How to Paint a Sink, a DIY Bathroom Project Your Budget Will Love!

Recently I shared on Facebook that we were doing a makeover on our powder room, aka the “World’s Smallest Bathroom”.  The project I was most excited about was the sink.  I had wondered how to paint a sink so I did a little research and found a product that would do it.  Since the paint kit was only around $25, we decided to try it.  Then if it didn’t work we’d just rip out the sink and put in a new one.  Here’s what my nasty old bathroom sink looked like BEFORE the countertop makeover.

Here’s a little video I took of what the sink looked like BEFORE I painted it:

This post contains affiliate links.  You won’t pay any more when you use these but I will earn a small commission on any purchases you make after clicking on them and I greatly appreciate it.  Thanks for helping support my little blog!!!

{{{ Sign up for my DIY/home decor email list & have all my future projects sent straight to your inbox! }}}

How to Paint a Sink

• Rust-Oleum Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit
• 4″ paint roller
• 1″ paint brush or sponge brush
• painters tape
• scraper to remove caulk
• Comet or other scrubbing powder cleanser
• Lime-Away
• scouring pad
• sponges and plenty of paper towels!
• 400-600 wet/dry sandpaper
• tack cloth
• bucket

Bikeman removed the faucet for me.  Here’s another close up of the nastiness!  I think the one-piece sink/countertop and the handle were both original to our townhouse, built in the mid 1970s!  I was NOT feeling good about painting at this point.

The most important thing about painting a bathroom sink is the prep work!  Painting was actually pretty easy but these steps take time.  I think I spent about 1 1/2 hours cleaning the sink before I even started painting.

First remove all the old caulk.

Place a bucket under the sink.  Scrub with Comet.  Rinse off.  Clean with Lime-Away.  Rinse off.   Then sand, sand, sand.  Rinse and wipe down with tack cloth.  

Now the scary part.  BEFORE painting make sure you open all your windows, turn on the exhaust fan, and aim a fan at you to get fresh air.  This paint STINKS!!!!  I can’t emphasize that enough.  Don’t paint with kids or pets in the room.  Seriously.  It stinks.  I mean it…

Mix the 2 part epoxy paint together, following instructions.  The instructions say it can be rolled, brushed, or sprayed.  I chose a 4″ mini roller and a 1″ foam brush to get the corners.

The paint is much thinner than I expected it to be.  Aim for 2-3 THIN coats and be ready for it to look BAD after the first coat.  

Here’s what my first coat looked like.  Not even, but it’s a self-leveling paint.  It looked much better after it dried.  But definitely needed more than one coat.

See the difference?

The curved sink was a little bit of a challenge but between the roller and foam brush I managed to get it all covered.  

Here it is after 3 thin coats.

And here it is all caulked and finished!  What do you think?  I’m glad I spent the time figuring how how to paint a sink!

My review?  I love it… so far.  I want to reserve the right to change my opinion after I see how the bathtub paint kit wears.  But I’ve heard good things from other users — IF you do the prep!!!  

That, plus this is in our guest bathroom that doesn’t get daily use.  

I’ll keep you updated on how it holds up.  Keep watching the blog for our complete powder room reveal!  Sign up for our Home DIY email list if you want to get them sent straight to you!

If you enjoyed this countertop makeover, you might also like these:

• How to Paint Bathroom Cabinets – COMING SOON
• $100 Powder Room Makeover Reveal – COMING SOON
• How to Organize a Small Farmhouse Bathroom
• 17 Clever Ideas for Small Bathrooms
• 4 Quick and Easy DIY Bathroom Ideas

Thanks for reading!  Got any questions about how to paint a sink?  Leave ’em in the comments.

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Etsy | YouTube

We link to these blog parties.