Creating A Lovely Home

If you have a scratched laminate countertop, consider fixing the scratches yourself. Plastic laminate is made from layers of compressed paper joined to particle board, and coated with plastic. Laminate is durable, but it still endures normal wear and tear. Here are some tips to fix scratches on plastic laminate countertops.

Prepare to Work

For this project you need: 

• lint-free cloths
• liquid dish soap​ rubbing alcohol, or undiluted white vinegar
• putty knife
• toothpicks
• popsicle stick
• laminate paper paste
• plastic laminate filler (optional)
• furniture paste wax (optional)
• hand buffer (optional)
• porcelain repair kit
• lemon oil

Remove items from the countertop. Clean the countertops with liquid dish soap, warm water, and a lint-free cloth to remove stains. If liquid dish soap doesn't remove stains, try small amounts undiluted vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Let the counterrtop dry naturally.

Fix Small Surface Scratches

Purchase laminate paper paste that for plastic laminate that closely matches the countertop color. Use the putty knife to spread small amounts of laminate paper paste over the scratch.

Spread the paste until it is even with the countertop with the knife, and let the area dry for 24 hours. Wipe the countertop with lemon oil and a cloth to restore shine.

Furniture paste wax is another way to remove small surface scratches. Spread furniture paste wax all over the countertop to cover unscratched areas. Use a clean cloth to buff the area again. For better results, use a hand buffer with a lamb's wool pad attachment.

Repair Deep Scratches

To fix deep scratches that go past the outer plastic coating, buy a porcelain epoxy repair kit that matches the countertop color from a home and garden center. Mix the porcelain epoxy according to the directions, and apply it to the scratch using a toothpick. Smooth the porcelain epoxy with a popsicle stick until it is even with the countertop, then apply lemon oil.

Two more options to repair deep scratches on laminate countertops is to use a plastic laminate filler or plastic laminate paint. Two popular brands of plastic laminate filler include Form Fill and Seam Fil. A thin layer of paint is ideal when other scratch removal methods fail. If you want a faux granite finish, a popular brand of faux granite finish is Giani Granite Paint for Countertops. To learn more about options for countertops, contact a company like All Marble Granite & Tile Imports Inc.

These scratch removal technique may not remove the scratches entirely, but they will improve the countertop's appearance. Chop food on another surface such as butcher block whenever possible to prevent damage. If the countertops are seriously damaged and you prefer a replacement, visit a home and garden center.