Asked on Jun 10, 2017

How to Repair oil rubbed bronze sink drains?

The finish has completely come off of some of my oil rubbed bronze sink drains and others are just dulled. Any ideas of how to make these look better without replacing? I have searched the Internet and read about darkening metal to look like oil rubbed bronze. These appear to be chrome underneath. I've thought of trying to paint them. The sinks are composite set into granite. I would need to consider damaging the sink with whatever I did.

  7 answers
  • Sandra Cifor Sandra Cifor on Jun 10, 2017

    Home depot has rubbed bronze metal stain. We used it, it will come off again but can paint it again.

  • Linda Barrett Dirksen Linda Barrett Dirksen on Jun 10, 2017

    Hi, You can do this! Tape around the drain with good quality masking tape with plastic or other covering to protect your sink. Lightly sand the metal drain, wipe off off thoroughly. Prime the metal with a Rust-Oleum type paint with a spray can or brush. Let dry as directed, cover again. Let dry as directed. Now, Using a compatible metal Rust-Oleum type paint intended for outdoor, using the color of your choice, paint the drain, again following the drying time instructions. Thin, repeated coats are best. When completely dry, remove tape and coverings, make sure there are no leaks of paint, and that it is dry. Enjoy! This might take a week to complete if the humidity is up, or conditions aren't​ perfect. You might have to do one sink or drain at a time, but in the end, gorgeous! Many $ saved! I painted my front brass door knobs to a deep bronze. Beautiful and cheap! Good luck!

  • William William on Jun 10, 2017

    Replace them. No paint will hold under water just as the finish didn't.

  • Judy Prier Burgess Judy Prier Burgess on Jun 10, 2017

    Thanks for the fast replies! I'll try the first 2 - thanks Sandra Cifor and Linda Barrett Dicksen - and of course replacing is always a last resort William Burbank. I did wonder about getting the drains out without damaging the sinks though. Is that easy? If I do have to replace them I don't think I'd get the oil rubbed bronze again. I've noticed many winks like mine that have the plain chrome drains and it doesn't seem very out of place.

  • Imp22013828 Imp22013828 on Jun 10, 2017

    Barkeepers friend now makes a liquid. About 4 dollars a bottle. The darkening of drains was caused by vinegar. It happens to aluminum too when using vinegar on metals.

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Jun 10, 2017

    Any chance they are still under warranty?

    I checked online and people are complaining everywhere that they do this, and that replacement ones do the same, which stinks! Personally I would try to remove it off of both of them, and leave them the chrome colour. Good luck!

  • Darrel Bickel Darrel Bickel on Jun 11, 2017

    Are you saying the finish is over a chrome plating or possibly stainless steel? That would seem to be the problem and the factory is painting these rather than plating them, to cut cost possibly.