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buffing scratched Cambria quartz countertop

15 years ago

We recently installed dark brown solid color Cambria quartz countertops in our remodeled kitchen. Not long after completion of the project two 4-5" scratches appeared in one area of the countertop. I tried to remove the scratches using a special very fine abrasive designed to remove scratches from glass doors. The scratches were removed but the process left the surface with two slightly visible blemishes. I called Cambria and they were unhelpful, saying there was nothing to be done about surface blemishes or scratches. Local reps came and they said the same. I can't believe there isn't a way to buff these areas out. Does anyone have experience with a commercial buffing disc, compound or other method to try short of replacing that (large) piece of countertop?. Thanks.

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Comments (3)

Circus Peanut
15 years ago
I have no experience with quartz, so take this all as completely novice input, but it sounds like you could try removing the initial haze by buffing with increasingly fine levels of micro-grit (if you haven't already). Start with 2400 and move your way up to 8000 or so. I've had great luck polishing glass scratches with a wet/dry flexible sandpaper called MicroMesh.

Rather than doing it by hand, I can highly recommend my Porter Cable 7424 electric buffer for this kind of work -- a plus if you can market it to folks in your family as a new toy for maintaining the car, too. ;-)

I might also try using jeweler's rouge (tripoli). They market all sorts of compounds specially for glass and stone.

You could also try dry polishing the areas with special stone polishing pads like these, although I'd probably try the wetter methods first.

But definitely wait and see if one of the stone/quartz experts comes by with some experienced input. Good luck!
denisa_k
15 years ago
Hi,

We have black Cambria with several blemishes from using Scratch Pad (we were told completely no problems using it....). Were you able to find a solution for re-polishing yours? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.
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mitchdesj
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My island was totally replaced because of my installers trying to buff out a scratch, the scratch was minimized but the finish was marred, definitely not the same sheen anymore in that area. They tried and tried apparently, but you could definitely tell where the repair had been done ; I have no clue what they used, I came home after the repair attempt and it was not acceptable.

I don't see how you can restore a factory finish, you'd have to add a coating of some kind to disguise the loss of sheen ; keep us posted on your progress, I hope you find a solution.

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