Remove scratches in Formica or melamine countertop

The other day one of my kids was doing a bit of DIY on the kitchen counter. While the normal procedure is to put down a piece of bubble wrap, or something to protect the top, he decided that what he was doing didn't warrant that type of effort. The result... a badly scratched countertop !

 

The other day one of my kids was doing a bit of DIY on the kitchen counter. While the normal procedure is to put down a piece of bubble wrap, or something to protect the top, he decided that what he was doing didn't warrant that type of effort. The result... a badly scratched countertop! Being Formica tops - that aren't even that old - I put my brain to work on how I could possible repair the damage without replacing the tops. One solution that immediately came to mind was to use polyurethane varnish.

If you don't cut directly on the tops there's no reason why you cannot apply varnish to repair the finish, and who the heck cuts directly on Formica tops anyway (excluding my son that is!)

I am sharing the project with you because it worked very well and I have now managed to restore the countertop to its original shine - minus all the gouges and scratches that were in it.

The entire process took me about two hours, which allowed for drying time between each coat of varnish applied. I used Rust-Oleum Polyurethane Varnish so that I could have a perfectly smooth finish, which is not always the case when you use a paintbrush or foam roller.

1. The countertop was scrubbed down to make sure it was squeaky clean. I then used 1200-grit wet/dry sandpaper that was wet to go over the entire top a couple of times. This is to remove the scratches that had been gouged into the surface.

2. After sanding the countertop is going to look absolutely horrible - but only for a short while. You need to wash it down a couple of times to remove all traces of dust and then let it dry thoroughly.

3. Open all windows and doors for maximum ventilation and switch on a fan if you have one. It's never recommended to use spray paint indoors, but I can't exactly take the countertop outside can I. This is what the countertop looks like after the first coat of Rust-Oleum polyurethane varnish spray.

GOOD TO KNOW
Let each coat dry completely before applying another coat. This will ensure maximum protection for your countertop and ensure that the finish lasts.

4. After the second coat the countertop starts to look much better. However, with the windows and doors open and the fan blowing full blast you have to watch out for anything that lands on the surface. I almost blew my top when our Jack Russell stood up, stretched his legs and proceeded to shake himself all over - right behind the fan. Well, you can imagine how to surface of the countertop looked. Suffice it to say that I had to wait until the varnish was dry, sand and start all over again!

GOOD TO KNOW
The exercise was a success - not only did I manage to get rid of the gouges and scratches in the countertop, the newly finished countertop looks like new. BUT be sure to let it cure for at least 48 hours before you place anything on the countertop.