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Hi,
This table is brand new and we hosted a korean bbq night but unfortunately so hot oil/grease sat long enough to cause this burn mark.
What would be the best course of action to repair it in any way?
Hello @Alainf90
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your table.
Can you please tell us if this is a real timber table or a laminated surface that is embossed to look like timber. If it is timber, I would generally suggest sanding the surface down and resealing the surface of the benchtop. But if it is a laminated surface, I can only suggest a paint touch up with a paint colour that is close to the finish of the table. As soon as you tell us what the table material is we'll be able to offer more advice in regards to repairs.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hello @Alainf90
Thank you for the additional details. To address the damaged area, I recommend lightly sanding it with 240-grit sandpaper to remove the affected section. For a quick and effective repair, you can seal the sanded area using a product such as Cabot's 500ml Satin Water Based Cabothane Clear Polyurethane Timber Varnish, or a similar water-based polyurethane. This will help protect the exposed timber; however, please be aware that the newly sealed section may appear different from the original finish, as it is unlikely to match exactly without knowing the original sealer or manufacturer specifications.
When you're ready to fully restore the table, the best approach is to sand back the entire surface to remove the existing sealer. Once the surface is clean and uniform, you can apply a new sealer of your choice to achieve a consistent and refreshed finish across the entire piece.
If you have any other question we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @Alainf90,
Thanks for the update. Polywood is generally a synthetic material—often a blend of recycled plastics and wood fibres—designed to imitate the appearance of timber while offering greater weather resistance and durability. That would explain the type of damage you’re seeing, as the burn looks more like melted plastic than charred wood.
Unfortunately, repairs to this kind of material are quite limited. You could try very lightly sanding the area to see if you can smooth out the surface and blend the edges of the mark. However, given that the burn appears quite deep, you're unlikely to expose a consistent timber-look layer beneath—it’s more likely you’ll end up with a dull, plain plastic surface where the textured or coloured outer layer has been melted away.
Another option is to carefully sand it smooth, then fill the area with a timber filler, and attempt to colour-match it using furniture touch-up crayons. Just keep in mind that these types of repairs are rarely invisible—it's likely the mark will still be noticeable, especially on a brand-new table.
If the damage is particularly frustrating, it might be worth checking with the manufacturer to see whether they offer replacement tops or parts for the table.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
