How to Remove Scratch from Granite

As a homeowner, learning how to remove a scratch from granite could be one of your priorities. After all, your granite countertop is one of your most significant investments. It would be a shame to find even a little scratch on a valuable possession. Here, we’ll teach you how to fix granite scratch easily using some materials you can find at home or your local hardware store.

Why Granite Gets Scratched

Granite is one of the best and most durable countertop materials in the market today. It is generally made up of quartz, feldspar, and a mixture of many different minerals that dictate its other properties. On the Mohs Hardness Scale, it scores a rating of 7 (with diamonds having a rating of 10), making it one of the hardest materials on Earth.

Granite is often the number one choice for homeowners for their kitchen countertop because of its beauty and durability. But despite its high hardness rating, your granite countertop is still susceptible to damage.

Located in one of the areas in your home with the most traffic, your granite kitchen countertop is often exposed to plenty of activity that can damage it. For one, cooking activities often involve sharp knives, kitchen equipment with sharp edges, rough materials, and other hard kitchen materials. Any of these activities could end up causing unsightly scratches on your countertop surface. Even experienced cooks can make the mistake of cutting ingredients on the surface when they’re not paying attention.

Other day-to-day activities can also cause scratches on your countertop surface. Leaving cutlery on the surface, placing heavy equipment, or even dropping keys on your countertop can leave tiny scratches on your granite countertop.

Before Granite Scratch Repair

It can be very heartbreaking when you see scratches form on your beloved granite countertops. But every cloud has a silver lining. There are easy ways to fix scratched granite countertops at home. Here are some DIY tips to help you repair scratched granite countertops and get it to pristine shape.

But before we proceed with how to remove scratches from granite, we’ll need to prepare a few things.

Things You Need

• Pieces of cloth
• Mild cleaning agent
• Toothpick or cotton swab
• Soap
• Warm water
• Polishing paste
• Fine sandpaper or steel wool
• Acrylic repair kit
• Color enhancer (same color as your countertop)

Safety Tips

Make sure you wear proper protective equipment when dealing with chemicals. Although most of the agents mentioned above are relatively mild, they can still cause irritation.

• Use rubber gloves to avoid irritation on the skin.
• Wear a face mask to protect yourself from fumes.
• Clean water spills immediately, especially soapy spills, to avoid slipping and possible injuries.

How to Remove Scratch from Granite

You won’t need to look far to figure out how to fix scratched granite. Here, we share a few tips on how to get a scratch out of granite, so you don’t have to worry about its beauty fading. Take a look at the steps below.

Inspecting Your Granite

The very first thing you have to do is to evaluate the extent of the scratch. This will help you determine your course of action. The first step is to clean your countertop surface to give you a clear view of the scratch.

1. Mix mild soap and warm water in a bowl or bucket.
2. Using a piece of cloth, clean your countertop surface using the mild soap solution to remove any buildup of dirt or grime.
3. Soak the surface with the soap solution for a few minutes before wiping it with the cloth if the dirt is too hard to remove.
4. For stubborn grease, use acetone.
5. Inspect the scratches carefully to see what you’re up against. DIY granite scratch repair can be complicated if the scratches are too deep.

Removing the Scratch

Once you’ve sufficiently cleaned the surface and inspected the scratch’s extent, you can then proceed with its actual removal. To learn how to fix a scratched granite, please read the steps carefully below.

1. Make sure the surface is sufficiently dry. Use a piece of dry cloth to remove any moisture left on the surface.
2. Use polishing paste to remove etching on your granite countertop. This will only be necessary when your surface is polished and you notice the presence of etching. Follow the steps indicated on the packaging.
3. Buff out the scratch on the surface using a piece of fine sandpaper or steel wool. Use moderate pressure, enough to even the countertop surface.
4. Test the buffed out surface to see if it needs resealing. Add a few droplets of water on the surface. If dark spots are present after 10 to 15 minutes, you may need to reseal your countertop. You can use a countertop sealer that you can find in your local hardware store.

Concealing a Scratch

An alternative to buffing out scratches is to use a sealant to conceal them. This is helpful when scratches are slightly deeper.

1. Use your fingers to apply a small amount of acrylic repair to fill the gaps. Wipe off any excess amount.
2. In some cases, the acrylic applied may not match the color of your countertop. You will need to use a color enhancer that matches your granite countertop’s color to conceal the acrylic. For darker countertops, especially black ones, a marker will suffice.

How does a perfect scratch-free granite countertop look? Check one of our Northfield, Il, granite countertop projects to see.

Check the project

Conclusion

When learning how to remove a scratch from your granite countertops, it is crucial to first understand the nature of the scratch. This helps to identify the specific course of action that you need to take to repair it. Being prepared and understanding the scratch type can help minimize any damage done to the surface and reduce the overall cost.

However, these only cover shallow scratches. For deeper scratches and other damage, we recommend opting for a new countertop. In such a case, turn to our team at Granite Selection for an upgrade. From white countertops to help modernize your kitchen to working with an existing color scheme, we offer a variety of high-quality natural stones for your home.

We are located in Elk Grove Village, Il and take on projects within a 70-mile radius. If you’re interested in learning more about natural stone countertops for your kitchen or bathroom in Chicago, call us at (888) 906 3317 today.