Do you really need to gut your entire countertop if you get a small scratch on your stainless steel? Sometimes we just need a few small tips to hold us over between remodels. Our Construction Project Managers dish out their favorite temporary fixes for hiding and repairing these common small scratches.
Stainless Steel Scratches
- Get Perfect-It Rubbing Compound, Revere Stainless Steel and Copper Cleaner, or even whitening toothpaste
- Determine the direction of the steel grain and rub the paste into the scratch with a cloth
- Use a damp cloth to remove the excess paste and dry thoroughly with a new cloth
- Repeat the paste & buff process if needed
Tip: Keep your stainless steel appliances clean and shiny with a spritz of vinegar!
Photo credit: naturalmommie.com
Porcelain Scratches
- First, try bleach. Fill the sink with warm water, add 2 capfuls of bleach, and let it sit over night. Oftentimes this will do the trick to remove dull marks and discoloration. But if that doesn’t work…
- Use Bar Keeper’s Friend or baking soda to create a paste and buff into the scratch in a circular motion
- Use a damp cloth to remove the excess paste and dry thoroughly with a new cloth
- Repeat the paste & buff process if needed
Mirror Scratches
- Toothpaste to the rescue again! Rub whitening toothpaste into the scratch with a cloth
- If that doesn’t work put a couple of drops of clear nail polish on a cloth and buff out the scratch
Hardwood Flooring Scratches
- Clean the affected area with floor cleaner and dry thoroughly before starting
- Carefully rub steel wool in the direction of the grain over the scratch to gently buff it out
- Use a wax stick to fill in the scratched area and blend into the nearby wood, allow to set for 15 minutes. If you’re floors have a polyurethane finish, then skip this step completely and use a coat of poly instead.
- With a soft cloth, use large stroked to buff the wax
- Clean the area once again with a damp cloth and let dry
Note: For deep gouges, consider using wood filler or hire a contractor to remove and replace the affected panels
Stone Countertop Scratches
- Clean the affected area with a mild dish cleaner and cloth to see if this takes out the scratch
- If not, move on to a mildly abrasive sponge and apply pressure in a circular motion with the dish cleaner
- Rinse with water and allow to dry, repeat if necessary
And if any of these scratches are, in fact, large gouges, then be sure to call your contractor to get a professional repair or appliance replacement right away.