Renew a Cultured Marble Vanity Countertop 01

Kitchen And Bathroom Renovation : Renew a Cultured Marble Vanity Countertop 01

Many vanity countertops are made of cultured marble (also known as engineered marble). Cultured marble is actually a composite of marble dust or crushed limestone and polyester resins. It requires less care than a tile or natural stone countertop. However, over time, it can lose its shine and start to look dull and shabby. Renewing cultured marble is a matter of restoring the gelcoat fi nish. Th is top coat is applied during the manufacturing process in order to create a shiny, waterproof surface. When this gelcoat gets scratched or discolored, it can be sanded, rubbed, and then buff ed to look like new.

CONSIDER THIS

• I recommend removing the faucet so it’s out of your way.
• Deep scratches and stains that have gone through the gelcoat are impossible to remove. Do not sand past the gelcoat! Doing so will leave a permanent dull spot.
• All the steps can be done by hand. However, a buffer/ polisher is optimal because it rotates evenly and at a low speed (unlike a drill).
• If you use a drill/driver with a buffi ng pad, be careful not to overdo it—controlling the speed is the key.
• To maintain your cultured countertop, regularly use a product like Gel-Gloss to keep a waterproof and shiny
surface.

PREP WORK

• Remove the faucet.
• Protect the surrounding area by taping it off with newspaper.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

This process is also used on cars and boats. You can readily find thesematerials in an auto parts or marine store.

Electric drill or buffer/polisher
Masking tape
Newspaper
Dust mask
Safety glasses
1200-grit wet/dry sandpaper
Sponge
Bucket of water
Clean rags
Buffi ng pads that fi t an electric drill or
electric buffer/polisher
Rubbing compound for fi berglass (medium
cutting)
Microfi ber towel
Paste wax or polish for fi berglass
Sponge or foam pad for paste or polish