Tag Archives: Corian

Tips for Successfully Seaming Corian® & Other Solid Surface Brands

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Integra Adhesives

Integra Adhesives

Have you ever spent hours correctly measuring, cutting and fitting pieces of Corian® or other solid surface material together, only to have your seams fail? If you have, then you know how frustrating this can be!

How do you avoid this? The key is to keep your solid surface adhesive live and performing throughout the fabrication process. Here are some highly effective strategies for storing and applying adhesive to ensure the best possible performance and seaming success:

Adhesive Care

  • Store adhesive upright in a cool dry place that is away from direct sunlight.
  • Store adhesive in an air-conditioned room or a refrigerator designed for the storage of flammable products to extend its shelf life. (NOTE: Do not store adhesive alongside food.)
  • Store upright to allow any trapped air bubbles to reach the top (outlet) of the cartridge and be eliminated during the initial purge. To purge, hold the cartridge at an upward angle, mixing tip NOT attached, and dispense approximately a tablespoon into a disposable container like a paper cup. Make sure you see adhesive dispensing from both sides of the cartridge.
  • Do not use the adhesive if it has been exposed for an extended period to high temperatures during transport or storage. In this situation, the activator (catalyst) may break down and lose strength.
  • High temperature decomposition of the activator can also release gasses into the activator component, which may impact the consistency of the cure, leaving uncured spots.

If stored correctly the adhesive can last for a year. However, the activator portion will slowly lose reactivity over time. If in doubt, run a test by dispensing a ¼” bead on cardboard and if a slow, uneven or incomplete cure results, discard the adhesive.

In addition to properly caring for your adhesive, following these eight performance guidelines will help ensure successful seaming during your fabrication process:

Performance

  • Allow both the adhesive and solid surface sheet material being joined to reach a room temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) before assembling.  Bringing material into a warm humid room after being cold can cause moisture to condense on the surface, which can interfere with bonding.
  • Fabricating cold sheets in a warm room will cause the adhesive on the edge of the joint to cure faster than the adhesive deep in the joint. This is because cold solid surface materials absorb a significant portion of the energy from the chemical reaction, resulting in less than optimal curing conditions. This can ultimately cause a weakening of the seams in those areas. It is best practice to let the sheets reach room temperature.
  • Another reason to allow cold adhesive to return to room temperature before use is that some adhesive components become thicker at low temperatures. This creates higher pressure that may flex the cartridge wall and throw off the mix ratio.
  • If you re-warm adhesive, make sure the cartridge outlet plug is in place rather than the mixing tip. Adhesive left in the tip will warm faster and may expand back into the activator chamber where the two components will harden and result in a plugged cartridge.
  • Never expose adhesive to high heat. Warming adhesive above 110 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the activator component.
  • When gluing pieces together, run two small beads (one over the other) instead of a larger single bead. Overlapping adhesive streams will greatly reduce the possibility of under cured areas caused by air bubbles, from the activator side of the cartridge, mixing in with the base component in place of activator.
  • Use the full stroke of the trigger to maintain a smooth and constant feed pressure. Quickly re-trigger the gun and continue this technique until dispensing is complete. This application technique will help to prevent adhesive from seeping out of the tip between strokes. Using a dripless adhesive gun is also beneficial.
  • Apply as little pressure as possible to dispense the adhesive and maintain a constant forward motion of the cartridge pistons to minimize off-ratio dispensing. We recommend an 18:1 thrust ratio on the gun for smooth dispensing.

Here’s to Your Seaming Success!

Using a quality dispensing gun and quality adhesives, storing them correctly and following the simple procedures outlined above will result in a flawless seam most every time. If the viability of your adhesive is ever in doubt, simply run a ¼” diameter test bead on some scrap cardboard for a couple of feet and look for slow, uneven or incomplete cure results. Once you are certain you have live and performing adhesive, you’re fabrication process should go seamlessly!

Visit our Working With Solid Surface guide to learn more great fabrication techniques.

With DuPont™ Corian® and Zodiaq®, David Bromstad Helps Homeowners Find Their Personality

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Designer and TV personality David Bromstad is now the creative consultant for DuPont Corian® and Zodiaq®.

DuPont Building Innovations Reveals Design Personalities with David Bromstad to Encourage the Use of More Expressive Color in Home Design

 

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Energetic and animated designer and TV personality David Bromstad is dropping his paint brush for a moment to infuse color in interior design through the use of beautiful and dynamic DuPont™ Corian® solid surfaces and DuPont™ Zodiaq® quartz surfaces.

Bromstad has worked with DuPont to design a fun quiz that will determine which one of seven distinct design personalities match a homeowner’s style to help in their quest to create personalized, inspiring kitchens and bathrooms using DuPont™ Corian® and Zodiaq® surfaces.

“Homeowners typically have one chance to design their kitchens and bathrooms, which are among the most used spaces in a home,” said David Bromstad. “Our design tools help to make it easier and more rewarding by introducing homeowners to their design personality and giving them a color palette to work with.”

After answering a few simple questions through a visual quiz, users are introduced to one of seven design personalities that best resonates with their style. Design personalities include:

  • The Collector: Every piece in her home tells a story. The Collector mixes textures from found objects with more classic styles for a palette based on rich browns and dark lichen. Light is brought in by sunshine yellow and soft greens.
  • The Socialite: The Socialite knows confidence is her best accessory. She’s self-assured at home and at work – always leading by example. Lighter grays and warm tones of sand are balanced by rich, jet black to create a feeling of luxury and longevity.
  • The Multi-tasker: The Multi-Tasker approaches life at full force – balancing and adjusting to the moment to meet it with exuberance. A family-friendly palette that is fresh, realistic, modern and classic – and infused with a much-needed jolt of coffee.
  • The Entertainer: With an eye for modern sophistication, the Entertainer is comfortable no matter where he is – which is usually at the center of any situation. Graphic red and black contrast for a high-end feel, but are softened with warm taupe and golden yellow for a truly sophisticated theme.
  • The Creator: The Creator loves anything quirky; what most people shy away from, he embraces. Mixed media, textures and inspirations make the color palette. From pairing water blues with coffee browns, this is experimentation at its bravest.
  • The Naturalist: The Naturalist feels most at home in the great outdoors and strives to bring a sense of well-being into her home. Soft buttery browns complement light beige and cream tones while speckle textures commonly found in stone and granite inspire solid surfaces.
  • The Traveler: The world is his inspiration. The Traveler mixes the best objects found in his travels – things that have an international significance to his life – to create a multi-cultural lifestyle. Anything exotic and unique is his normal; pottery clay, cobalt and indigo his color palette.

 

DuPont Building Innovations is a driving force in the transformation of the building and construction industry through its use of building and materials science to solve emerging needs and create value for its commercial and residential customers. The company maintains its industry-leading position by applying innovative thinking to the development of energy-saving weatherization systems and beautiful and long-lasting surfacing solutions. DuPont Building Innovations’ best-known products and premier brands include: DuPont™ Corian® solid surfaces, DuPont™ Zodiaq® quartz surfaces, DuPont™ Tyvek® Weatherization Systems and a broad portfolio of garden and landscaping products.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.

Like Corian® on Facebook at Corian® Design and follow them on Twitter @coriandesign.

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The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Tyvek®, Corian® and Zodiaq® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates. Only DuPont makes Corian® and Zodiaq® surfaces.

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.

Solid Surface Countertops to Deliver Wireless Power?

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A rendering of the new PMA compatible Duracell Powermat wireless charger for the iPhone 5 being charged on a DuPont Corian kitchen countertop. (PRNewsFoto/Power Matters Alliance)

Imagine lying your mobile phone or tablet on the kitchen counter — or any countertop, from office work areas to tables — and have the device automatically start charging … no wires or wall-plugs required.

That seems to be the future for Corian® Solid Surface Countertops, which has recently joined the Power Matters Alliance (PMA) to work on creating wireless charging solutions that are embedded right into the solid surface material.

Corian® Solid Surface Countertops are already certified as environmentally friendly by the Environment GreenGuard and NBGS Green; this kind of innovation is another plus for those of us who work with solid surface — when the manufacturer is creative and innovative, we get to be creative and innovative too.

Embedding wireless power isn’t a totally new idea. Many PMA-compliant products are already being used in retail shops, malls, hair salons, and airports. General Motors plans on including them in upcoming car models. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf just began rolling out wireless charging “stations” in their Los Angeles based stores this summer, and Starbucks is testing them out in Boston.

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