Remove a Scratch from a Laminate Countertop

When your laminate countertops become scratched, you can fill the scratches in with laminate paste or filler products, or you can apply furniture paste wax to hide the scratches. Although you may not be able to remove the scratches from your countertops completely, you can still use various household products to maintain the appearance of your countertops.

Steps

  1. Clean the surface of your laminate countertop where the scratches reside.
    • Use warm water and liquid dish-washing soap or spray undiluted vinegar over the affected area to remove any existing stains before treatment. If the scratches are too deep and the vinegar does not remove the stains, pour small amounts of rubbing alcohol over the affected area instead.
  2. Use a soft cloth to remove any remaining cleaning solution and to wipe the area dry.
  3. Apply furniture paste wax to the scratches using a clean, soft cloth.
    • Waxing your laminate countertops is the best solution for hiding and covering smaller, lighter scratches.
  4. Work the wax into the scratches on the countertop.
    • Use the soft cloth to spread the wax lightly across the rest of the countertop, including the sections unaffected by scratches. This procedure will keep the appearance of the countertop consistent.
  5. Buff the wax across the entire surface of the countertop.
    • Use another clean, soft cloth to buff the wax or use an electric, motorized buffer tool that contains a lamb's wool applicator for optimal results.

Remove Scratches with Laminate Fillers or Paste

  1. Apply a seam or laminate filler, or a laminate repair paste, to the scratches on your countertop.
    • Laminate pastes and fillers will penetrate the deepest parts of scratches and conceal them completely. Seam and laminate fillers and pastes can be purchased specifically for wood or plastic laminate countertops.
    • Select a paste or filler that matches the color of your countertop from any hardware store or retail store that specializes in home repair. You can also contact the manufacturer of your countertop directly for filler product recommendations or for help with determining the exact color of your countertop.
    • Apply multiple layers of the laminate paste or filler to each scratch using the method outlined by the instructions on the packaging. You may also use measurements of one-sixteenth of an inch (1.58 mm) for each layer.
  2. Use a putty knife to spread the layers evenly across the countertop's surface.
  3. Allow the laminate paste or filler to dry for at least 24 hours before using or touching the area.

Tips

  • Seam and laminate fillers and pastes can be used to repair small nicks or chips in your countertops in addition to scratches.
  • Use butcher's blocks or cutting boards to slice food and other items instead of using the surface of your laminate countertops. The majority of scratches on countertops are caused by sharp utensils, such as knives.
  • Car wax may be used as an alternative to furniture paste wax, however, you may want to consult with your countertop's manufacturer before applying car wax to make sure the product is safe to use on your countertop.
  • If your attempts to remove the scratches are not completely successful, you may want to consider applying a light coat of paint to the surface of your countertop in a color that blends in with the scratches.

Things You'll Need

  • Liquid dish washing soap or spray bottle of undiluted vinegar
  • 3 clean, soft cloths
  • Furniture paste wax
  • Putty knife
  • Seam filler, laminate filler, or laminate repair paste
  • Rubbing alcohol (optional)

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Sources and Citations

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