How to Refinish Porcelain Enamel Coating
Porcelain refinishing transforms older appliances and tubs, giving them a new look. Most items made of cast iron use this form for restoration. Porcelain enamel fuses powdered glass by high-temperature firing. The powder melts into a hard, smooth coating that is heat, scratch and stain resistant. The process of refinishing porcelain enamel coating requires removing the old finish with acid and then spraying on a fresh coat of porcelain primer and enamel paint. If you are restoring an appliance or refinishing a cast iron tub, porcelain enamel coating may provide your antique new life.
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic tarps
- Plastic tape
- Respirator
- Goggles
- Long sleeve shirt
- Hydrofluoric acid
- Scrub brush
- Water
- Paint sprayer
- Porcelain primer
- Enamel paint designed for porcelain
- High-gloss polyurethane glaze
Instructions
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Clean the porcelain surface thoroughly. Depending on what you are refinishing, you may need to remove some hardware. You should take off anything removable, such as bath fixtures or knobs. Cover the area with plastic tarp and protect things on the surface not made of porcelain with plastic.
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Protect yourself with a respirator and goggles. You should wear long sleeves and rubber gloves.
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Brush on hydrofluoric acid with a scrub brush. Be cautious when using this substances; it is corrosive. Coat the porcelain areas. The acid will eat away the old finish. Leave the hydrofluoric acid on for 15 minutes then rinse the area with cool water and let dry.
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Use a paint sprayer to apply porcelain primer. Spray in a thin, even coat to avoid drips and cover the porcelain completely. Let the primer dry. It should take around 30 minutes; follow the instructions on the primer you've purchased.
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Use the paint sprayer and cover the surface with a topcoat of paint and high-gloss polyurethane. Let the paint dry for several days before reattaching the hardware.
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References
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Comments
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Whoa! Easy with the hydrofluoric acid! Take extreme care not to get any of this on you as it passes through the skin before it starts messin' you up. It will attack bones and free calcium and magnesium ions--it's a real doozy of a toxic tiger. Definitely wouldn't recommend brushing it as that usually involves errant sprays onto your skin. Just apply gently and let the chemistry do the work. Anyone know if there is anything else that might dissolve the finish?
