Making a galvanized tub into a sink.

Question

Has anyone ever done this?  What did you do to prevent rust?  I'm losing my mind trying to find a bathroom sink deep enough, wide enough, and sturdy enough.

I detest 'hammered' which is what all the non-stainless sinks seem to be, and, well, nothing else is speaking to me.  I'm considering this but want to do it as wisely as possible.  Got the tubs, faucets, and vanity, now just something to put the water in!

Don't worry.  While posting this I'm already researching Pinterest, etc.  But here's a photo from Pinterest for my idea.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mish Volonino · Answer

I love this. I love any galvanized, aged thingie

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Love the rustic look but I cannot find any info on the how tos just a lot of photos.

B. Enne · Answer

Read comments in the 1st link about rust: http://craftystaci.com/2014/10/08/galvanized-tub-sink-and-watering-can-faucet/ http://www.interiorholic.com/decorating/handmade/using-buckets-as-sinks/ http://bonnieplants.com/library/build-outdoor-sink/ http://journeyof2oldsouls.tumblr.com/post/103750733346/sinks-sinks-and-more http://www.wisementrading.com/washing/wash_tubs.htm

Jennifer · Answer

I love this idea and if I ever get my bathroom redone I am going to do this for the sinks. I have had the old water pump for awhile waiting.

Christine · Answer

That's the thing. :) 
I have my faucet, too. Bought it about 5 years ago and still love it! It's a bronze color, so I'd like to color the galvanized steel a little bit, too. (Rub 'n buff?) I love the pictures online, but the hows and whys and instructions are lacking. Perhaps because I'm over thinking it?

Linda Weaver · Answer

We made a bathroom sink out an enameled pan. I would think your bucket would be a similar install. The main problem is that the drain 'grate' is higher than the bottom of the pan. Regular sinks have a depression for the 'grate'. We manage as it is in a seldom used 1/2 bath. Basically we punched a hole in the bottom using a manual electrical sheet metal punch. It consists of a die and hollow punch with a threaded rod through the middle. You drill a hole through the pan, stick the threaded rod through it, place the die on the bottom of the pan and the punch on the top surface. Hold one end of the rod and turn a nut down on the other end driving the punch into the die. After that just add a drain tail stock and finish the drain plumbing.

Christine · Answer

Linda, that make sense. I was trying to figure out how to drill something that would fit my drain thingy. I read online somewhere, that someone did dent down the area where the drain was going to go. That's a detail that had never entered my mind. I'm glad you, too, mentioned it. 
I'm twirling this around in my noggin. Might not happen right away, but I'll figure it out! 
Thanks for the help.

Terese Davis · Answer

This would make a wonderful outdoor sink, too. There are always big things to wash in the garden.

Tag4reel · Answer

I'm not sure if you found the answer to it rusting or not but I did find that it takes several years for anything galvanized to rust. This is apparently do to a process in coating it. It did mention though once its scratched deep enough the rusting will occur. The only time I could see this happening would be when you drilled & bent the area for your drain. Maybe taping the area while it's being bent may help? But when you silicone the drain in that should help seal the immediate area.

Christine · Answer

I think you're right, @Tracy Gilbert That was my thought, too. 
I am finding that most of my ideas seem to be right on target, which is reassuring. I appreciate you all taking the time to write.

CK · Answer

From Ask.com ---Galvanized metal does rust eventually, but it can take decades. Metal is galvanized by adding a thin layer of zinc to its surface. The zinc forms a barrier between atmospheric oxygen and the underlying iron or steel. This generally prevents rust.

I know from experience growing up on a ranch, galvanized buckets & tubs are used because they don't rust quickly. Dent? Yes with enough force...like a cow pushing up against it or stepping on a bucket. But I doubt your indoor use will create that issue ;-)

Hunter Hampton · Answer

I used a teak salad bowl to make a sink in my Airstream. I used a Forstner bit to make the lip for the hole for the drain. They make boats out of teak and it works well.

Christine · Answer

Hunter, what an absolutely great idea for all those 70s and 80s salad bowls! 
I'm always open to suggestion, so now in my Reuse Travels, I'll be looking at these bowls with a different eye. Yours is a perfect shape! Thanks for writing.

Rhonda Ann Cox · Answer

how would you add a drain to this? it doesn't have a flat bottom?

Kaycia Woolsey · Answer

I need some advice! I would like to use this pail for my whiskey barrel sink. It is the perfect size for what I need and my mother used this pail on her farm, so it has sentimental value as well. It does, however, already have a small amount of rust on it. Is there some kind of clear coat used on metal that I can paint over it to help prevent it from rusting further? Or do you think it will be ok like that?

This is my first time making a tub into a sink, so ANY advice will be appreciated!

Shysue · Answer

I can tell you the pail will not show rust for awhile. When we built our house, we made a sink out of a galvanized pail and it hasn't rusted yet after 30 years!

Making a galvanized tub into a sink.

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