Category Archives: Solid Surface Showcase

4 Tips to Sanding Corian®: Guidelines for a Perfect Finish

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5" Sanding Kit at SolidSurface.com

5″ Sanding Kit by SolidSurface.com

Sanding is often considered one of the most dreaded parts of most DIY or professional projects. However, perhaps a little shift in perspective is called for here. Instead, imagine this… immediately being able to take something from a lifeless finish to a matte or gloss finish, creating a thing of beauty right before your eyes, in a matter of steps!

The Correct Finish for Corian®* is the One You or Your Client or Customer Prefer

Although you should always go with the finish that either you or your client or customer desires, here are some good rules of thumb to choosing an effective finish:  High use areas call for light colors and a matte finish, as this combination is the least likely to show wear and tear. On the contrary, dark colors with a high gloss finish show wear and tear more readily and are best placed in lower use areas. Whatever finish is chosen, no additional sealers or coatings of any kind are required.

Use Random Orbit Sanding

Using a random orbit sander can provide you with an almost undetectable “scratch pattern.” The random orbit-sanding pad oscillates in a 3/32” circle while rotating at a variable rate, in a circle the width of the sander. The resulting sanding pattern is described as being a “random orbit scratch pattern” that is very difficult to detect compared to scratches left when sanding in a straight line or a circle.

To achieve an even sanding pattern over a large area, move the sander itself, front-to-back, over an area of about 2’ x 2’ and then cover the same area side to side. Repeat this pattern over the area two or three times. Wipe the area thoroughly with water to remove the sanding grit and dust and repeat the process with the next finer grit. Each new pass of the sander (front to back or side-to-side) should overlap the previous pass by 1/3 the diameter of the sanded path.

TIP: we recommend using a 5” or 6” diameter random orbit sander with a hook and loop disc and the ability to collect its dust.

Corian® is the Same Color Throughout, So—Sand Away

Many of the color options for Corian®, as well as other brands of solid surface, arrive from the factory with a matte finish, so sanding with a 280-grit disc will produce a similar matte finish. Before you change to the next finer grit make sure that the sanding scratches from the previous grit are completely removed and you’ll have less work to do. See the section below for how to achieve higher gloss levels.

If necessary, deep cuts or scratches can be removed using 120-grit, followed by 180-grit. When you are sanding out a deep scratch or cut, be aware that you may leave a noticeable indentation if you only sand the immediate area of the cut. Instead, feather sand the area away from the cut. Start by using 120-grit paper to sand away the cut in a tight circular pattern and then increase the sanding radius out to about 12”, spending more time toward the center. Next, sand the entire area with 180-grit paper, feathering out another 8” or more. Remember the color goes all the way through.

TIP: the larger the sanding grit number, the smaller the grit. The reverse is true if you are talking about grit size in microns. Also, positioning a light beyond the area you are sanding will help you see the sanding pattern.

Level of Gloss

In a situation where the countertop surface is completely covered by sanding scratches, the less depth that the scratches have, the higher level of gloss. Or stated differently, if light rays bounce off a surface without being deflected by sanding scratches, then you would see a mirror like reflection. As scratches on the surface become deeper, the light is deflected at greater angles. The resulting images become less distinct and less polished or mirror-like. Ultimately this results in a semi-gloss or blurred image, to even a matte finish where no image is reflected.  For a more in-depth article on finishes, see How to Clean and Refinish Corian® and Other Brands of Solid Surface Countertops.

Using non-woven pads (available in our sanding kits) with a random orbit sander adds an interesting touch to the desired finish that is hard to describe. Sand the surface one final time with 280-grit paper if a matte finish is desired. Making another pass with a maroon colored 320-grit non-woven pad, will give the surface an additional touch of “richness” that is different than if you had used a sanding disc with 320-grit.

The Sanding Sequence

Use 120-grit and 180-grit discs to remove heavy scratches and return the surface a flat finish, similar to the flat finish provided by some sheet manufacturers.

    • Matte finish: Use 280-grit and then the maroon non-woven pad.

    • Satin finish: Use 280-grit, 400-grit, and gray non-woven pad

    • Gloss finish: The degree of gloss appearance desired will depend in part on the material color and particulate composition. Use 280-grit, 400-grit, 600-grit and the gold non-woven pad for a moderate gloss. Then for a higher gloss use the 1000-grit in place of the gold pad and the 2000-grit polishing compound with the white non-abrasive non-woven pad. For the gloss-purest you can buff the surface with an automotive polisher and foam polishing pad glaze. This will yield the ultimate shine!

  • Surface Maintenance: Surface maintenance procedures are dependent on the type of damage and the degree of shine on the finish. Sand out cuts and scratches with 120-grit, 180-grit, and then 280-grit, which will approximate the matte finish of the original piece. Then use the procedures above to match the final finish.

Tip: if a small surface area with a matte finish needs touch-up, experiment with a damp sponge and cleansing powder like Comet®. If there is more sheen than a matte finish then use a cleansing powder and a maroon, grey, or gold non-woven pad.

Grit to Micron Conversion: 120-grit (125 micron), 180-grit (82 micron), 280-grit (52 micron), 400-grit (35 micron), 600-grit (26 micron), 1000-grit (18 micron).

*Corian® (by DuPont™) was invented in 1964 and has become the term used by many to refer to solid surface materials. Since then, several brands have been developed that are all similar in how they look, wear, and are fabricated. Other manufacturers and brands include:  LG Hausys HI-MACS®, LOTTE Staron®, Wilsonart® Solid Surface, Formica® Solid Surface, Hyundai L&C Hanex, Aristech® Avonite Surfaces®, Aristech® STUDIO Collection, Meganite®, and Mystera®, to name a few.

Information in this communication is provided as possible ways among many to accomplish the goals expressed and there are no warranties implied. SurfaceNet LLC dba SolidSurface.com is not liable or responsible for any actions taken.

 

Corian® vs. Granite? The Top 9 Things to Consider

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Corian vs Granite

Return on Investment

Granite is currently a popular countertop material. As such, you will receive a higher price on the sale of your home in the current market if you have high quality granite kitchen countertops. If you’re not planning to sell anytime soon, then a return on investment may not be as important as cost and durability or how it enhances and enlivens your life.

The Winner—Granite, as long as it remains “popular” in the current market.

Cost

Live it up for less! You can purchase extremely attractive, lower cost countertops made with either Corian®* or Granite. Alternatively, you can also spend a small fortune on either to get the latest color and pattern. If you really want that to go all out and cost is not a concern, you can even create an extra special top out of a piece of Granite that contains rare fossils.

When if comes down to general cost comparisons, installed prices (per square foot) for Corian® vary from $30 to $130 and $35 to $225 for Granite.

The Winner—Corian®

Hygiene: Do you prepare food in your kitchen?

In commercial kitchens, any material that comes in contact with food must be NSF/ANSI 51 (National Sanitation Foundation – Food Equipment Materials) certified. Corian® is NSF/ANSI 51 certified since it is non-porous and has non-porous seams (that are invisible.) As a result, Corian® surface does not support the growth of bacteria. On the other hand, Granite does not meet this NSF/ANSI 51 standard, as it is porous and seams within the top can trap bacteria.

The Winner –Corian®

Aesthetically Pleasing

Granite has hundreds of color and pattern options due to its nature-driven pallet. The available selection is so expansive that it’s highly likely there’s an aesthetically pleasing option perfect for you.

Corian® also has over a hundred manmade colors and patterns, some of which mimic nature. Unlike granite however, a range of solid colors are also available. In fact, if you want a solid color to match something precisely, you can send a color sample to DuPont™ and they will custom make sheets for you in that exact color.

The Winner—Both! Go with Granite if colors and patterns designed by nature are your thing. Alternatively, go with Corian® if colors beyond nature excite you. An added Corian® bonus is that it can be custom made to match any color.

Upkeep

Granite needs to be sealed yearly, at a minimum. Corian®, however, never needs sealer or any liquid finish.

When it comes to cleaning, with Granite there is always that nagging concern that if a spill is not cleaned immediately, it will seep through the sealer and into the pores of the material. With Corian®, virtually any stain—including black permanent marker—can be wiped away (even the next day) with Comet® and a wet sponge.

The Winner—Corian®

Restorability and Durability

When it comes to heat resistance, you can’t place a hot pan from the range/stove on Corian®. Conversely, a pan from the range/stove can safely be placed on Granite. Neither Corian® nor Granite can withstand placing a hot pan out of the oven on it. These extreme heat situations can leave a scorched spot on the surface of the Corian® or in the sealer on the granite.

The good news is, if you accidentally scorch your Corian® top, you can always sand away the spot. Unfortunately, this is not the case with Granite, as the scorched sealant can permanently seep into its porous surface. So, be safe and use a trivet!

It’s never advisable to use your Corian® or Granite countertop as a cutting board. Always use a separate cutting board whenever possible. If you do end up scratching the surface of your Corian® countertop, the cuts can be removed by sanding them down. The appearance of cut marks in Granite can be made less visible by adding more sealant, epoxy scratch repair, or using a permanent marking pen.  

The Winner—Corian®

Ease of Fabrication/Installation

If you are experienced at working with wood, you can build your countertop—including sinks, faucets and 1-1/2” thick contoured edges—using Corian® and your woodworking tools. Working with Corian® is basically like working with hardwood.

If you’re adept at stone cutting, you can use diamond-edged tools to create your countertop. Start by purchasing one or more pre-cut, fixed-length blank Granite tops with finished edges. Then, use your diamond-edged tools to cut the holes for the sink and faucets. Another alternative is to fashion the top out of Granite tiles.

The Winner—Both, if you are handy!

Design and Artistic Potential

Granite is extremely flat and rigid material. Therefore, creating tops with flowing curves is not an option. Corian®, on the other hand, can be shaped into virtually any configuration by heating and forming it into the desired shape. This process is called thermoforming.

Another process, called dye sublimation, allows you to embed text and images into the surface of Corian®. This process heats the Corian® to open the pores along with a vacuum that deposits the dye into the surface. When it cools, it is no longer porous and the dye is permanently fixed just below the surface.

The Winner—Corian®  

Natural vs. Manmade vs. Renewable

There is no question about it—Granite is “natural” and it will last a long time. This is especially the case if the sealant successfully prevents the passage of grease, red wine or any other stain-inducing substance through to the Granite surface below. If stains do get deposited into the pores of the Granite, there is little that can be done except to replace the countertop.

Corian® is manmade, and when in need of a facelift, it can be resurfaced in your kitchen to the same “like new” condition as the day it was installed. To accomplish this, use the same sanding steps that were utilized when it was installed. Since the color and pattern are continuous throughout the material, you can give your Corian® countertop a sanding facelift every 10 to 15 years, as needed.

Winner—Both. Choose Granite if “natural” is your preference and Corian® if “renewable” is your preference.

Total “Wins”: Corian® = 4, Granite = 1, Both = 3.

 * DuPont™ Corian® is one of several brands of solid surface, all of which share similar characteristics and are typically used interchangeably. Other major brands include LG™ HI-MACS®, Samsung™ Staron®, Wilsonart™ Solid Surface (formerly Gibraltar®), Formica™ Solid Surface, Hanwha™  Hanex®, Aristech Acrylics™  Avonite®, Meganite™, and Mystera™, to name a few.

Wilsonart Launches 2013 Solid Surface Collection, Inspired by Cityscapes

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The beauty of Wilsonart® Solid Surface brings the glamour of the city lights indoors

Wilsonart Solid Surface Announces 2013 Colors

Wilsonart® Solid Surface released 8 new designs taking as their theme the rich textures,

surfaces and sparkle of the urban landscape. Cityscape, their choice of name for the collection, seeks to add drama and elegance to your residential and commercial space.

As a desirable and affordable alternative to granite and other stone surfaces, this Cityscape collection is sprinkled with quartz and mica like acrylic chips that provide a spark.

This glittery look allows it to easily play a starring role in your classically designed or modernistic space. Or, if it is used as cladding for a high-rise building next door, the cityscape out the windows of this elegant space takes on a new urban appeal.

Wilsonart Solid Surface is naturally resistant to fade, heat, bacteria, mold, mildew and most stains, and is, renewable and repairable. When solid surface sheets are joined together with solid surface adhesive, they become a seamless non porous surface which helps with compliance with NSF/ANSI Standard 51 food contact requirements, making solid surface one of the few surfaces that is safe for food contact and preparation.

Keeping food clean is almost as essential as having clean indoor air which it is also certified to have with their UL GreenGuard Gold certification.

The colors in the Cityscape collection are designed to complement a range of materials like wood, metal, glass and laminate making them the perfect backdrop for sleek and modern accessories in contemporary spaces.

The new colors include:


Garnet Glitz


Gold Glitz


Night Stars


Clouded


Paris Fog


Chipped Chocolate


Maple Harvest


Avalanche Melange

Wilsonart Solid Surface is backed by a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty and is available at kitchen and bath dealers, home centers and local fabricators nationwide.

About Wilsonart

Wilsonart LLC is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of high pressure laminates and other engineered surfaces used in furniture, office and retail space, countertops, worktops and other applications. The company operates under the Wilsonart, Resopal, Polyrey and Arborite brands and has achieved success through a combination of outstanding service, high-quality products and a focus on continuously redefining decorative surfaces through improved performance and aesthetics. For more information, visit www.wilsonart.com or connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Wilsonart is a registered trademark of Wilsonart LLC.

Solid Surface 101: A How-To Fabrication Guide

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We receive all sorts of questions about all aspects of solid surface material.

What is solid surface made from?

Do you have this specific color of solid surface?

How do I thermoform solid surface?

And we work hard to answer every single one of them. But you being a self-sufficient bunch of people — as fabricators, craftspeople, and DIYers often are — we thought we’d provide you something extra:

A free educational series on everything about solid surface. We’re calling it Solid Surface 101.

Here’s what we plan to cover:

  • Introduction to Solid Surface

  • Who Can Buy Solid Surface Materials and Tools? And Where Do We Get It?

  • The Basics: Cutting, Gluing, Seaming and Finishing Solid Surface

  • Countertop Fabrication Essentials: Templating and Edge Build-Up

  • Solid Surface Sink Installation

  • Advanced Techniques in Solid Surface

  • Solid Surface Tips and Tricks to Make Life Easier

We’ll roll out this series over the next several weeks, starting with basic information on solid surface, tooling, and fabricating.  If you want to stay informed of updates, please sign-up for our newsletter using the form at the bottom of any page.

We plan to answer as many of the questions we’ve received over the last few years as possible in this educational series. If you have any questions, feedback, or would like to see any special features covered, please drop us a note!

Schultz Form

The Solid Surface Advantage

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As a craftsperson, DIYer, or fabricator, you are always looking for new, cutting-edge, quality materials to expand your options. Solid surface is one of the most versatile and unique materials available. Consider some of the many benefits to using solid surface material:

  • Easy to work with
  • Literally seamless
  • Extremely durable and sustainable
  • Nonporous and hygienic
  • Offered in a wide selection of colors and patterns
  • Easily repaired if damaged
  • No bowing, cupping or warping
  • No grain or splitting to worry about

Solid surface material is also a great alternative to wood. Solid surface is not affected by changing humidity. Its nonporous and hygienic properties make it a perfect countertop choice for water prone areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. In fact, it is so nonporous that you can remove a mark left by a permanent marker, for example, with a mild cleanser and Scotch- Brite® pad.

Another bonus to working with solid surface is that it carries the National Sanitation Foundation certification (NSF 51), which means it’s a suitable surface for a food preparation.

Where can you purchase solid surface material for the best price?

SolidSurface.com offers most major brands to professionals and the public, including homeowners and DIYers. Use our powerful online search tools to locate a specific brand, color, size or price. SolidSurface.com has a huge selection of overstock material in full and partial sheets at a fraction of the price.

Whether you are planning to turn material to make pens or hotplates, or you are working on a large kitchen or bathroom remodel, SolidSurface.com has the material to fit your needs.