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MY SUN DAY NEWS

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Repairing hairline cracks

By The Woodchucks

Question: What can I use to repair a small hairline crack in a Corian counter top?

Answer: A crack in a Corian countertop can be repaired with an epoxy made for this purpose and color matched to the countertop. The key to this repair is purchasing an epoxy seam sealer that matches the color of your Corian countertop. Visit a hardware store that has a wide selection of colors to choose from. If this is important to you, you should hire a certified Corian repair specialist.

To start this repair, you should widen the crack by laying a bag of ice on the countertop so that it covers the crack and the surrounding counter. Leave the bag in place for approximately one hour. Clean the edges of the crack with water and a grease cutting detergent. Wipe the crack dry with a paper towel.

Dip a cotton Q-tip in hydrogen peroxide and clean inside the crack. The hydrogen peroxide will kill any bacteria inside the crack. Wipe the crack completely dry with a paper towel.

Attach 220-grit sandpaper to a rectangular four inch by four inch orbital sander. Run the orbital sander at a low speed and delicately sand the edges and interior of the crack. Stop sanding when no raised or sharp edges remain. Be careful not to over sand so you create a dip in the counter. Remove any sanding dust from the crack with a moist paper towel, and then wipe the crack dry.

Use a hair dryer to apply heat to the crack itself and an area that spans six inches on each side. Heat the area evenly for 20 minutes which will cause the crack to contract slightly.

You are now ready to apply epoxy to the crack. Epoxy seam sealer is a two-part epoxy. It is packaged in two separate containers. Pour equal parts of the two components into a shallow mixing container. Mix the components together thoroughly with a popsicle or similar stick. Use the stick to apply the epoxy to the crack until it is filled. Use the edge of the stick to scrape across the countertop, which will remove any excess epoxy and leave a flush surface. Wait the appropriate time for the epoxy to cure, as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.

Attach 320-grit sandpaper to an orbital sander and gently run it over the crack until the epoxy is flush with the countertop. If the gloss of the sanded counter matches the rest of the counter you are done, but it will probably be slightly duller. If so switch to 400-grit sandpaper and run it over the crack two or three times to achieve a smoother finish. This will probably be enough but if you would like a higher gloss you can sand with 600-grit paper. When you are satisfied clean the whole countertop with the same cleaning solution you usually use.

If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com





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