Bring Back The Shine To Your Scratched Corian Countertops By Polishing Them

There are many advantages of Corian countertops, such as their affordable price point, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Though partially made of synthetic materials, Corian countertops afford the same luxurious finish as natural stone. However, one of the downsides of Corian countertops is that the material tends to scratch if you're not careful. The good news is that a simple polishing can be all it takes to restore your surfaces to pristine condition. You may be able to buff out the scratches by hand with a cloth, sandpaper, or a scouring pad. However, depending on the severity of the scratches, you may need an orbital sander.

Glossy Corian countertops, while a stylish choice, will show scratch marks more easily than matte. Further, polishing semi-gloss and high-gloss countertops to their original luster is difficult to do on your own. These types of surfaces are best handled by a professional. However, if your surfaces are in relatively good condition, polishing can remove the minor blemishes and make them sparkle like new. Though Corian is not as scratch-resistant as quartz or granite, all countertops should be handled with care to preserve their lifespan. Avoid placing heavy objects or hot cookware on the surface, clean spills right away, and always use a cutting board to prevent scrapes.

Before polishing, it's important to clean your Corian countertops first to remove any debris and grease. For light scratch marks, pour a small amount of mildly abrasive countertop polish such as Granite Gold onto the affected areas and apply it in gentle circular motions with a buffing pad or microfiber cloth. If you're in a pinch, make a homemade countertop polish with one part water and three parts baking soda. Finally, wipe down the surface with mild dish soap and water, and dry thoroughly.

For slightly deeper scratches, the Corian official maintenance guide has a simple solution. For matte finishes, apply 240-grit sandpaper in circular motions over the affected area, clean off the debris with water, then buff with a Scotch-Brite 7448 hand pad. A similar process applies for semi-gloss finishes, however you may not be successful in restoring it by hand. You may also be able to remove scratches on high gloss and semi-gloss Corian with car polish, a low-speed polisher and a lambswool pad.

To remove deep scratches on light-colored countertops, use an orbital sander and 150-grit sanding disc on the entire surface of your countertop to get an even polish, using circular motions. Inspect and repeat where necessary, use the same process to buff the surface with sandpaper or Scotch-Brite, and wipe the countertop clean with a damp cloth. Darker countertops require more elbow grease. After using the orbital sander, repeat the process with 240-grit, 600-grit, and 1000-grit sandpaper to restore the surface to a high shine, then buff. It may be a time-consuming process, but your gleaming countertops will make all the effort worthwhile.