Couldn’t agree more about the “white” situation—my last attempt to patch a chip, I ended up with three different shades and none of them matched the rest of the sink. I totally get wanting to DIY, but with bigger cracks, I always worry about water sneaking in and causing mold or damage underneath. If you go the kit route, just double-check that it’s non-toxic and safe for kitchen/bathroom use. Sometimes it’s worth paying a bit more for peace of mind, especially if you’ve got kids or pets around. That said, a little “character” never hurt anyone… my kitchen’s full of it.
Yeah, matching whites is a nightmare—there’s always that weird undertone or shine that stands out once it dries. I’ve seen folks try to save a few bucks with DIY kits, but if the crack’s deep enough, water finds its way in eventually. Had a client once who thought they fixed it, but six months later, the cabinet underneath was all warped and moldy. Sometimes paying for a pro upfront really does save you from bigger headaches down the line.
Had a client once who thought they fixed it, but six months later, the cabinet underneath was all warped and moldy.
That’s the thing—water always finds the tiniest path. I’ve seen folks swear by those epoxy kits, but unless you’re really meticulous (and lucky with the color match), it’s tough to get a seamless fix. I remember a kitchen job where the homeowner patched a hairline crack themselves. Looked fine for a while, but after a couple of freeze-thaw cycles, the crack spread like a spiderweb. Ended up costing more to replace the whole sink and repair the water damage than if they’d just called someone in the first place.
Curious—has anyone actually had a DIY kit hold up for more than a year or two? Or is it always just a temporary band-aid? I’ve only ever seen them buy time, not solve the problem for good.
Honestly, you nailed it—those kits are just a stopgap in my experience. I’ve had tenants try to “fix” cracks with epoxy, and maybe it holds for a few months, but sooner or later, the leak comes back. The hidden water damage is what really gets you. Once cabinets start swelling or you see mold, it’s already a bigger headache. I’d rather bite the bullet and get it fixed right the first time... ends up cheaper in the long run.
I get where you're coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with the higher-end epoxy kits—like, the ones that come with reinforcing mesh and not just the squeeze tube stuff. If you prep the area right and really follow the instructions, it can hold up for a couple years, especially on hairline cracks. That said, anything bigger than a tiny crack or if you’re seeing swelling? Yeah, at that point, you’re just delaying the inevitable. Still, sometimes you just need to buy a little time until a full replacement fits the budget.
