How To Fix Scratches On Cultured Marble Vanities
Cultured marble vanity cabinets add elegance to your bathroom without the cost of real marble. However, you may find it scratched during a remodel, but it doesn't mean you have to buy a new cabinet.
The scratches can easily be fixed with some basic tools.You don't want to postpone fixing the scratches because it allows water to soak through the cabinet, which risks bacteria spreading. Fix marble vanity scratches by following these tips.
Prepare to Fix the Scratches
To repair the scratches, you need:
- rubber gloves
- soft cloths
- mild liquid soap or non-abrasive bathroom cleaner
- steel wool pad
- 400-1500-grit wet and dry sandpaper
- orbital sander
- high-speed buffer
- carnauba-based auto buffing compound
- marble solution
- gel coat
- cultured marble repair kit (optional)
Examine the depth of the scratches. Most cultured marble vanities have a fiberglass backing. If the scratch runs all the way down into the fiberglass, contact the manufacturer of the vanity for a repair kit.
Clear the top of the vanity, and clean the entire cabinet with the liquid soap or bathroom cleaner and a soft cloth. If there is wax, remove it with the wool pad Cleaning helps the repair materials stick better, and it highlights the scratches you may miss.
Buff Minor Scratches
Work in a ventilated area to avoid breathing dust particles and fumes from repair materials. If the vanity has a honed surface, sand the area using 400-600 wet and dry sandpaper. Sand with 600-1200 grit sandpaper on medium surfaces, and use 1200 to 1500 grit sandpaper on high-gloss surfaces.
Sand the surface enough to rough it up, but don't sand too hard, and clean sand dust. To restore gloss, polish the scratched surface with a buffing pad and a high-speed buffer.
Dab some automotive compound on the cloth, and lightly rub it on the scratch until a haze appears, then buff the surface again. Repeat the process until the scratch has been removed.
Fix Deeper Scratches and Cracks
Attach 800-grit wet/dry sandpaper to the orbital sander, and mist the surface lightly with water. Sand the area until you no longer feel scratches, then polish the surface with the automotive compound until the scratch disappears. Use a marble solution to fill cracks and to lighten yellow spots.
Apply a thin layer of gel coat over the entire cabinet surface. Gel coat is especially formulated for cultured marble, and it helps protect the vanity from future scratches.
Cultured marble surfaces easily scratch, so ensure you use products with a neutral pH. If you think your bathroom needs a complete make-over, contact a remodeling service.