I get the argument for full replacement, but I think it’s a bit overkill for every crack. Like you said,
Honestly, I’ve used one of those liquid porcelain kits on a hairline crack in my bathroom sink. It’s not invisible, but it’s held up for almost a year—no leaks, no spreading. Maybe it depends on how well you prep the surface and how deep the crack is? I’d rather live with a faint line than shell out for a whole new sink right away.“DIY kits are okay for a quick fix if you don’t mind seeing the repair line every time you walk by.”
“It’s not invisible, but it’s held up for almost a year—no leaks, no spreading.”
Honestly, that’s pretty solid for a DIY kit. I’ve seen folks panic over the tiniest crack, but if it’s not leaking or getting worse, why rush to replace the whole thing? Prepping the surface is key, like you said. I once skipped the sanding step and the patch peeled off in a week... lesson learned. Sometimes a faint line is just the price of saving a few hundred bucks.
“Sometimes a faint line is just the price of saving a few hundred bucks.”
Couldn’t agree more with that. People often expect a DIY fix to look like nothing ever happened, but in reality, it’s about function first. As long as there’s no leak and the crack isn’t getting worse, you’ve done the main job.
I see a lot of failures when folks skip surface prep—cleaning and sanding really do make or break these repairs. It’s not just about sticking on some epoxy and hoping for the best. I usually recommend letting the area dry overnight before applying anything, especially if it’s a bathroom sink where moisture lingers.
One thing I’d add: keep an eye on temperature changes. Sometimes, expansion and contraction can stress a patch, especially in older porcelain. If you notice any spreading or discoloration around the repair, that’s when I’d reconsider calling in a pro. But honestly, if it’s holding up after a year... you probably did it right.
That’s a good point about temperature swings—people forget how much stress that puts on these old sinks. I’ve seen repairs hold up for months and then suddenly fail in winter when the bathroom gets chilly. Prepping the surface is huge, but I’d also say don’t skimp on the quality of the repair kit either. Some of those bargain kits just don’t bond well, especially if there’s any lingering moisture. If you’re seeing a faint line and no leaks after a year, you’re probably fine... but if it starts to feel rough or looks like it’s spreading, that’s when I’d get concerned.
If you’re seeing a faint line and no leaks after a year, you’re probably fine...
Had a similar situation in one of my rentals—hairline crack, no leaks for ages. Used a mid-range kit, prepped like crazy, but it still failed after the first cold snap. I’m convinced some of these older sinks just don’t play nice with DIY fixes, no matter how careful you are. If it’s a high-traffic bathroom, I usually just bite the bullet and call in a pro. Cheaper in the long run than dealing with water damage down the line.
