How to Refinish a Cultured Marble Countertop

Refinishing a cultured marble countertop is an easy way to remodel the kitchen countertop. Cultured marble tiles are naturally aesthetically pleasing and very durable. However, kitchen surfaces are heavily-used household surfaces, prone to daily wear and tear and neglectful handling. A refinished cultured marble countertop is endowed with the natural luster and brilliance associated with new countertop surfaces. To refinish your cultured marble countertop, use the following information.

Step 1—Getting Started: Safety Precautions & Basic Cleaning

Equip yourself with plastic gloves and safety goggles. Start by washing the countertop surface. Prepare a cleaning solution with some soap and distilled water. Dip a sponge in this solution and use it to wipe the cultured marble countertop. Follow this by mildly brushing the soaped surface.

Ensure that you use soft-bristled brushes for scraping-off the dirt. Hard bristles can permanently scratch the stone surface. Similarly, for preparing the cleaning solution, use mild soaps used in the kitchen and not laundry detergents that can stain the surface.

Lay special emphasis on cleaning the surface around seams and chrome fittings. Rinse repeatedly with distilled water to wash-off any soap residues. Distilled water is recommended since hard water can form mineral deposits on cultured marble countertop.

Step 2—Removing Hard Stains

For removing matured and hard-water stains, use non-abrasive cleaners specifically retailed for stone surfaces. These cleaners don’t stain the cultured marble countertop surface and act on the mineral build-up only. They are excellent for removing stains of rust and food-spills. Use a soft, dry cloth for applying the branded cleaner even if it is retailed with soft brushes.

Step 3—Correcting Surface Blemishes

For repairing small scratches or cracks on the countertop surface, use a combination of marble polishing powder that contains tin dioxide and epoxy-based glues. The tin dioxide powder fills-up and camouflages small scratches, whereas as the glue fills the minute cracks. These can be easily applied with applicators sold as a part of the packaging.

Step 4—Taping Cultured Marble Countertop

Using painter’s tape, tape the edges of the cultured marble countertop. Pay special attention to masking around the sink to avoid splattering of polishing/refinishing compounds into the sink.

Step 5—Sanding Cultured Marble Countertop

Using medium-grit sandpaper, sand the cleaned and repaired countertop surface. Sand down with some effort upon the repaired areas to ensure a smooth surface. Clean the countertop with a sponge to remove the dust created from sanding.

Step 6—Re-finishing Cultured Marble Countertop

Using a paint-roller, apply a thin layer of marble primer upon the countertop surface. Leave the coated surface for about an hour, allowing it to dry. To restore the shine of the countertop, spray a stone-finish solution. These solutions are available at hardware stores. Allow the sprayed countertop surface to dry according to the packaged instructions.

Step 7—Wrapping-up Refinishing

It is recommended to use a polymer resin instead of wax for completing the re-finished look. Sprinkle a few drops of the resin on the countertop and spread them with a paintbrush. Spread the resin evenly, using a sponge and let it dry according to packaged specifications. You can coat the refinished surface with high-gloss polyurethane varnish to restore the sparkle associated with new countertop surfaces.