Do It Yourself Countertop Refinishing
Refinishing your countertops does not always require the attention of a professional. For common countertop types suffering the dullness that results from normal use, you can refinish the surface yourself. Both solid-surface and stone countertops can benefit from a DIY approach to refinishing. But other types of countertop materials won't suit refinishing. For instance, laminate countertop damage generally requires replacement of the laminate skin rather than refinishing, and ceramic and porcelain tiles are usually painted or simply resealed when dulled. A solid-surface countertop consists of a single block of acrylic material, such as a Corian counter, while stone countertops include those made of solid stone such as marble and granite slabs as well as thinner stone tiled surfaces. While the exact steps to refinishing both common types differ, the results are the same: a restored countertop that looks as good as new. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sponge
- Mild liquid soap
- Cloth
- Abrasive liquid cleanser
- Fine-grit wet/dry sandpaper
- Sanding block
- Medium-grit wet/dry sandpaper
- Stone countertop cleanser
- Orbital buffer
- Fine-diamond sanding pad
- Stone countertop sealer
- Lint-free cloth
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Instructions
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Solid Surface Countertops
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Clean the surface of the countertop thoroughly with a sponge, using a mild liquid soap and warm water. Rinse any soapy residue away with clean water, then pat the counter dry with a cloth.
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2
Scrub away any small shallow surface-only scratches on the counter with an abrasive liquid cleanser and a piece of cloth. Pour the cleanser onto the cloth, then lightly work the cloth over the scratches using small circles to avoid creating groove lines in the countertop. Wipe the surface from front to back, then from side to side, until the scratches are no longer noticeable. Rinse the surface with clean water, then wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
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3
Remove deeper scratches or scuffed areas from the countertop with fine-grit wet/dry sandpaper placed on a sanding block. Saturate the paper, then wet down the scratched area of the counter with water. Use the same circular motion used on the lighter scratches to sand away the heavier scratches from the surface. Change the sandpaper to a coarser medium-grit if the fine-grit fails to remove the scratches. Switch back to the fine-grit after using the coarser paper to smooth out the surface after scratch removal. Wipe with the damp cloth after sanding to remove residue.
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Sand the entire surface of the counter with the fine-grit sandpaper to create a uniform finish. Work in overlapping rows down the counter length, keeping your sanding motions to small circles to avoid leaving directional sanding lines. Keep both the sandpaper and the counter wet during the sanding process to achieve a smooth, even texture throughout. Rinse the surface clean after sanding with water and a cloth to clear the surface of any sanding residue.
Stone Countertops
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Clean the countertop thoroughly with a sponge, using a commercial countertop cleaner made for your specific countertop stone type. Follow the cleaner manufacturer's directions to remove any dirt, debris or stains from the countertop's surface, then allow the counter to dry completely before continuing.
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Remove any existing finish and create a smooth, scratch-free surface for the new finish with the use of an orbital buffer. Attach a fine-diamond sanding pad to the buffer and run the pad over the surface of the stone, using a circular motion to avoid creating rows of lines across the countertop. Work the buffer back and forth across the surface of the stone, removing any light scratches present with the pad. Cover the entire surface with the buffer, then wipe away any residue left behind with a clean dry cloth.
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Seal the stone surface to close the pores of the stone, preventing the absorption of staining materials into the stone's surface. Use a commercial sealer made for your countertop's stone type. Pour a small amount of the sealer onto the stone surface. Use a clean lint-free cloth to spread the sealer over the stone in an even moderate layer. Wait five minutes for the sealer to penetrate the pores of the stone, then wipe off the excess with another clean cloth. Apply a second, thinner coat of sealer to the granite to ensure that you missed no spots with the first layer. Allow this second coat to sit for about two hours to penetrate the stone.
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Apply two more layers of sealer to the stone to work as a wear layer against use, using the same process you used with the first two layers. Allow the sealer to dry overnight before using the counter.
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References
Resources
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