The Fibreglass Kitchen Sink

[minicamper]

Hey Guys,

I am making reasonable progress on Olive and, with the exception of the water tank, have a functioning kitchen.
The sink was painted by the previous owner, bright red.
On Sunday I tackled removing this by brushing on paint stripper and immediately neutralising it to prevent damage to the fibreglass.

This worked pretty well, but with age, it has the expected surface scratches. Unfortunately, the red paint has "stained" the scratches.



Anyone got any ideas on improving the appearance?

Cheers
Chris

[DC3Td]

Looks like a job for the Mighty Atog,Master of the Fibre Universe.cheers gordon

[atouchofglass]

Hi Gents

If it is fibreglass and the finish is gelcoat

Have you tried Acetone?

Try it in a less obvious place like on an edge that is hidden
If it doesn't affect the finish....... give the red stains a go and see

Acetone won't affect gelcoat or fibreglass

Apply with a rag or similar

Unfortunately red is a damned hard colour to remove



Cheers
Atog

[minicamper]

Thanks ATOG, I'm pretty sure it is fibreglass so will give it a crack with acetone..

Cheers
Chris

[HDTodd]

Hi Chris,
If that doesn't work you can also try Brasso. I polish all sorts of plastic stuff (even the tail lights on my cars) with it and it always makes things look brand new. The abrasiveness doesn't scratch and might help get the red out.
Todd

[humpty2]

I don't think those sinks are fibreglass......it is a plastic sink I think you will find. I have one in my Carlight (cream) and one in my Teardrop which is Red.
I have tried abrasives ( car polish ) on the red one with no luck and I would try the acetone out on the underneath side first.
I haven't had a go at the cream sink yet.

[JBJ]

Hi Humpty,

Our Purdon van had a plastic sink, like your vans.

Totally different to Fibreglass in every way.

I dont believe acetone is likely to do anything. Maybe try concentrated paint stripper on the back of the sink on a small area to see if you get a reaction on the surface.

If it doesnt affect the surface, try a light rub on the scratch, leave it a while, followed by a wash down.

Hopefully that might get the colour out, then try buffing it smooth to remove scratches.

I would try fine sandpaper on the scratches, then if they can be rubbed out, finish the marks off same as you would a scratch in your cars paint.

Someone suggested Brasso I think. It sometimes works, so does Gumption, & most fine pastes with an abrasive base.

The final option is to repaint the sink I guess

JBJ

[humpty2]

I believe you can get a small quantity 2 pack paint specifically for painting sinks and baths in any colour you want.
I've tried to buff the red sink on the TD with cutting compound with no luck so far, both were badly stained.
So what are you going to do Chris??

[minicamper]

I have no idea!

My reservation with painting was that its a sink and therefore is likely to get scratched, the surface would need to cope with immersion, detergent and temperatures..

[humpty2]

The paint I am talking about is a 2 pack, which would have the same qualities as fibreglass.

[heath]

Hi Chris,

Good luck with the sink. If you have to paint it, you may consider one of the top brand heatproof auto exhaust pipe/header enamels. They come in a spray can and would cope with the various temperature changes that are usually thrown at a kitchen sink.

Cheers,

Heath