Make Scratches On Your Formica Countertops Disappear With One Effective Method
Many homeowners opt for Formica countertops to save money. Although this material is made of plastic and kraft paper or particleboard, it can be designed to resemble pricier countertop surfaces, such as stone or wood. The affordability and versatility of Formica countertops are nice perks, but the material also comes with downsides. One of the cons is that Formica is susceptible to scratches. Unlike with wood, surface level damage in this material cannot simply be sanded away. So, how do you make scratches in Formica countertops disappear? Just paint a layer of wood stain over the damage to make it less visible.
The wood stain will seep into the scratches and the surrounding material to make everything blend together. After this quick restoration, the material should look just as good as new to the naked eye. If you need to tackle scratches on Formica countertops yourself, consider purchasing wood stain in a shade that matches the finish of the surface to complete this DIY at home. You should be able to find a wide selection of wood stain options at Home Depot, Lowe's, or whichever home improvement or hardware store you love the most.
How to use wood stain to cover scratches on Formica countertops
Now that you know repairing scratches is one of the cons of owning Formica countertops, it's time to learn exactly how to take care of this damage yourself. You will need to start out by purchasing wood stain in a shade that closely resembles your existing countertop finish. Home Depot sells a variety of shades, so consider searching there. Lowe's is a great option too. After purchasing the correct stain, follow the method shown in the TikTok posted by user @click2restore to apply it over your countertops.
As you can see in the video, the user used a paper towel to apply a layer of wood stain across the furniture piece. This is an affordable alternative for those who do not already own a stain brush. However, you may also purchase the proper tool if you prefer. The Linzer Flat Stain Brush ($7.47 at Home Depot) is a great option. After you have applied the stain with either a brush or a paper towel, you might be wondering how this new layer impacts your regular Formica countertop cleaning method. Just as you normally would, you can continue cleaning the surface with a gentle damp cloth and mild soap. Be sure to follow that up with water and a separate cloth to remove any soap residue. Finally, dry your countertops completely. That is all there is to cleaning the surface even after it has been transformed using wood stain.