Corian Countertops

[Gadget Man]

The DW & I went to the final day of the California RV Show today in Pomona. We were shocked to see the grounds to be nearly empty. Less than a third of the people that we saw last year. A Fleetwood rep. that I spoke to said it was the most unattended show in the their history. While good deals were to be had on a new RV (unfortunately I was only there to look at all of the RV gadgets and accessories), it was a sad reminder of the state of our current economy.

While touring the 2008 version of my MH, I noticed how nice and shiny the Corian countertops seemed compared to the ones in my 3 year old coach. I've been using Protect-All on them since I purchased it. The gloss however seems to fade rather rapidly. Is there a better polish available or an alternate method of restoring the luster? Can they be professionally restored?

Craig

[Gadget Man]

The DW & I went to the final day of the California RV Show today in Pomona. We were shocked to see the grounds to be nearly empty. Less than a third of the people that we saw last year. A Fleetwood rep. that I spoke to said it was the most unattended show in the their history. While good deals were to be had on a new RV (unfortunately I was only there to look at all of the RV gadgets and accessories), it was a sad reminder of the state of our current economy.

While touring the 2008 version of my MH, I noticed how nice and shiny the Corian countertops seemed compared to the ones in my 3 year old coach. I've been using Protect-All on them since I purchased it. The gloss however seems to fade rather rapidly. Is there a better polish available or an alternate method of restoring the luster? Can they be professionally restored?

Craig

[MonacoMama]

I attended a "seminar" on Corian at the Monaco rally last month and the gentleman had mentioned that Corian can be "restored". You should look in your "yellow pages" for a local Corian dealer/installer.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Corian is a very soft material that gets thousands of minute scratches fairly quickly. It nneds to be polished periodically, not just waxed with something like Protect-All (a product I love, by the way, but not for Corian). You can find Corian polishes in kitchen stores and the cleaner aisle in the grocery of a Super Walmart. Lowes or Home Depot too. Weiman's is one well known brand we have used. Usually they are a polish that you rub on and buff. Works fine if the surface just has everyday wear.

If you have deeper scratches (knife cuts, for example) you will need a much heavier duty polish, a buffing machine and perhaps professional help.

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Craig P.:

While touring the 2008 version of my MH, I noticed how nice and shiny the Corian countertops seemed compared to the ones in my 3 year old coach. I've been using Protect-All on them since I purchased it. The gloss however seems to fade rather rapidly. Is there a better polish available or an alternate method of restoring the luster? Can they be professionally restored?

Craig </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Craig,

Corian by nature has a matt finish and does not come polished. It is the installer that decides what level to polish it up to. To create a more natural stone finish they use a medium Scotch Bright scouring pad. For a high gloss finish they use a buffing machine and a polishing compound formulated for Corian.

There are different buffing compound for each brand of top but any countertop installer that works with the brand of solid surface material used in your coach will be able to polish it for you. Check with Fleetwod first and verify whether you have Corian, Surell, Pionite or another brand of counter and the check your local yellow pages for an installer who specializes in that brand.

[Madame Boomer]

I have a ???? regarding Corian countertops that hopefully someone's wisdom and experience will help me!!!

I had a bottle of cooking oil turn over in the cabinet during a trip. Unfortantely about a 1/2 cup it leaked onto the countertop.

I've tried to clean it up with soap and water, soft scrub and other over the counter cleaners, but there is still a "sticky residue" that I can't seem to get off in a couple of corner areas.

Any ideas???

Sandy

[Route 66]

HERE is a link to the DuPont web site on Corian care.

[rebelsbeach]

A note of caution here.....Be aware that "Corian" is sometimes used in conversations and while you may indeed have a similar "solid surface" countertop, you may have some other "brand" with different characteristics...

Sort of like when non RV'ers all say we drive "Winnnebagos" and such....
Every now and then I meet an old acquaintance that says they heard I was traveling in one of them "Winnebagos"....

Just a thought...

[nhgeezer]

Our 18 year old Corian counters, vanety, and kitchen table are very much like new using a good amonia based soap and occasionaly SoftScrub. That is all they have even hadsince we have owned the rig.

Brad & Lucy aka the Geezer & The Hedgehog
1990 Foretravel 38' DP
Kitty Kat: Earl
Whitey Ford the Explorer riding the car trailer
Navigation: CoPilot 9 on a lap top
ASE Master Technician
SAE

[Gadget Man]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rebelsbeach:
A note of caution here.....Be aware that "Corian" is sometimes used in conversations and while you may indeed have a similar "solid surface" countertop, you may have some other "brand" with different characteristics... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Very good point Bob, Thanks. I indeed have Corian countertops in the kitchen, bath and bedroom vanity, at least that's what my Fleetwood documentation tells me.

Thanks to Dirk for DuPont's link. I spoke with a DuPont rep., and she suggested a repair kit sold by a company called Micro-Surface. I went to their web site and ordered their repair kit. I'll keep you folks posted on the results.

Thanks again!

Craig

[Route 66]

As usual, there is never a charge for assistance here on iRV2.

[Route 66]

As usual, there is never a charge for assistance here at iRV2.

[M&S Norrell]

I actually have both the Corian top and a "fake" solid surface counter cast from fiberglass with the color integrated all the way through. THis is very easy if you have a buffer.
I first utilized 1000 grit sandpaper (wetsand) on a buffer wheel, then 1500 grit (wet sand) at a speed of approx. 2200rpm. Then I used 3M Rubbing Compound Extra Cut with the buffer (wool pad), again at about 2200rpm. Then finished with 3M Perfect it. Fabulous shine!!!!
Good Luck.
Sue

[Beabop]

I use Counter Magic available at the Home Box stores. It has kept our solid surface counters looking new.