"What is involved in reglazing?"

"Reglazing" is actually an epoxy paint application to the surface. If the surface is reasonably intact it can produce decent results but the lifetime is limited compared to actual porcelain.
To improve paint adhesion the surface is etched with acid, then cleaned thoroughly and the paint sprayed on.
For the most part it is not a homeowner type job. The etch acid is very dangerous (it eats porcelain) and the spraying of epoxy based products requires a full cartridge face mask.

All the work can be done in place with minimal problems.
If you are sensitive to epoxies (chiefly the amines in them) you may not want to be around during the work (it does stink pretty strongly).
The surface cannot generally be scrubbed with abrasives of any kind.

If you already have rust around the drains that will be the weakest spot for the epoxy.
Even epoxy is not hermetic and can allow some moisture penetration long term. This will start the rusting again and allow the epoxy to separate from the metal.

Watch out from companies that donÂt guarantee their work. I had my bathroom reglazed by Eastern Refinishing, they did a sloppy job. When I called to complain they very rude on the phone and they hanged up on me every time I tried to call them. Their name is Charlie and Tracy. Their website is www.easternrefinishing.net. Warning!!! Do not use them!!!

When I moved into this house, it had a Harvest Gold Kohler sink. It was in good shape except for about 30 years of scratches, so I checked around for someone who could refinish it. I found lots of places which would refinish tubs, but none which would refinish and guarantee the work on kitchen sinks because of the tougher use kitchen sinks get (something about people's feet and bottoms being easier on porcelain than pots and dropped utensils).

As much as I prefer to reuse and recycle, the chemicals involved are not subtle ones and it might just be better to replace the sink.

I called last week to have my laundry room sink reglazed, just because it really needs it. I know it will be hard to find a porcelain for this area without much ado.

The owner who has done work for me in years past asked if I could hold off for a few weeks because they are trying a new product which is not so toxic and which is better on his workers and customers. He put me on a list. I did not ask the details of it as I know he will let me know when the time comes but I thought this was promising news, if it works out.

Reglazing will last maybe three years if the sink sees little or no use. If you're not moving, you will need to do this again and again.
Ron

Just had my first experience with reglazing and it is not a happy one. I purchased a condo as a rental property and discovered that the seller had spray painted some chipped areas on the kitchen sink. This was to cover up several large chips in the porcelain. I had tenants wanting to move in within a few days, so I called a reglazing company, that had gotten great reviews on Yelp. The sink looked great after reglazing. Tenant was told not to use any abrasives and to be careful not to bang the sink up with pots, etc. The reglazer gave me a one-year warranty, saying he usually gives a two-year, but only one for rentals because he said renters usually aren't as careful as homeowners.

Not quite a year later, the sink surface was peeling. My tenant was dismayed because she had been quite careful with the sink. After calling the reglazer, he said he doesn't warranty sinks! I told him I was looking at the invoice, where it said one-year warranty. Then he started backtracking, saying he no longer offers warranties on kitchen sinks because "sinks are real delicate". After quite a go-around with him, he gave me two options: sand and touch up or for another $300 he would completely redo the sink, with an "extra" primer, for more durability (but still no warranty).

I opted to do nothing at this time. It's a lot of bother to reglaze, because you are without a kitchen sink for a couple of days and then, in the end, the sink will peel again. Eventually, I will have to replace the sink.

I know people who reglaze right before they sell their property and initially it does look nice. However, after seeing how the reglazed surface fares under any kind of use, it's sort of unethical, IMHO, because reglazing a kitchen sink is strictly a cosmetic fix and in a very short while it will look bad again.

I'm in Southern California and used a company called Allin1Coatings, Rodney is the owner. He is actually a nice enough person, but, to me, the reglazing is basically a scam. You will only be happy if you never intend to actually use the reglazed sink!

DaimlerDame