Repairing Laminate Kitchen Counter Burn Marks

Burning your laminate kitchen counter is easy to do. However, it is also easy to fix. Follow the steps below to repair the burn marks on your counter and give it a professional finish.

Step 1 - Assess the Damage

Be realistic when you are assessing the size and severity of a burn mark. You can easily disguise a small mark. However, something the size of the palm of your hand, for example, will be too big to hide, and the laminate countertop will need to be replaced.

Step 2 - Clean the Surface

If you decide the burn mark is small enough to repair, clean the laminate kitchen counter with a solution of a powerful substance like trisodium phosphate. This will ensure the surface is free from grease, which would interfere with paint products.

Step 3 - Sand the Affected Area

The affected area must then be sanded by hand, as sanding machines are too vigorous. Sand the laminate kitchen counter slowly and gently, until the affected area of laminate has been removed.

Step 4 - Remove the Burnt Laminate

For deep burns, you may have to gouge out a small part of the counter using a small screwdriver. Be very careful when doing this not to cause any further damage.

Step 5 - Fill the Gap

Choose laminate putty that is the same or nearly the same color as the laminate kitchen counter. Wipe off any putty that has gone astray immediately. Once you have filled the hole with putty and let it dry, the area must be sanded again until it is flat. Next, clean the area using an alcohol wash.

Step 6 - Paint Over

If the putty is exactly the same color as the countertop you have had a lucky escape and do not need to take any further action. However, if the putty is not quite the same, you will have to do some repainting for a truly flawless finish. Apply melamine paint with a roller.

You may or may not need a second coat after the first dries. Let the paint dry thoroughly before placing any appliances or other items on the counter.

Repairing laminate kitchen counter burn marks is much cheaper than replacing the entire thing. Of course, the best thing is prevention! Be sure to use pot holders and coasters when placing anything hot on the counter.