Refinish a Faucet
The fixtures in a bathroom -- faucets, handles and spouts -- often define the look and feel of the room. Over time these fixtures tend to lose the luster and become tarnished or rusted. Replacing bathroom fixtures can be an expensive endeavor. However, with a little know-how and elbow grease, many fixtures can be restored to a state as good as new.
Instructions
1. Turn off the shutoff valves to cut the water to the faucets. Do this from a local shutoff under the sink or from the main water valve in the basement. Turn on all fixtures to drain any remaining water out of the system.
2. Remove the water supply tubes to the faucet. With an adjustable wrench, unscrew the nuts under the faucet and pull the tubes free. Scrape away the old plumber's putty or tape with a putty knife.
3. Remove the faucets. This process will vary depending on the style of fixture, but generally there is a set screw in the handle that needs to be removed. Occasionally there will be a plastic cap that needs to be pried off to access the set screw. Once the screw is out you should be able to lift the fixture from the assembly.
4. Let the fixtures completely dry before working on them. With 220-grit sandpaper, go over the entire surface of the fixture. This will remove any rust buildup or light pitting. Wipe the fixture with a damp cloth to remove any sanding grit and let air-dry.
5. Lay the fixtures on some newspaper or a dropcloth and spray a coat of metal primer over the fixtures and let it dry according to the manufacturer's directions.
6. Spray on a coat of metal paint using careful, even strokes to avoid puddling the paint, and let it dry according to the manufacturer's directions. Spray on a second coat only if the first does not completely cover the primer.
7. Reattach the fixtures in the opposite order from which they were removed. Turn the water valve back on and test.
Tips Warnings
Wrap all fittings with plumber's tape for a tight seal before reconnecting.
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