Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Dec 14, 2004 06:41am | #1

   It's very likely that sanding has damaged the porcelain. Porcelain enamel is a melted glass surface covering that is fired in a furnace. Once the glazed coat is broken, the surface becomes porous leading to rust. The old Comet and Ajax cleaners Mom used to clean everything with was death for porcelain.

   The new refinish systems use a two part polyurethane/epoxy. These should be done by an experienced pro, there's a lot of prep and polishing. You need the right spray and safety equipment. It can last 15 yrs. or more if cleaned properly, no bleach or abrasives. Just be careful of dropping things or attaching fixtures that can scratch or chip.

   Glass can be polished but the abrasives get to the 30,000 range. Each step up is more work than the one before it seems. I don't know if it will work with porcelain but you could try 3M Finesse II compound with a low speed auto buffer. If it starts to rust later you can call the refinisher.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
1. 
   donpapenburg | Dec 14, 2004 07:16am | #2

   I think that it will have to be refired to melt the porcelain ,as it cools it will shine again.

1. 
   HeavyDuty | Dec 14, 2004 07:31am | #3

   Porcelain is done in more than one coat, typically a minimun of one base and one glaze. Depending how much of the glaze he took off, if he is not down to the bisc (the base coat/coats) he can get to a gloss almost as new with some polishing wheels especially made for polishing porcelain. If he is down to the bisc, he can still polish it up pretty good depending on the porosity of tha bisc. But as Hammer said the bisc is porous and it stains more easily than glaze. In the case of cast iron, rust will eventually show.

2. 
   hammer1 | Dec 14, 2004 05:43pm | #6

   I've only heard of one company that can re-fire. Of course you have to remove the tub and ship it, Ohio, I think. The price was around $1400 for the re-firing. Add in tearing out and reinstalling, not to mention getting those heavy monsters out of the bath and on a truck, and you are going to spend some serious coin. Having them refinished in place is much less expensive and eliminates the moving.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   4Lorn1 | Dec 14, 2004 08:37am | #4

   Once he gets it smoothed out sufficiently perhaps might there be some kind of penetrating sealer that could be used to eliminate the porosity of the deglazed porcelain?Oil doesn't sound right and would likely darken the finish or make it translucent. Wax? A thin acrylic? Hmmm. Don't know.

2. 
   robzan | Dec 14, 2004 08:41am | #5

   Try waxing it with a good carnuba wax. An old plumber taught me that. You have to re-do it occasionally but it worked on my old kitchen sink. RZ

1. 
   aimless | Dec 14, 2004 07:37pm | #7

   I'm sure that works, but it just brought to mind the Three Stooges on a newly waxed floor.  When Grandma steps in to take a shower, look out!

1. 
   robzan | Dec 15, 2004 07:15am | #8

   whoop whoop!! I didn't think of that. I have just used it on a sink...maybe sand mixed in? Yuck Yuck Yuck.