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Anonymous Poster

Refinishing/cleaning stained plastic surface

03/18/2008 4:04 PM

I have a counter-top on an old kitchen working surface that has become stained with numerous items (eg: coffee, grape juice, etc.) that has proved nigh impossible to completely clean. The surface is some sort of plastic (melamine?) or the like. I suspect the issue is that the surface would likely be somewhat porous.

Anyone have suggestions as to how to clean/remove the stains, or recommendations as to a process for resurfacing the unit.

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Anonymous Poster
#1

Re: Refinishing/cleaning stained plastic surface

03/18/2008 4:10 PM

Any chlorinated solvent will do (automotive brake cleaner).

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#2

Re: Refinishing/cleaning stained plastic surface

03/18/2008 5:03 PM

You might find that the chemicals have actually changed the plastic's make-up somehow. This often alters the colour and cleaning alone will not undo the change so unless you are up for a complete re-finish, you will have to live with it I am afraid.

Repaint is an option but choose a paint that is food grade safe and has a low VOC number so that it does not leave such a chemically unpleasant smell. Also consider that you might chop food on the surface so you would not want bits of chipped paint in your food.

Maybe a veneer top is the best option as most artificial worktops are veneered anyway. You can get nice marble or granite lookalike veneers nowadays.

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#3

Re: Refinishing/cleaning stained plastic surface

03/18/2008 10:20 PM

Have you tried laying paper towels saturated with bleach over the stain? If kept damp overnight it might dilute the stain away.

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#4

Re: Refinishing/cleaning stained plastic surface

03/19/2008 7:13 AM

Peroxide or Oxy Clean may be better than chlorinated bleach.

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#5

Re: Refinishing/cleaning stained plastic surface

03/19/2008 7:10 PM

Call it art and be proud of it.

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#6

Re: Refinishing/cleaning stained plastic surface

03/19/2008 10:39 PM

Hi. I'M Billy Mays. Billy Mays here for Oxy-Clean...................

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Bob
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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Refinishing/cleaning stained plastic surface

03/19/2008 10:59 PM

LOL!

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#8

Re: Refinishing/cleaning stained plastic surface

03/22/2008 11:33 PM

I have removed same from acrylic fabrics with the NAPA brand carburetor cleaner 'Gum out' but don't set more than three seconds or it may remove more than you want it to.

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