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How to remove bleach mark from benchtop?

I’ve never had a laminate or melamine bench top (not sure which I’m dealing with) and left a bottle of bleach on it for a minute. I put the bottle away, came back a few minutes later and found this. I’ve tried soap, bicarb and vinegar, Bar Keepers Friend, jewellery cleaner, Windex, rubbing some olive oil into it (desperate!) and nothing seems to work. I expect I need to apply some kind of sealer/coating/finish to the bench top as the mark isn’t visible while it’s wet or oily, only once it dries. Any advice is much appreciated!

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EricL

Hello @sharrison

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your laminated benchtop.

I'm sorry to hear that you've run into this little accident. I'm afraid bleach stands up to its reputation, and it has bleached the protective surface layer of the laminate panel. I'm very impressed as you've certainly given it a go in regards to the possibility of polishing or rendering the surface. For a possible temporary repair, I suggest using Waxstix Ebony Timbermate Touch Up Wax Crayon. Gently rub the Waxstix over the damaged section to reduce bleached section.

This is of course a temporary fix, and you'll need to touch it up from time-to-time. But if you are after a permanent fix, I suggest engaging the services of a benchtop restoration professional. They will have the tools knowledge and materials to fix the damage on your benchtop.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

sharrison

Thanks @EricL

Just confirming the ebony colour is the right one for a blue bench top?

MitchellMc

Hi @sharrison,

Looking at your photo, the darker part of the pattern does seem to be almost a very dark blue or close to black. I think Eric was suggesting the ebony-coloured Waxstix crayon to add some darker speckling to the high points over the damaged area. That could help slightly blend the surface, but I’m not convinced it will resolve the issue.

From what I can see, you have a fairly definitive arced bleach mark on your benchtop. The wax crayon might disguise it a little, but it’s unlikely to make the mark disappear. Unfortunately, this is one of those situations where the bleach has damaged the protective laminate layer, and I'm not aware of any sealers designed specifically for laminate surfaces that will make it vanish. You could try the wax crayon as a temporary visual fix, but for a permanent solution, a benchtop restoration professional is really the only way to fully repair the area.

Mitchell

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