You just finished having your kitchen renovated and you have the kitchen of your dreams. You spent a lot of time and money and you are thrilled with the final product. But then disaster strikes and you notice a scratch in your countertop. What do you do? Depending on the severity of the scratch, you can repair it yourself. Here’s how to manage minor scratches, cracks and stains in your kitchen countertops.
Granite
While granite countertops are among the most durable even these surfaces sometimes suffer wear and tear. Don’t forget to reseal them after the repair is complete.
Cracks, chips and scratches in granite can be filled in by applying multiple layers of an epoxy resin that is colour matched to the stone of your countertop. Be sure to first clean the area using acetone, this will break down grease. Don’t forget to provide proper ventilation by opening a window.
Different types of stains such as ink, wine, bleach or oil will determine the type of poultice required to remove the stain. Using a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and flour will help to pull out stains from ink, bleach or oil. For wine stains, use a mix of flour and bleach to remove the stain. There are also some great commercial products which will do the job. Contact your kitchen contractor for advice on what products to try.
Solid Surface Countertops
This type of countertop is man-made from acrylic, resin and other materials. They are very tough but can incur scratches and stains. If you want to repair a minor scratch, simply rub a white polishing compound into the area using a wool pad. Afterwards, apply a countertop wax to the area. If there are very deep scratches or cuts, you should call a professional.
Laminate Countertops
It can be quite challenging to fix gouges, scratches and stains in laminate countertops. However, it can be done with the right know-how. Some repairs may require the expertise of a professional. Don’t hesitate to contact the contractor that installed your countertop for advice.
You can fix small chips fairly easily with a laminate repair paste. Be sure to choose one that matches the colour of your countertop. You can find this product at your local hardware store. If the problem is a scratch, you can cover the scratch by using a countertop polish or car wax. You can fix peeling laminate by using contact cement. This should be applied to both surfaces and carefully pressed back into place. To remove tea and coffee stains, use a paste of baking soda and household cleaner or vinegar.
If the damaged area is fairly large it will require replacing the entire area. It might be tricky to find an exact match for your countertop if it is older. Try contacting the professionals who installed your countertop for help.
When you trust your kitchen repair to The Wright Kitchen you can be certain the job will be done right. Contact us today, and our team of professionals will be happy to help.