How to Remove Scratches from a Quartz Countertop

A white and speckled quartz countertop.
  • 2-24 hours
  • Beginner
  • $0-50
What You'll Need
Ammonia-based cleaner
Rags
Marking tool
Fast-setting glue
Razor blade
What You'll Need
Ammonia-based cleaner
Rags
Marking tool
Fast-setting glue
Razor blade

If you've ever had quartz countertop then you've probably noticed that it's particularly susceptible to scratches and various other marks that come with use. Luckily, there are ways to easily make the surface appear as if it was brand new. In this article, we're going to cover a simple strategy for repairing minor damage so you never have to worry about scratches or chips again.

Step 1 - Clean the Counter

Take your ammonia-based cleaner and thoroughly scrub your countertop. Spray it on the surface and wipe it down with a dry rag to remove any grime, dirt, or loose debris. Getting it clean will prepare it for the repairs that you're about to do, and ensure that nothing ruins your results.

Step 2 - Find Your Chips

After the counter is one hundred percent clean you're going to want to identify exactly where your cracks are. Inspect the entire space thoroughly and note where any damage is with a marking tool that is easy to wipe off. Having cleaned the counter you may now notice cracks and chips you did not see before.

Step 3 - Squirt Glue into the Chips

Take your glue and squirt it into the chips or scratches. Any fast-acting glue, such as Gorilla Glue or super glue, is perfect for this particular task. You want to use just enough to fill the area from bottom to top. This will work for any scratch as long as it's smaller than a quarter. Be sure not to get the glue anywhere else on the surface of the counter or to scrape or wipe it up immediately if you do. When the glue dries it will almost certainly have excess, but in this step you're trying to minimize the amount.

WARNING: If you use epoxy glue to fill in the chips, be sure your work area is ventilated and avoid breathing it in. For extra safety, wear a face mask.

Step 4 - Let it Dry

You want to allow your glue to dry for approximately 24 hours before you move on to be sure that it has completely set. A full day should be just enough time, but if the glue doesn't seem ready, feel free to let it dry longer.

Step 5 - Cut the Excess Away

It's almost inevitable that you're going to have excess glue dried on to parts of the countertop that were not chipped. This can be unsightly and can cause further problems if not dealt with.

Take your razor blade, hold it at a 45-degree angle, and make it flush with the counter and the glue. Then, scrape the excess glue off gently. If you put too much force into this you risk the chance of ripping out the repairs that you just made, or even making more scratches in the quartz countertop.

Step 6 - Clean it Again

After you've cut the excess away, it's time to clean the counter again. Take your ammonia-based cleaner and another dry rag to wipe away any glue debris left behind. This should leave your quartz looking as good as new.

WARNING: Ammonia stains clothes and can be toxic to breathe in, so put on work clothes and get the face mask mentioned earlier before you start handling the ammonia