Quartz worktop problem, not sure what to do!

lindos90

Oh dear, I have damaged my quartz kitchen worktop. Ive spilt some drops of superglue on it and stupidly I had a panic and wiped it quick, which has just spread it!

I then washed it and used the cleanser and toner I got from the installer, but it looks like the glue has taken the shine off the surface, which is very noticeable. In a couple of areas there is still a thin layer of glue as well.

I cant believe it, Im devastated, its right next to the hobb and very noticeable as the light reflects off it differently.

Anyone have any advice on how to remove the rest of the superglue and how to restore the shine/surface. Im not even sure if its possible, let alone something I could do myself!

(I do have a small sample piece that I could practice on first)

Please help!

Leif

I would contact the supplier and the manufacturer of the quartz material, I am sure they will know. If you used the items supplied by the manufacturer then I would have thought you have not done damage. I am sure you know not to use any non approved substances in case it causes damage. I suspect super glue is something the makers have dealt with before.

lindos90

Leif wrote: »

I would contact the supplier and the manufacturer of the quartz material, I am sure they will know. If you used the items supplied by the manufacturer then I would have thought you have not done damage. I am sure you know not to use any non approved substances in case it causes damage. I suspect super glue is something the makers have dealt with before.

Thanks for your reply, I was tempted to scrub it, but thought better of it really. I will try and contact the manufacturer, as I did have installation issues with the supplier (theres a previous thread on here about them) and doubt that they would be inclined to help.

I really hope I can sort it out, my other half has not noticed yet, he's going to blow his top, as its me whos always telling him to be careful with my percious worktop!

robbie3864

lindos90 wrote: »

Oh dear, I have damaged my quartz kitchen worktop. Ive spilt some drops of superglue on it and stupidly I had a panic and wiped it quick, which has just spread it!

I then washed it and used the cleanser and toner I got from the installer, but it looks like the glue has taken the shine off the surface, which is very noticeable. In a couple of areas there is still a thin layer of glue as well.

I cant believe it, Im devastated, its right next to the hobb and very noticeable as the light reflects off it differently.

Anyone have any advice on how to remove the rest of the superglue and how to restore the shine/surface. Im not even sure if its possible, let alone something I could do myself!

(I do have a small sample piece that I could practice on first)

Please help!

The Granite Doctor contacted us a few weeks ago (I own and run a granite and quartz fabrication company) offering his services for repairs to granite worktops, he may be able to help. Although different the principles of polishing granite and quartz are similar. I can't vouch for his services as we haven't had need to use him as yet but if you do then let me know how it went. I will PM you his email address.

Steve_the_fitter

try a stanley knife blade and nail varnish remover. should hopefully do the trick.

Leif

Steve_the_fitter wrote: »

try a stanley knife blade and nail varnish remover. should hopefully do the trick.

Have you tried that on quartz? Quartz contains quartz embedded in a resin, which may be attacked by nail varnish remover.

lindos90

Leif wrote: »

Have you tried that on quartz? Quartz contains quartz embedded in a resin, which may be attacked by nail varnish remover.

Thanks for your note of caution leif, I do have a small sample that I can test any sugestions with. I think that the glue itself has attacked the resin, and thats why the area has gone dull (I think its 'eaten' into the polished surface)

Alan_M_2

I'm a quartz wholesaler and we also manufacture our own line of quartz.

When this product is marked and all the usual stuff fails to remove it, Acetone is the default solvent to use (nail varnish remover). It's actually what I use in the factory on the production line when I'm checking the stability of the product.

If the quartz is manufactured properly it won't attack the surface of the proudct as long as it's removed within 10 minutes of application.

If acetone fails to remove the problem then we use Dichloromethane - which is a deeply unpleasant chemical which I don't recommend you use - but we've yet to find anything it won't budge.

However, I wouldn't immediately jump to acetone - I would first find out what chemicals are used to dissolve superglue - then find out if they can be applied to quartz - it may be that nail varnish remover is that chemical - in which case you've got your answer.

Quartz is extremely difficult to refinish on the face, I have a couple of stonemason customers that have developed a system to do this - it has more in common with repolishing paint on a car than wet polishing granite.

It's more a buff with wax and resins to correct the surface than an actual diamond polish.

However, it only works to a degree and if it's only a minor mark on your top I'd be inclined to just live with it as tinkering can sometimes make it worse.

If you find you have etched the surface, the best chance you'll have of a repair is getting a specialist to look at it. They can use a product similar to the clear resins used to repair car windscreens, apply this to the tops then use a polishing mop to buff it out.

The colour of the quartz sometimes determines how effective this type of repair is.

lindos90

Alan_M wrote: »

I'm a quartz wholesaler and we also manufacture our own line of quartz.

When this product is marked and all the usual stuff fails to remove it, Acetone is the default solvent to use (nail varnish remover). It's actually what I use in the factory on the production line when I'm checking the stability of the product.

If the quartz is manufactured properly it won't attack the surface of the proudct as long as it's removed within 10 minutes of application.

If acetone fails to remove the problem then we use Dichloromethane - which is a deeply unpleasant chemical which I don't recommend you use - but we've yet to find anything it won't budge.

However, I wouldn't immediately jump to acetone - I would first find out what chemicals are used to dissolve superglue - then find out if they can be applied to quartz - it may be that nail varnish remover is that chemical - in which case you've got your answer.

Quartz is extremely difficult to refinish on the face, I have a couple of stonemason customers that have developed a system to do this - it has more in common with repolishing paint on a car than wet polishing granite.

It's more a buff with wax and resins to correct the surface than an actual diamond polish.

However, it only works to a degree and if it's only a minor mark on your top I'd be inclined to just live with it as tinkering can sometimes make it worse.

If you find you have etched the surface, the best chance you'll have of a repair is getting a specialist to look at it. They can use a product similar to the clear resins used to repair car windscreens, apply this to the tops then use a polishing mop to buff it out.

The colour of the quartz sometimes determines how effective this type of repair is.

A quick google confirms that acetone is used to remove superglue, so I will very carefully try this on the areas that still has a smear of glue.

My Quartz is samsung, its the black one with mirror flecks, is this colour likely to respond well to the buffing repair you mention?

So it doesnt sound very hopeful about the surface then, sounds like its going to be expensive and probably not that successful.:( oh dear.

Alan_M_2

Honestly it all depends how Samsung finish the Radianz.

Try the acetone first in an unobtrusive area (under your microwave, chopping board etc.)

Some manufacturers use chemical intensifiers to enhance their colours - particularly dark colours - there's nothing wrong with this at all, it's not "dye" it's simply a surface finish that makes the product shine. Acetone will remove this if it's been used but it can easily be reapplied.

Try the acetone first and see if it helps. Don't be tempted to use scourers, brillos or anything similar. As already suggested a very sharp stanley blade at a shallow angle is far better than anything abrasive.

lindos90

Alan_M wrote: »

Some manufacturers use chemical intensifiers to enhance their colours - particularly dark colours - there's nothing wrong with this at all, it's not "dye" it's simply a surface finish that makes the product shine. Acetone will remove this if it's been used but it can easily be reapplied.

I wonder if the 'dull' areas are where the 'chemical intensifiers' have been taken off by the superglue perhaps? Im not really sure how I would find out if samsung use this, but I like the idea that it can be 'easily reapplied is it something I could buy and apply myself'? A much better thought to sleep on! (Im worried sick, my OH has still not noticed , then again he doesnt do much near the hobb!) It cost us 3K and I feel like I have ruined it:(

I have washed it and rubbed it, but only with a washing up sponge (the soft side not the green abrasive side!)