Skip to main content
#
Armortech Resurfacing Inc.
rss feedemail usour twitterour facebook page youtube
prev
next
Sunday, August 26 2018

Epoxy countertops are lightweight, durable, resistant to an astounding array of chemical compounds, and are so non-porous that bacteria can't find a place to settle in where your cleaning sponge can't reach. These facts can make them a wise choice for not only your home but also for many business types such as restaurants, bars, hotels and cafes, amongst others. However, as durable as it may be, your new epoxy countertop will require proper care to keep them in tip top shape and to maintain the very high luster they are so well known for.

Below we have listed the best practices in caring for your new epoxy countertops. In most cases, your epoxy countertop will have been sealed and protected beneath a layer of one of many various types of FDA food safe topcoats. Please speak with your coating specialist at Armortech Resurfacing regarding the proper care of the type of topcoat applied to your specific countertop.

  1. Never use abrasive materials to clean your epoxy countertop. This point can’t be emphasized strongly enough. To put it plainly, abrasive cleaners, tools, and scrub pads will dull and damage the epoxy surface. That may be great if your intent is to have a matte type finish, not so good if you desire the shine epoxy surfaces are so well known for. The best way to clean an epoxy countertop is to simple wipe the surface down when needed with a sponge, soft cloth, or chamois cloth and one of the following cleaners, soft soaps and liquid detergents such as Dawn, Joy, and Ivory, etc., Simple Green, Formula 409, Fantastic, Dow, Windex, Bon Ami, Scrub Free, and Mr. Clean.

    DO NOT USE: Vinegar, Citrus Cleaners, Bleach, Ajax, Comet, abrasive scratch pads, harsh abrasives, steel wool, or undiluted ammonia.

    Never use cleaning compounds with citrus or acid in them. Citrus cleaners and vinegar will break down the epoxy catalyst and must be avoided. The use of a steam cleaner is also not recommended. Steam cleaners can cause excessive heat shock which may cause blistering and subsequent adhesion failure.

     
  2. Wipe up spills immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so clean up those spills before they have a chance to dry or even stain the surface. You can use any soft cloth, towel, or rag and for extra gentle cleaning try using a chamois cloth.
     
  3. Use a mild soft soap for stubborn cleaning. This should be more than enough to get rid of any food, light dirt, or grime that finds its way onto your countertops without being so harsh as to wear down the surface in any way. If you are trying to save money or would prefer a more natural cleaning solution you can also use a clear ammonia and water mix (at 2-3 ounces of ammonia per gallon of warm water to wipe the surface down. Please note, do not allow the ammonia and water to stand on the epoxy surface for more than a minute or so before wiping off.
     
  4. Do not chop or cut directly on the counter. Use a cutting board instead to avoid scratching or scoring damage.
     
  5. Use mineral oil to restore original shine and luster. It might make some people to shutter to think of pouring oil onto your epoxy countertop, but it can actually be quite beneficial in hiding small surface scratches and restoring the original shine. To accomplish this simply pour a small amount of clear mineral oil (available at most Walmart’s or local pharmacies) on a soft polishing cloth or drizzle a narrow bead across the surface and lightly hand buff and polish to bring back the original luster and hide most minor surface scratches.
     
  6. Accidental Scratch or Scoring damage. Should the countertop surface become heavily scratched or scored by abrasive materials it may be necessary to take additional steps to repair. To accomplish this first clean the surface with an approved cleaning method listed above. Then apply an approved polish or glaze coat to the surface. Zep products work well with our epoxies and can be easily found at Lowes’, and Home Depot or online. Buckeye CastleGuard® is also an excellent wax type product that is most easily found online. When applied routinely these products will not only hide existing scratches, but will also protect the surface from future scratches. Repeated applications building up the thickness of the polish or glaze coat will provide improved scratch resistance. Deep scratches and or gouges that penetrate through the decorative epoxy layer will need professional repair and likely re-coating of the topcoat. Please contact the coating specialists at Armortech Resurfacing, Inc if this should occur.

    Follow these simple steps and keep your epoxy countertops looking great for years to come.

     

Caring for your countertop will take a minimal amount of time, but it will need to be done on a regular basis to keep it shining for many years after the installation. If you have questions feel free to ask your floor coating specialist at Armortech Resurfacing, Inc. to make sure you know and use the right cleaning tools and supplies to clean your particular surface.

Posted by: Armortech AT 01:22 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Comments:

Post comment
Name
 *
Email Address

Message
(max 750 characters)
*
* Required Fields
Note: All comments are subject to approval. Your comment will not appear until it has been approved.

About Armortech

 

Surface restoration and refinishing is not just what we do, it is our passion and our craft. And, it is our dedication to our craft that allows us to approach each project with enthusiasm and a desire to provide the highest level of craftsmanship each and every time.

Prior to establishing Armortech Resurfacing, the two founders honed their craft, and accumulated decades of experience working for others in the construction industry, including one of the top land-based flooring contractors in the country. Over those years, they not only mastered the multitude of techniques and procedures required to expertly apply a variety of epoxy products to many very different surfaces. They also gained the project management skills needed to successfully run multiple teams of skilled tradesmen and laborers for an interior design firm servicing some of the biggest names in the cruise line industry, in drydocks from Europe to the Bahamas.

After reaching the proverbial glass ceiling, they decided to break out on their own and formed Armortech Resurfacing, Inc. with the vision of bringing their decades of expertise working with specialty coatings and seamless epoxy flooring to their community, friends, and neighbors.

We look forward to the opportunity to earn your business and are confident our meticulous attention to detail, dedication to quality craftsmanship, and service will make us your first choice when considering a specialty coatings contractor.

Site Mailing List 

Armortech Resurfacing, Inc., operates in Oregon & Southwest Washington.
Our service area includes the greater Portland Vancouver metro area, the North Oregon Coast and the following cities.


SW Washington
Amboy, WA - Ariel, WA - Battle Ground, WA - Brush Prairie, WA - Camas, WA - Castle Rock, WA - Chelatchie, WA - Cougar, WA - Hazel Dell, WA - Kalama, WA - Kelso, WA - La Center, WA - Longview, WA - Mill Plain, WA - Minnehaha, WA - Hockinson, WA - Orchards, WA - Ridgefield, WA - Salmon Creek, WA - Vader, WA - Vancouver, WA - Washougal, WA - Winlock, WA - Woodland, WAYacolt, WA - Yale, WA

Portland Metro Area
Beaverton, OR - Clackamas, OR - Gladstone, OR - Gresham, OR - Happy Valley, OR - Hillsboro, OR - Lake Oswego, OR - Milwaukee, OR - Oregon City, OR - Portland, OR - Tigard, OR - Tualatin, OR

North Oregon Coast
Astoria, OR - Gearhart, ORSeaside, OR - Warrenton, OR
 

Copyright © 2017-2024 Armortech Resurfacing, Inc. All rights reserved.