Countertop Help

Updated on May 31, 2007
W.M. asks from Yorkville, IL
6 answers

I have a new home with corian countertops, and I noticed the other day that the counters are already covered in little scratches. Is this just the way corian looks or can I do something to get the marks out? Thank you for any help!

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S.M.

answers from Chicago on

I am an interior designer and I am not a fan of solid surface material because they scratch easily, are hard to maintain and they cost about the same as stone, which is more forgiving. Buffing and sanding are the only way to lessen the scratch. Keep in mind doing this yourself could result in more unwanted scratches and an uneven surface. When sanding and buffing you are not removing the scratches, but actually removing the surface of the material until the scratch is gone. (deeper scratch more sanding) Anyways, I hope this helps. Good luck. S. M

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R.G.

answers from Chicago on

I believe you can buff those out but you may need to hire a professional service.

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D.S.

answers from Chicago on

You can use either very very fine sandpaper to remove the scratches, or I prefer to rub the counters with a rag with vinegar, in a circular motion, until the scratches are removed.

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K.G.

answers from Chicago on

In my opinion, corian sucks. I get scratchs all the time. If a bowl or cookie jar is dragged across our corian counter - scratch! We have a dark color so every little scratch shows. Pampered Chef stones stratch it. I do not use knives on our counters.

Our installer came out a year ago and buffed out all of the scratches, but I can see the groves on our island from the sander. We're more careful, but scratches happen especially when we have company.

I wish we didn't upgrade to Corian because I don't think it is an upgrade. I should have saved every penny I could and got the sile stone.

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L.O.

answers from Chicago on

I purchased an Etura counter top from H Depot 4 years ago & it's cracked 2 twice already. H Depot is working with us & giving us a full credit for the Etura counter top & we're putting it towards a corian top. We're getting it installed tomorrow so I'll ask the installer about the care of it.

E-mail me Thursday so I don't forget to let you know what he says. ____@____.com

L.

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C.W.

answers from Chicago on

Seems early for this corian to be "covered in scratches".
If they were there when you moved in, then the material was
more of a "second" with imperfections. You should have been told about it. If they appeared later, then usually it is because someone hase been cutting on the corian. Corian is a good material for kitchens/baths etc, but there are limits.
Cutting with a knife, GENTLY, usually is not a problem for an adult. Kids, another matter altogether. SOMEONE has used it more like a cutting board, thus the scratches. You do need to "repair" it, not so much for looks, but bacteria will grow in those grooved areas, just like they would on a wood cutting board, or any scratched service. You could soak it in bleach after every use, but that would get tedious very fast. Over time the grooves would also stain. Sorry, too much information!
GOOD NEWS- It actually does not matter that it is "covered" in scratches, because the remedy involves VERY lightly sanding with very fine grit material the entire top. This is because there is a slight change to the finish and you really cannot do just a small section. Lots of things you/your family can do themselves, but make sure you know what you are doing. Of course, if you were to try, and goof it up, you just end up called a carpenter/handyman to do it over. Then again, if you use a hand sander and lose control where it flies into a cabinet..............well you get the picture :(
C., AIA
Green Architectural

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