How to Repair a Scratch in a Kitchen Countertop

Beautiful countertops add to the appearance of your kitchen.

Scratches in your kitchen countertop are preventable, but often happen anyway due to accidents or lack of preparation. Still, the countertop is not ruined--most scratches are repairable. Use supplies from your local hardware store to restore the surface of your countertop. Once completed, your kitchen countertop's appearance will be back in good condition.

Things You'll Need

• All-purpose cleaner
• Clean cloths
• Paper plate
• Seam filler
• Putty knife

Instructions

1. Clean the scratched area of your kitchen countertop using an all-purpose cleaner and a clean cloth.

2. Find a seam filler that matches your countertop as closely as possible. Bring a countertop sample or even a picture of your countertop to the hardware store to find the best match. If your countertop is custom, order seam filler from the countertop company. Ensure that you use a seam filler made for your countertop. Most countertops are plastic and seam filler is readily available. However, seam fillers also are available for stone or wood countertops.

   Squeeze seam filler from the tube onto your paper plate. Manipulate the seam filler using your putty knife. Continue to do so until the seam filler thickens.

3. 

   Old towels come in handy for cleaning and repair projects.

   Dip a clean cloth into the seam filler solvent that comes with the filler. Wipe the solvent across the scratch.

4. Apply the seam filler to your countertop using your putty knife, pressing the filler into the scratch.

5. Remove all excess seam filler from around the scratch using a clean cloth. Allow the seam filler to dry. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 if the seam filler shrinks while drying and the scratch is still visible.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevent scratches in your kitchen countertop by always using a cutting board when preparing food for snacks or meals.

• Call your countertop manufacturer if your counters were custom-made. This will assist you in finding the best color match for your seam filler.

References

• Kitchen Countertops: Countertop Scratch Removal
• Start Remodeling: Countertop Repair and Maintenance