Cleaning and Stain Removal - Refinishing single bathroom sink question

A dripping faucet in our bathroom sink has worn away the finish to the extent there is six inch X one inch vertical area with missing enamel. Several years ago I painted over this area with a paint supposedly for that purpose. Some of the rest shows through the paint and along the edges of this area.

Today, we talked on the phone with a representative of a firm that specializes in redoing sinks and tubs. Her advice was that she would not recommend that we have it refinished if rust was present. She stated that in time the rust would just bleed back through. She did state that her charge would have been about $80.00 if it was a feasible job.

A general home repair man said after looking at the sink that he could refinish it for about $280.00 which would include installing new fixtures. This did not include the price of the fixture and rust was not mentioned. This man said the epoxy material would run him about $80.00.

One option is to put in a new sink, but keep in mind the sink is surrounded by tile more than forty years old which no doubt is no longer available. We could
go the $80.00 route and take our chances, or contact someone else.

I would really appreciate some comments from anyone knowledgeable on the above.

Paints and coatings tend not to provide long-term durability. Whether $280 or $80, that's too much to in a 40-year-old bathroom sink. Measure your vanity and visit a cabinet dealer or home supply center and price a cultured-marble vanity top. Plastic laminate with a drop-in bowl is another option. Either option will be economical and will give your 40-year-old bathroom a well-deserved update that will offer long-term durability.