How to fix burn mark on timber benchtop?

[reachvsrich]

Hi there,

I had a burn mark on the surface of a kitchen bench top (the timber type is 24mm birch ply), because of a hot pot. 

I think below are the best ways to fix it;

1. Sanding the burn mark and varnish

2. Replacing the burn mark part to a same or similar wood

3. Replacing the burn mark part to a cheaper material

Is there any other ways that I can work on?

Does anyone know how the rough prices will be?

Thanks!

[Jason]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @reachvsrich. It's great to have you join us. Feel free to post anytime you need a hand or have a project to share with other members.

How close is the mark to the edge of the benchtop @reachvsrich? I wonder whether an appliance like a microwave, toaster or coffee machine might be able to be relocated on top of the mark to hide it?

Certainly our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts will be happy to share their advice on how to go about a repair if you'd like to fix it. They will get back to you as soon as possible. Let me also tag a few other helpful members such as @Jewelleryrescue and @Nailbag for their thoughts, too. 

Jason

[EricL]

Hello @reachvsrich 

Thanks for sharing your question about how to repair a burn mark on your benchtop. Your ideas are quite sound, but before using sandpaper, I suggest using Scotch-Brite 155 x 100mm Heavy Duty Scourer Pad and ordinary dish washing soap. Scrub the the burned surface in a linear fashion going left to right. Do not be tempted to do a circular motion. 

This cleaning method will take some time, but it will reduce the brown burn marks on your benchtop. Sandpaper is too harsh and will strip the laminate top off, with the Scourer pad you'll have much better control. Concentrate only on the burn marks and brown areas, your goal is to bring it back to the same shade as the benchtop. 

When you feel that you've cleaned it off as best you can, I suggest going to the store and having a look at the colour samples and see which one is closest to your benchtop colour. Once you've chosen your colour ask the paint specialist for a sample pot. Using a fine brush touch up the deep burned areas of the benchtop. Remember that your paint is water based and can be thinned out. A light coat slowly built up is better than a thick coat that will stand out.

This will at least reduce the visual impact of the damage. The ideal repair method is of course to replace the laminate top or replace the benchtop itself. A quick easy disguise is to cover the area with a display or potted plant or perhaps a Urban 40cm Ripple Mango Wood Board Cutting/chopping Block - Natural/white.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Though not as severe, by coincidence I have recently repaired the same issue on a spotted gum bench top. Albeit the burn mark will be deep in to the grain, you can't just sand in the area of damage without creating a noticeable depression, it will need blending. In other words a focused sand in in the same direction as the grain working back to a lighter one further out all the way to each end of the top. Don't use a power sander for this because regardless of type it will result in swirl marks that will come out in what ever clear coat you use. I would gently start with an 80G no-clog paper to 180 and then 240. Then apply your coating and give it a light sand of 400G between the first two coats to remove the fine timber hairs and none after the final.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @reachvsrich,

I see my colleague @EricL missed that it's a timber benchtop and not a laminate one. Their advice on not sanding aggressively is sound, as you don't want to sand through the relatively thin top ply layer. I'd say @Nailbag is on the money. I think I'd start at 120-grit sandpaper, as 80 might be a bit harsh.

If you weren't able to remove the mark by sanding, perhaps you could consider cutting out the burnt section and installing a Marble Trivet White Square 20x20cm flush with the surrounding surface. You'd then have a heat-resistant spot to pop your pot on if needed.

Mitchell

[EricL]

Hello @reachvsrich 

My apologies for the miscommunication. I was looking at the laminated benchtop pictures that were on display. For a timber benchtop repair, I suggest going with @Nailbag's detailed recommendation on repairing a timber benchtop. Just to add to the suggestions made, I recommend using a Rocket Fine Sanding Sponge over your sandpaper to maintain a uniform finish on the surface.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @EricL I think the system may have had a glitch. It came up in my preview as a laminate repair but when I opened the post it was for timber. Technology?