracks creeping back in. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to bug me every time I brushed my teeth.
Honestly, I think it comes down to the type of sink and how much daily abuse it gets. If it's a guest bathroom or something that's not heavily used, DIY epoxy can definitely hold up nicely. But in a busy family bathroom—especially if you've got kids who treat sinks like jungle gyms—I'd lean towards getting it professionally refinished or replaced altogether.
Also worth considering is the aesthetic factor. DIY epoxy kits can sometimes leave a noticeable patch or slight discoloration if you're not super careful matching colors. Not a huge deal for everyone, but if you're picky about appearances (like yours truly), it might drive you nuts eventually.
All that said, your experience does make me wonder if maybe I rushed the curing process without realizing it. Patience isn't exactly my strongest virtue when it comes to home projects...maybe that's why my results weren't stellar? Either way, kudos on making it work for you—two years and counting is nothing to sneeze at.
