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Topic: Re-Finishing Kitchen Counter Tops? (Read 190 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re-Finishing Kitchen Counter Tops?
We’d like to re-finish the kitchen counter tops.  Ours has some scratches from normal use.  I’m not interested in trying to replace the counter tops which would be an extreme solution for us.  Has anyone found a way to restore the existing fiberglass counters?
Re: Re-Finishing Kitchen Counter Tops?
Reply #1 –
Ed, if your counter is like mine, it has a fiberglass gel coat surface with flecks of color, supported by a sprayed chopped glass structure.  If you treat it like you did your headlights, with a very fine abrasive, you should be ok.  I think I would start with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper, soapy water, and a lot of patience.  Use a rubber sanding block to keep things uniform.  Don't go for perfection, because if you sand through the gel coat, you will have a spot that will NEVER match.  Once you have made the scratches mostly gone, you can go to finer and finer grits until you are satisfied.  Give it a coat of wax and you are done.

Now - if you DO sand through the gel coat, or if you want to change the look, change the plan.  Sand the entire countertop with 200 to 320 grit wet/dry paper to prep the surface.  No need to sand through the gel coat elsewhere; in fact, try not to do so.  Clean it thoroughly with soap and water, then a thorough rinse.  When dry, wipe with a clean rag and alcohol. 

Then, there are sprays out there that do a great job of imitating a granite surface.  I don't know how smooth they would dry, so try it first on a piece of scrap plastic. 

If you do a uniform color, try to get an epoxy appliance paint.  It is tougher.  While I did not do my counters, my sink edge had a lot of knife nicks, and I did it.  The result was not perfect, but it was a heckuva lot better than it had been.

Ken F in NM

'08 MB
Re: Re-Finishing Kitchen Counter Tops?
Reply #2 –
I wonder if using rubbing compound and Mirror Glaze might work for light scratches<  We have some nearthe sink and on a couple of the edges.  We were thinking of using Mirror Glaze in the bathroom to help protect the shower?

      Karen~Liam
         98 ~ MB
            NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Re-Finishing Kitchen Counter Tops?
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Ed & Margee  - 
We’d like to re-finish the kitchen counter tops.  Ours has some scratches from normal use.  I’m not interested in trying to replace the counter tops which would be an extreme solution for us.  Has anyone found a way to restore the existing fiberglass counters?
Just MHO, but I can't imagine your well kept LD has counters that need to be refinished as opposed to restoring or spiffing up. Ken has a good plan for you, but you always run the risk of making things worse if you use the wrong product or rub too hard, etc. Have you tried any polishes? I have used Gel Gloss spray for the life of our LD and it does a great job of covering up normal wear and tear. https://matrix.recolorado.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=0-1308548511-10&eml=Y2hyaXNob3JzdDEwMEBnbWFpbC5jb20=&rk=2009250183  Used it in the shower, too. The Mirror Glaze may be similar. I'd recommend trying polishes first.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Re-Finishing Kitchen Counter Tops?
Reply #4 –
IMHO, for discoloration type spots or for a spot that has been abraded with microscopic scratches to a dull finish, glazes and polishing compounds are the way to go.  But if you are dealing with an actual scratch, those materials will not do.  They will deal with microscopic scratches nicely, but if you can catch the scratch with a fingernail, it is far too big a surface flaw to smooth with a polishing compound.  Rubbing a compound on it may make the scratch harder to see, but you will still feel it, and it will tend to collect dirt.  An actual scratch that you can feel needs to have the surface around it cut down until it meets the bottom of the crack to make it go away.  That means gently using a very fine sandpaper backed with a slightly soft sanding block such as a rubber one.  You can then go to superfine sandpapers, then polishing compounds.

Again, just MHO.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: Re-Finishing Kitchen Counter Tops?
Reply #5 –
That's right Gel Gloss is for fiber glass and gel coat, Mirror Glaze is for plastic like windshields in airplanes.

  Karen~Liam
    98 ~ MB
      NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags