DIY Cultured Marble Sink and Shower Repair
Cultured marble is an affordable option for a sink countertop and showers but this product tends to scratch easily and can crack or stain over time requiring repairs. We will guide you in do-it-yourself fixes for common problems encountered with cultured marble that will save you money.
What Is Cultured Marble?
Cultured marble is a smooth resin based man made product designed to look like real marble but for a fraction of the cost. Sinks and other products are formed from molds in a factory. Cultured Marble comes in a variety of colors and patterns for use in kitchen and bathrooms.
Typical Signs of Damage Found With Cultured Marble
Around the home you will find common insulation types with varying costs, R-values, and installation needs. Assume that you choose materials by location, moisture exposure, and required R-value for walls, attics, and crawlspaces.
- Chipping
- Cracks at the drain
- Surface scratches
- Burns
- Staining
- Dullness or hazing
Cultured Marble is repaired with the use of a Cultured Marble Repair Kit. These kits are available from US Bath Products at usbathproducts.com The kit includes everything needed to repair any of the listed damage.
Kit includes the resin, hardener, sandpaper, a mixing cup, application brush and instructions. You can choose the color you want or order a kit with tints to match any color.
DIY Repair Techniques for Cultured Marble
The first step in repairing cultured marble is to clean the area needing repair. Wear gloves and eye protection. Using soap and water remove dirt grime and soap film. Rinse and let dry completely. Follow the directions for use that come in the kit you purchased. The following instructions are a sample of what the procedures will be.
Repairing Chips and Cracks
Cultured marble chips and cracks require sanding the repair are with 120 grit sand paper. If the cracks are raised they can be sanded smooth to match the rest of the fixture surface with 100 grit sand paper then follow with the 120 grit sand paper. Next wipe the repair are with a paper towel wet with Acetone this will dry and evaporate any remaining moisture from the repair area.
Be sure to well ventilate the room you are working in. The product you will be working with is a 2 part epoxy resin. Mix the resin and hardener per the instructions that came in the kit. Working time is between 15-25 minutes before the epoxy hardens.
Apply the epoxy mixture using a brush included in the kit. Fill in the crack or chip including a half an inch around the repair and over any area that was sanded. Smooth and blend into the surrounding area. Let cure until completely hardened this can take up to 24 hours.
Once cured the repair area can be sanded smooth and buffed to match the sheen of the fixture.
Restoring Dull or Stained Surfaces
The cultured marble resin in the kit can also be used as a paint for restoring dull scratched or stained parts of your fixture. Mix the same way as you would for chips and cracks and apply using the supplied brush just as you would paint. The self leveling feature will fill in scratches and cover dull areas. The epoxy resin can then be polished back up to the original sheen once cured.
For stained areas and burns sand the surface until the stain is gone and use the resin to fill in any imperfections and buff once the epoxy cures.
Complete Refinishing Option For Cultured Marble
If you want your bathroom sink or cultured marble countertop to look brand new again think about completely refinishing the fixture. This process is also a do-it-yourself project. Paint is available by the quart at Lowes for about $70 keeping in mind that repairs will have to be completed before refinishing the fixture.
