I get the temptation to patch it up, especially if you’re trying to avoid tossing a whole sink in the landfill. I tried a “green” epoxy kit once—looked great for about six months, then the crack came back even wider. Maybe if it’s a tiny hairline and you’re gentle, but honestly, most of these fixes just buy you time. If you do go DIY, at least try to use something low-VOC and eco-friendly. Otherwise, I’d lean toward replacing it with something durable and maybe even secondhand if you can find one. Less waste, less hassle down the line.
Maybe if it’s a tiny hairline and you’re gentle, but honestly, most of these fixes just buy you time.
That’s been my experience too. I’ve seen folks pour money and effort into patching up cracks, only to end up replacing the sink anyway. If it’s a small, non-structural crack, sure, a kit might hold for a bit. But once water gets in there, expansion and contraction just make things worse. I get wanting to avoid waste, but sometimes a solid secondhand replacement is actually the greener move in the long run.
I get wanting to avoid waste, but sometimes a solid secondhand replacement is actually the greener move in the long run.
I’ve tried both routes over the years—patching and replacing. Honestly, I’ve never had a repair kit last more than a year, even with the tiniest cracks. The sealant always seems to peel or discolor, and tenants notice. Once water gets under the surface, it’s just a matter of time before you’re dealing with leaks or even mold.
I get the appeal of a quick fix, especially if you’re between tenants or on a tight budget. But in my experience, it’s usually just kicking the can down the road. I’ve picked up used sinks from salvage yards or Habitat for Humanity ReStores for less than the cost of some of those “miracle” repair kits. Plus, swapping out a sink isn’t as big a job as people think—especially if the plumbing’s in decent shape.
That said, I’ve seen a couple of folks have luck with epoxy on porcelain, but only for hairline cracks that aren’t near the drain or faucet. Anything bigger, or if it’s in a high-use spot, it’s probably not worth the hassle.
Curious if anyone’s actually had a repair last more than a year or two? I keep hoping someone’s found a magic product, but I haven’t seen it yet. Maybe I’m just too skeptical after all these years...
Curious if anyone’s actually had a repair last more than a year or two? I keep hoping someone’s found a magic product, but I haven’t seen it yet.
I’ve wondered the same thing. I tried one of those “miracle” kits on a chipped bathroom sink, and it looked okay for about six months—then the patch started to yellow and peel like a bad sunburn. Not exactly the look I was going for. Maybe I just didn’t have the patience for all the sanding and buffing they recommend?
I do like the idea of picking up a used sink from a salvage place, though. Feels way less wasteful than buying new, and you can sometimes find some pretty funky vintage stuff if you’re into that. Has anyone ever tried resurfacing an entire sink instead of just patching? I’ve seen some wild before-and-afters online, but I’m skeptical about how well that holds up with daily use. Is it just another short-term fix, or does it actually last?
I actually tried resurfacing a whole sink once, using one of those epoxy kits. Looked amazing for maybe eight months, then the finish started to chip around the drain and faucet area. Not sure if I messed up the prep or if it’s just not meant for heavy use. Has anyone had better luck with pro resurfacing? I keep thinking maybe it’s worth the cost if it actually lasts...
