Q: Do you think powder coating a sink is a good idea, given that you do not know what types of cleaners will be used on it (for instance, bleach and bleach-based cleaners)? What about when they take a scouring pad to it? Won’t the gloss be knocked down? Your thoughts?
A: Most powder coatings will not stand up to the abuse that the finish of a sink will see. There is some technology that has been used on washer tops and lids for over 20 years. These products resist bleach and detergents and provide rather decent scratch resistance. We called them “porcelain enamel replacement” technology when they were introduced back then.
Will they perform as well as porcelain enamel? In some ways better; in other ways, not as good. These powders have extraordinary alkali resistance (detergents are typically alkaline) – in fact, better than porcelain. They also have superior flexibility. You won’t see any chipping or cracking. However, porcelain enamel has better scratch and abrasion resistance.
I would say that the powder products would provide a very good surface if abrasive cleaners (e.g., old fashioned cleanser) were avoided. Theoretically, a simple condition but difficult to exclude in the real world.