A different application for ceramic paint coatings

[Brandon Thill]

So all these modern ceramic coatings for cars has me intrigued. Then a lightbulb went off the other day after I installed a new stainless sink as part of my kitchen remodel. We have super hard water and it makes stainless look like #### quickly. What would prevent me from coating it with one of these ceramic coatings? What coating would be best to use?

[Bill Dufour]

The deposits will just build up on the coating instead of the metal. A tip is to not let standing water evaporate. dry the sink after reach use.
Bil lD

[Wayne Lomman]

Ceramic coatings, despite the hype, do not retain a good appearance with the impacts and abrasions associated with dish washing. You are much better off maintaining your stainless steel. Coatings for cars are designed to be looked at, not touched, knocked and generally used. I don't recommend you do this but have a go if you wish. Follow the coating manufacturers tech data sheet but expect to need to abrasive blast for surface preparation and use all the specified primers etc. The abrasive blast will need to be done with care. Sheet steel of the gauge used in sinks etc will warp catastrophically if blasted by the unskilled. Cheers

[Brandon Thill]

I'm not so much looking for abrasion resistance, just deposit control. And even there, I assume they will build up on the coating, but my thought is that they would be easier to remove. Modern paint sealants don't let things "stick" well to them, easy to wash off. AFAIK ceramic coatings aren't any worse in this area. So it's not paint being coated, how does that impact things? Does anyone have real understanding of these compounds?

[Wayne Lomman]

You may not be looking for abrasion resistance but the reality is that a sink is subjected to a great deal of abrasion. It comes back to the paints you are talking about are not designed for the environment you are looking at. As an example Intersleek repels everything, even barnacles but it is not for this job either. The best option is to either treat your water before it reaches the house or regularly polish the stainless. Protective and industrial coating specialist at your service. Cheers

[Brandon Thill]

Any particular polish/cleaner that is recommended? I've flirted with the idea of getting a softener, but not in the cards for awhile I think.

[Mike Chance in Iowa]

Bar Keeper's Friend works excellent on stainless steel and porcelain. I have tried the newer liquid versions, the powder form is still the best. Bon Ami does a decent job, but there is a lot more scrubbing compared to Bar Keeper's Friend. You will often find it in the cleaning aisle with dish soaps, but can also be found where bathroom cleaning supplies are located. Prices vary greatly from store to store. With my limited stores nearby, the big W store carries it the cheapest and in larger containers.

[Lee DeRaud]

Bar Keeper's Friend works excellent on stainless steel and porcelain. I have tried the newer liquid versions, the powder form is still the best. Bon Ami does a decent job, but there is a lot more scrubbing compared to Bar Keeper's Friend. You will often find it in the cleaning aisle with dish soaps, but can also be found where bathroom cleaning supplies are located. Prices vary greatly from store to store. With my limited stores nearby, the big W store carries it the cheapest and in larger containers.

Oddly enough the only place I've ever seen Bar Keeper's Friend is Home Depot.

(I admit I avoid the 'W' store like the plague.)

[Ruperto Mendiones]

How about good old fashioned water filters and a softener--perhaps supplying only your sink?

[Patrick Irish]

The coating industry is evolving constantly. They're even ceramic coating bullets now. Ceramic coating over a lead bullet to be precise. Cheaper than copper full metal jacket and has the same velocities.

I wished I ceramic coated my headers when I was fixing up my '69 Mach 1 mustang in high school. When time and funds come back I will.