Can You Paint A Stainless Steel Sink?

Stainless steel sinks are beautiful, durable, and practical. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and styles. If you want to give your kitchen a new look, then you might be considering painting your stainless steel sink.

Though you might be doubting whether or not it is even possible to paint a stainless steel sink. After all, the material does seem a great deal more difficult to paint.

So if you are interested in trying to revamp your kitchen by painting your stainless steel sink but are not sure if it is possible, then you've come to the right place. 

In this guide, we are going to look at whether or not it is possible to paint a stainless steel sink.

Is It Possible To Paint A Stainless Steel Sink?

The short answer is yes! Painting a stainless steel sink is actually very easy to do as long as you have the correct tools and know what you're doing. Though many think that painting stainless steel isn't possible because it has hard chromium, there is a way to paint it.

In fact, most people say that you paint stainless steel in the same way that you paint any other type of steel. 

How To Paint Stainless Steel Sink

So now that we know it is possible to paint a stainless steel sink, we are going to walk you through a method for painting the stainless steel sink. 

The Paint

The tricky thing about stainless steel sinks is that they are non-porous. Whilst this is great for the purpose of the sink, when it comes to painting the sink this makes it a little bit more difficult. This is due to the fact that a lot of paints will not adhere to the surface of a stainless steel sink. 

This means you really have to think about the best type of paint for you to use. The other thing to consider is getting a primer to coat the sink first. This will ensure the paint sticks to the primer. In order for the paint to work, the preparation has to be immaculate. 

What You Will Need

Before you get started, here is a list of items you will need in order to make sure painting your sink goes smoothly.

• 150 grit sandpaper
• 220 grit sandpaper
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Metal etching primer
• Two-part epoxy paint or any stainless steel paint
• Painters tape
• Screwdriver
• Floor covers

Step One

The first step to painting a stainless steel sink is to remove it. Removing the sink will make painting the sink a lot easier. It is a good idea to turn off your water supply when removing the sink.

When removing the sink from the wall, you should always take care to protect yourself from the sharp edges on the sink. Once you have removed the sink from the wall you will need to clean it thoroughly. When the sink is nice and clean you should lay it down on top of your floor covers. 

Step Two

The next step depends on what condition your sink is in. If your stainless steel sink is quite old then it is time to sandpaper your sink. You want to take the 150 grit sandpaper and start rubbing the sink until it looks like new again. Make sure you wear gloves while sanding so that you don't scratch your hands too much. 

If your sink is newer then you can skip this step. However, if you decide to skip this step then you will need to prime the sink before you begin painting. This is done by using the metal etching primer which will help the paint stick to the sink.

Then you would take the 220 grit sandpaper and start to roughen the primed surface of the sink. 

When it comes to sanding your stainless steel sink, it depends on what you feel comfortable doing. Some people have found they have not had any problems sanding their new sink. 

Step Three

The next step is to clean the sink. The last thing you want when putting a coat of primer on is to find that you are sticking dirt and dust to the surface of your sink. Simply wash the sink with some dish soap and water then dry with a washcloth. 

Step Four

Now it is time to prime your sink. How you apply the primer will affect how smooth the primer is. The best way to apply primer to ensure that your stainless steel sink's surface is smooth is by using a spray primer.

You can either get a primer that comes in a spray can or you can purchase a spraying machine. This also impacts how even the coat of primer is. 

You need to make sure the primer is completely dry before painting. In order for your new paint color to pop, the primer you use should be white. However, if you are opting for a dark color you can use a darker primer. 

Step Five 

It is time to begin painting. When it comes to painting your stainless steel sink, we recommend using spray paint rather than applying paint with a brush. This will leave the surface of your sink nice and smooth. It also ensures that you are applying an even thickness of paint all over your sink. 

To get the best results when painting, it is recommended to work in thin coats. Apply an even coat all over the sink and wait for it to dry. Once it has dried you can then apply another coat of the paint. 

Step Six

Now that you have painted the sink and it has dried, the last step is to add some wax. Wax helps to seal the paint and prevent it from peeling. To do this simply rub the wax into the sink with a cloth. You can use a rag or you can use a sponge. Just make sure you wipe away excess wax after.

You can also use an acrylic sealer before applying the wax to seal the paint to make sure the paint does not chip or peel. 

Final Thoughts

So yes, you can paint a stainless steel sink. It may take you longer than normal but it is possible. Following these simple steps will help you to revamp your sink at home without having to buy a new one. 

We hope that this article helped you learn more about how to paint a stainless steel sink. Please share this article with others that might find this article useful. Thank you for reading!