DIY Repair for Kitchen Counter Problems

Scratched or Burned Solid-Surface Counters

• 1

  Locate surface scratches, burns and other shallow discolorations on your solid-surface counter top. Sprinkle an abrasive kitchen cleanser generously over each area.

• 2

  Rub the cleanser firmly over the damaged area using a slightly dampened sponge. Repeat this at each location where you've applied cleanser. Wipe away excess cleanser with a damp, soft rag.

• 3

  Use an orbital hand sander fitted with a fine-grit disk to sand away any remaining damage. Go over the entire counter top from end to end in long, straight lines to avoid pitting. Wipe the entire counter with a tack cloth, followed by a soft and damp rag when finished.

Cracked or Chipped Solid-Surface Counters

• 4

  Clean deep areas of damage inside and out using hydrogen peroxide applied to a cotton ball. This is necessary to kill any mildew or bacteria so that it's not trapped under your repairs. Replace the cotton ball with a new one as needed.

• 5

  Pat a clean, dry rag over the cleaned areas to soak up any extra peroxide. Sand all the damaged areas using an orbital hand sander fitted with a fine-grit disk to remove sharp and rough surfaces. Wipe the counter with a tack cloth and then a damp rag to remove all the sanding debris.

• 6

  Squeeze the contents of the two tubes from the epoxy kit next to each other on a paper plate. Mix the two gels together with a wooden craft stick. Scoop up some epoxy with the stick and apply it over the first damaged area.

• 7

  Use the flat of the stick to smooth the epoxy surface and fill the rest of the marred places in the same way. Do not wipe away the excess epoxy, but let it dry as is for 24 to 48 hours. Sand the patches level with the counter around them using the sander and fine-grit disks; clean the counter with the tack cloth and a damp rag when finished.

Damaged Granite

• 8

  Sprinkle diamond-scouring powder over stains or scratches on your granite surface. Rub the powder into these areas with a slightly dampened rag.

• 9

  Wipe away excess powder with the damp rag. Ensure the surfaces of these areas remain damp. Buff over any remaining scratches or spots with the finer side of a scrubbing pad until they're gone.

• 10

  Fill cracks, holes and other significantly damaged areas of your granite with pigmented epoxy. Mix the two-part epoxy on a paper plate with a wooden craft stick. Apply the epoxy to each area generously using a rubber paint spatula, smooth the finished surface with the spatula edge and allow the epoxy to dry 24 to 48 hours.

Damaged Plastic Laminate

• 11

  Remove damaged plastic laminate from counters and replace it with new product. Remove the counter top and transport it outside. Place the counter on a flat, sturdy surface.

• 12

  Put on gloves and safety glasses. Paint a thick layer of chemical stripper onto the counter surface with a paintbrush. Wait three minutes and scrape away all of the old plastic laminate with the edge of a putty knife.

• 13

  Clean up any excess stripper with a damp rag. Sand the wooden counter top surface evenly with an orbital sander and fine-grit disks. Rub the counter down with a tack cloth to remove the sanding debris.

• 14

  Trim the new laminate to the correct size using a utility knife. Apply laminate adhesive moderately and evenly to the counter top surface. Lay the new laminate in place atop the adhesive.

• 15

  Roll over the laminate in straight lines using a hand-held roller so that it affixes well. Let the adhesive dry 24 to 48 hours. Reinstall the counter.