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Help Needed. How can I fix this kitchen top?

2K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  jimbrown 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Brown Wood Grey Flooring Floor


I ruined the finish on this kitchen counter top, from using a hand coffee grinder always in this spot for almost a month (it's made of wood and tends to move about when you use it).

I am pretty crafty, I feel like I could fix this if it isn't too hard, so would really appreciate some guidance.

I have some furniture wax already, it's white.

I can buy whatever I need, but I'd want to keep expenses to a minimum.

Could I fix this without having to work the whole counter?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
 

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#2 ·
I can't really tell from the picture - what is your countertop made out of? Is it laminate (formica)? It yes, then it'll be a pretty hard/impossible fix. I do not know of any way to restore the color/pattern to a laminate that has worn through, like you picture. If no, then it could be as simple as sanding down the countertop, staining and putting a clear coat on top.
 
#3 ·
Hi PPK,

Thanks for the response. It's definitely wood, I'm not sure what wood though. Below is another picture, from the bottom of the counter.

I would rather as much as possible only act on this small area instead of having to rework the whole countertop, which is quite large. Could I realistically apply your solution (sanding/staining/clear coat) locally to this area only without it looking weird and separate from the rest? Also, what exactly is a clear coat?

Thanks!

 
#5 ·
Yes, it's definitely wood. Well, it's usually difficult to match the color of a stain to and existing stain, and even harder to match it if the wood/stain is old. This is because stain gets lighter or darker over time, and wood changes color over time too, as its exposed to sunlight or UV rays. However, it does look like the spot isn't too worn through. You could try getting some stain that is lighter colored, and applying it in light coats, one at a time, until you get the right color. If you get it too dark, it will all have to be sanded out.

Clear coat is the protecting finish you put on top of the stain. Some clear coats are: Polyurethane, Lacquer or even epoxy. Other people use boiled linseed oil or danish oil, but these aren't as good of an option for a counter top since they don't form a film to protect the wood. The best finish in your application is probably polyurethane. However, there's another issue, and that's that some finishes won't stick to each other. So, if you have a polyurethane, and you coat over it with lacquer, it will cause wrinkles or other problems.

It does seem like it should be an easy fix, but I have found that patching small areas and making them match can be very difficult to make look good (blend in)
 
#7 ·
As Bill M. suggested, I'd start with a conditioner like Howard's Feed-N-Wax. You can get it at HD. Rub it thoroughly over the entire surface, let it sit for 20 minutes or so and buff it off with a clean cloth. If that doesn't help, you'll need to look into some way to color it, but without more information no one can give you full instructions on doing that.
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
First things first, i think you need to determine if there is a top coat on the existing counter. If there is some sort of top coat, a stain will likely not penetrate through the top coat. It would need to be sanded / scraped off. Then you could go about restaining.

If it were me, i would give it a good once over with some 150 grit on my orbital sander and see if i could replicate the wear youve created with the coffee grinder across the whole counter. This would allow the new stain color to be even throughout. At this point you wouldnt necessarily need to match the existing color just get something close. Stain, and topcoat with a good polyurethane. General Finishes Arm r seal or High Performance would be my choice.

IMO, trying to match the stain color and blend it together, in only that one spot, is gonna be tough sledding.

EDIT - Howards feed n wax - Yes.
 
#10 ·
I can t really tell from the picture - what is your countertop made out of? Is it laminate (formica)? It yes, then it ll be a pretty hard/impossible fix. I do not know of any way to restore the color/pattern to a laminate that has worn through, like you picture. If no, then it could be as simple as sanding down the countertop, staining and putting a clear coat on top.

- PPK
Does your counter have a film finish or is it treated with a butcher block conditioner. You may be able to treat with conditioner and make it look better.

- firefighterontheside
 
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