Renovating a GRP sink

[machurley22]

After much googling, following up links posted here and elsewhere, visiting and 'phoning chandlers and caravan accessory shops I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that no-one makes a suitable replacement for my 34yo GRP sink.

Since it forms the first companionway step, see <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.daveprkl.supanet.com/index3.html>here,</A> installing an alternative design would be either impossible or involve an unjustifiable amount of work. The exisiting sink is functionally OK and I have finally realised that the answer is to refurbish it. Sorry for the long preamble but I really did want that nice new stainless one!

The current sink has been painted (maybe several times) with gloss paint and it looks as if it has had water on it while still wet since the paint is pitted with the remains of bubbles - not a pretty sight. A couple of questions:

Can I use Nitromors (or W.H.Y.) to strip it?

What would you recommend to recoat it?

Thanks,

Dave

PS - In case I have missed the "Wee Sinks R Us" website, the cutout for the existing sink measures 12"x11" and the corners have a 1.5" radius!

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[philmayfield]

I would use Nitromors to strip the paint and then remove all traces per the instructions. When dry I would paint with a two pack epoxy. There is a company called Renubath that specialises in bath and basin refurbishment but that would probably be overkill for your application.

Phil

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[VicS]

Use a paint stripper, Nitromors or other, that is suitble for use on grp not the ordinary one from Wick-Q-base.

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[richardabeattie]

Can't help on the sink but I had a look at the photo of your boat and others on props in the yard. Doesn't it frighten you that none of them have any diagonal bracing? The one next to you would put your sink problem into perspective if the wind vibrates out the wedges! Best of luck! Oh and I once used the renu a bath system and it did work. But not cheap.

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[machurley22]

You didn't read the text next to the photo then? Pic in question was taken immediately after she was set down. See here

Dave

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[snowleopard]

if you were prepared to replace the panel the sink sits in you could have your stainless sink. there is a type sold primarily for lorry cabs etc which is stainless, around 12" dia at the rim, shaped like a cut-off cone and around 5" deep. similar ones with drainers used to be common on boats.

i wanted a vanity unit with integral basin so i got one of these stainless jobs, cast a male mould from it, attached the mould to a sheet of contiboard then took 2 grp worktops off it, one for each hull. if you want a rectangular one, find a washing-up bowl of the right size and use that for a mould. for the size you want, a rectangular mop bucket might also make a good mould.

as you can see i have developed a lot of ingenuity working out ways of moulding bits of grp over the years. my cockpit goalposts are made from rainwater pipes, various handrails from sink waste pipes and there are bits of square-section drainpipe all over the boat. you develop a whole new view of life when you see everything in terms of what you can mould from it!

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[William_H]

Nice photos Dave. <akes me dream of doing up Howzat. will

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[Casey]

I am rebuilding the galley on my boat and it involved getting rid of the old sink (along with everything else in the galley) and obtaining new. My local chandler (since gone out of business) had several catalogues with a selection of stainless steel sinks. The one I chose was circular but the dimensions you quote were similar to my original and I could have had one like that.

The catalogue in question also had Plastimo products in it but I canniot remember whose book it was.

Hope it helps.

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[Joe_Cole]

There's a stainless sink in the West Marine catalogue which is close to that size. Cut out size 10 5/8" X 11 5/8". 5" deep. Overall size 12 3/4" 11 3/4". $42.99. Model mumber 4594198. Made by Fluid Technologies.

West Marine have a website.

It might be worth a look

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