I had a similar issue a while back, and honestly, I think the DIY kits can be pretty decent if you go slow and follow instructions carefully. I used one on my old porcelain sink—here's what I did, step-by-step, in case it helps anyone else:
First off, thoroughly cleaned and dried the area around the crack. Any moisture or dirt left behind can mess up adhesion later, so don't skip this step.
Next, sanded down the cracked area gently with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. This helps the epoxy bond better.
Then I applied the epoxy filler from the kit carefully. The key here is patience—thin layers work best. Applied one thin layer, let it dry completely (usually overnight), lightly sanded again, then repeated until it was level with the rest of the sink surface.
Finally, used the included finishing paint to blend it in. Matching color exactly was tricky... mine ended up slightly off-white compared to the original porcelain color. But honestly, after a couple of weeks, I stopped noticing it as much.
Your comment about noticing imperfections every time you're washing dishes totally resonates with me though... at first it drove me nuts too! But over time I started seeing those little imperfections as part of living sustainably—repairing instead of replacing always feels good environmentally and financially. Plus, it's kinda satisfying knowing you fixed something yourself rather than tossing it out and buying new.
And yeah, stainless steel sinks definitely have their charm too. My parents' sink is covered in tiny scratches from years of use—but somehow that just makes their kitchen feel warm and lived-in. Porcelain can be fussier for sure... but hey, even if your repair isn't perfect, it's still way better than replacing an entire sink just because of one crack.
Anyway, good luck with whatever route you choose—either way you're doing something positive by fixing rather than replacing.
Your step-by-step breakdown is spot-on from a professional standpoint. DIY kits can definitely do the trick if you're patient and careful, exactly as you described. Matching porcelain colors is always a bit tricky though—I've seen plenty of repairs that were slightly off color-wise, but honestly, most homeowners stop noticing after a while. Good on you for choosing repair over replacement; it's smart, practical, and environmentally responsible.
I totally get the appeal of DIY kits, especially from an eco-friendly perspective—repairing instead of replacing is always the better route. But I gotta ask, have you considered the durability factor long-term? Matching colors is one thing, but I've seen a few DIY porcelain repairs that looked great initially and then started chipping or cracking again after a year or two. Maybe it's the prep work or the quality of the kit itself... not sure. Have you looked into epoxy-based solutions at all? They're usually tougher and can handle daily wear and tear a bit better, though admittedly they're trickier to apply smoothly. Just something to keep in mind if longevity matters to you as much as aesthetics.
"Maybe it's the prep work or the quality of the kit itself... not sure."
Yeah, prep work is definitely key—learned that the hard way when I tried fixing our bathroom sink last year. Thought I'd nailed it, looked perfect for about six months, then boom... hairline cracks started creeping back in. Switched to an epoxy-based solution after that, and honestly, it's held up pretty well since. Bit trickier to get smooth, sure, but nothing a little patience (and a lot of sanding 😅) can't handle.
I've had mixed luck with epoxy myself. A couple years back, I tackled a similar issue on a porcelain sink. Did the whole nine yards—cleaned, sanded, applied carefully, and thought I was golden. About a year later, though, tiny cracks started showing again. I suspect temperature swings might've played a role, since that bathroom gets pretty cold in winter.
Makes me wonder if material compatibility matters more than we realize. Maybe certain epoxy formulas just bond better with specific sink materials? Or could it be the thickness of the application itself? Curious if anyone else has noticed differences based on sink type or epoxy brand...
