DIY Countertop Fixes

Small countertop imperfections aren’t enough to call out a contractor to your home. If your countertops are scratched, have small holes or are peeling at the edges, you can fix them yourself for a fraction of the cost of a professional. Most countertop types have repair pastes or epoxies that will fill in scratches and small holes. These repair kits even let you match the color to your own countertop. With a little bit of elbow grease your countertops will look brand new in no time.

Things You'll Need

• 400-grit sandpaper
• Paste or epoxy
• Color powder
• Trowel
• Polish
• Cloth
• Contact cement

Instructions

1. Sand the scratch in your countertop with 400-grit sandpaper to reduce the look of it.

2. Mix 2 to 3 tbsp. of paste or epoxy from a countertop repair kit with the color powder of your choice in a bowl. Mix it until the color matches your countertop.

3. Apply the filler over the scratch or hole in your countertop and smooth it out with a trowel.

4. Sand over the paste or epoxy once it's dry. Sand the area until it's as smooth as the rest of the countertop. Rub countertop polish over the paste or epoxy with a soft cloth.

5. Apply contact cement under any peeling edges. Press the countertop into the cement and hold it there for three to five minutes until it dries.

References

• "Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual"; The Family Handyman Editors; 2005