Old Lady Making Moves: Old Counters Get New Lives

It has been so long since I posted. This blog was started nearly a year ago. I finished the project, and then more, but never got around to finishing and posting the blog. Now I want to refinish my bathroom counter top, and I actually have to complete this blog to get all the directions in one place!

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[From abt Sept 2018]

My kitchen is one of the best features of my house -- it has a large, open-floor plan, with space for a dining area and a small den. But the cabinets are old and dated, and the countertops are dull, scratched, and waterstained. I can't afford to replace, but I can afford to resurface the countertops and paint the cabinets.

I'm starting with the countertops. I finally got the last of my supplies yesterday. My countertops are solid surface (Corian), and there's a process to "resurface" and renew old solid surface counters. If the countertop is only mildly worn, there's an easier process (see paragraphs titled, "Removing Minor Cuts and Scratches"), but my kitchen counters are really showing their more than 25 years of heavy use.

I looked through a lot of articles and videos on how to resurface old solid surface countertops. I chose this video (Parts I and II) to follow, as it was the most comprehensive, and the author included detailed information about supplies and methods. (Hint, You have to go all the way to the end of the second video to get all the product recommendations.)

This project requires a lot of tools and supplies. I spent nearly $200, and I already had some of the tools. I did some substitutions from the video's list:

First, after spending over $30 on the 3-M products (Perfect-It and Finesse-It), I was reluctant to spend another near-$30 (including shipping and tax) for the Dani Designs' Perfect Finish, so I substituted Hope's Countertop Polish (on Corian's list of recommended products).

[Now, 7/11/19]

Second, and, again, after spending all that money on the 3-M products, I ended up scrapping them altogether. Because I became concerned about the use of products containing petroleum distillates and other chemicals more suited for outdoor use, I substituted Rejuvenate Countertop Polish for the 3-M rubbing compound and finish. So I could have bought the Perfect Finish after all! If I had it to do all over, I'd choose the Perfect Finish over Hope's and the Rejuvenate, because the PF got all the good reviews. But the Hope/Rejuvenate products were fine for me.

I also added a natural, beeswax polish to the list, as a finishing touch. The recipe makes a polish so creamy and delicious, you could roll it into little balls, cover them in chocolate, and eat them for dessert! Plus, it makes a beautiful shine, and you can use the product on furniture and granite countertops, as well.

I made my own worksheet from watching the video: Process For Refinishing Corian Countertops. I am not including before and after pictures here because, although the difference is dramatic in person, it does not show in digital format. Suffice to say, most surface scratches, blemishes, discolorations, and imperfections were sanded and buffed out, and the buffing and polishing results in a high shine. Like new, except for a couple of deep scratches and one discoloration that may have been original.

[Update 7/12/2019] I found my before and after pictures. They had fallen off my phone, I don't know how, but Google Photos had saved them. (I never asked it to, so, kind of scary. What else does it have of mine?)

As said, the differences are not as dramatic in digital as in real life, but you'll get some idea. The color did enhance, and many of the imperfections were removed. For future care, articles I read said, never ammonia-based, or window-cleaning, products; just 50:50 vinegar:water spray. The ammonia will dull the surface. Also, it's been about a year now, and the counters still look beautiful, but they could use another wax polish.