13452. Repair of surface scratches in plastic laminate counter top

Letter 13452

Repair of surface scratches in plastic laminate counter top

I just rented a new space, and moved my sales counter from the old store to the new one. In the move, my sales counter top (solid color plastic laminate) was scratched by some less than careful handling. I'm not sure if boxes that had dirt on the bottom or? were dragged over the surface, but the scratches are numerous. I can't afford to have the counter redone. These are NOT gouges, but scratches like what I would guess could occur from dirt on a box bottom, dragged over the counter top. I read (cannot resurrect the article) that matte finish, solid color plastic laminate surface scratches can be repaired with a liquid plastic, then buffed with something like "Scotch Brite." This is a "Robin's Egg Blue" matte finish laminate.Can you please help, by telling me where I can find such repair material?

Bill S [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

See this site Popular Mechanics home_owner_clinic

Denis T [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Vancouver, BC, Canada

+++

I have been working with laminate for a few years now. I have seen thousands of tops pass through my shop and I wish that I could tell you that there were a miracle product that took all of your scratches out, but there aren't any. However there are a few ways to disguise your scratches one method is called seam-fill. This is a product made especially for filling gaps in plastic: you buy a whole color pallet and mix your own color, however the set cost about $120. So I would suggest one of two things. There is a product that you can get at your local hardware store called counter top magic and it will conceal alot of your scratches, or you can do what the pros do when they are in a pinch and you can find a magic marker the same color as your top and just wipe it on, if it doesn't come out to be the right color just use some lacquer thinner [link is to product info at Amazon] to get it off.

Good luck with those scratches!!

Daniel B [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Lompoc, CA, USA

July 17, 2007

We have been installing self adhesive vinyl on walls for a while,(like the regular wall paper) and we use some plastics pads with loop velcro on the edges or some fabric pads (Oshee pads) for applying the vinyl to the wall. However, we've been having the same problem...some scratches on the laminate. I want to know if somebody knows a technique to remove / prevent these scratches.

Jacinto Correa
finishing supervisor - Jacksonville, FL, USA

August 3, 2007

I have a new house, and the counters are great but the counter in the bathroom is starting to fade. At first i thought it was the wife's make-up, but after a good clean it is still faded. Is there a product that will bring back the orginial finish?

Alyn Barnes
Carpenter - Canada

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