Our house was built in the 1950's. I am almost 100% sure that the sink in the bathroom is original to the house. It is off white with gold marbled in. Pretty sure it is not porcelin. Feels almost plastic. It is a sink/counter, one piece unit. I don't have the $$ to go buy a new one, but this one is an eye sore. Help!
The people who re glaze baths may be able to help you, if you contact one in your area.
Your sink is made of cultured marble - in other words, man made. If its old, the gel coat has probably worn or was scrubbed off. My suggestion would be to monitor Craig's List - I see free sinks all the time there.
Here is the cheapest and best way I can think of. Lighly sand the surface with 110 grit sandpaper. Paint it. Put about 3 coats of polyurethane on. NOTE: This is only temporary fix. When you can replace the sink.
I've been remodeling bathrooms and kitchens for 40 years and have yet to see anyones painting of a tub or sink last more than a couple of months, less if you have kids. It WILL eventually peel off. If you really want to throw away some good money pay one of these scam artists who claim their refinishing jobs are guaranteed for 5 years, and see how much those words are worth on a piece of paper when in 6 months at most it all peels off and you have to start looking for their fly-by-night a**es. Get rid of it, save the valves, pick up one on Craigslist for free sometimes, or at the most $20, and put that funky thing into the past where it belongs. Also, scratches in plastic, which are too easy to get, are what soapscum and other grunge like the best, sticking to them like glue.
ok, i dont recomend it, but they sale an epoxy paint kit that works well on tile pocelin etc. there are several problems though. first of all, on an area like a sink that gets heavy use, i have very little confidence that the stuff will hold up. i do feel it works like on wall tile or whatever. but a tub or a sink...i dunno. i have used it before on old bathrooms on the tile and been very happy with results. the other problem is, it takes two to three days to do it right. you have to sand the area, apply a pre thing-a-ma-jig, let that set up, sand, paint, let that set up, sand, and re apply. if you want to give it a try, they sell epoxy paint for tile at any good hardware store. give it a try and let me know! i think the kit is about 20 bux or so. GL with it. i have had great results with this stuff on wall tile and it may be a good temp fix for you too. they sale it saying you can do tubs and sinks...but i have doubts due to usage, but check it out. epoxy paint refinishing kit.
