How to Remove Scratches From Formica

Over time almost everything gets scratched, including Formica. Scratched Formica looks old and worn. Unfortunately, even the Formica company acknowledges that products designed to hide scratches in Formica do not always do a perfect job. Until you can replace your scratched Formica, you can at least temporarily make your countertops look almost new again.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Paste wax
• Formica filler (liquid)
• Wood filler
• Putty knife
• 0000 steel wool
• Formica topcoat spray or spray wax

1. Rub paste wax for wood into your shallow Formica scratches. Use a clean cloth to buff the wax.

2. Buy a liquid Formica filler. This filler comes in different colors, so you may need the color name or the laminate number of your Formica to match the color perfectly. Pour a quarter-sized pool of Formica filler on the scratched area, and use a clean cloth to rub the filler into the scratches. Allow to dry. Formica filler can be purchased locally from any Formica dealer.

3. Use wood filler---color-matched as perfectly as possible---for particularly deep scratches. Spread the filler, using a putty knife to press the filler deeply into the scratch and to remove any excess filler. Allow the filler to dry for 24 hours.

4. Lightly buff the areas where you added the filler with 0000 steel wool. Be careful that the steel wool does not add additional scratches---use sparingly.

5. Spray with a Formica topcoat spray (available locally from your Formica dealer) or any good spray wax (such as Pledge). Buff with a clean cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Almost nothing will do a perfect job of hiding scratches in Formica. If the scratches bother you, consider replacing the Formica.

• When using the 0000 steel wool, use a light touch, and only buff until the area is smooth.