Corian Countertop Tomato Stain

QUESTION:

I laid tomatoes on the Corian countertop to ripen. They left a yellow stain that I cannot remove. Tried 409, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide. All to no avail.


ANSWER:

Any surface can be stained if the right substance is left on the surface long enough.

Corian Countertops are "technically" not porous. That is what the manufacturer claims. However, staining does occur from common substances so the net effect is that Corian at least performs like a porous surface.

And most stains in Corian countertops are not like stains in quartz countertops where a chemical bleaches or discolors resins or polymers used to make the countertop.

Corian can stain from food or drink spills left on the surface and either absorbing or bonding in some fashion to the surface which makes the stains difficult to remove by simply wiping with a typical kitchen or surface cleaner.

How to Remove Corian Countertop Stains


Scrubbing with a mild abrasive like the Soft Scrub cleaner is often successful.

Man-made surfaces like quartz countertops can be difficult to repair but Corian countertops and other solid-surfaces can be repaired rather easily in most cases whether it's a scratch, burn, or stain.

First, try the Soft Scrub cleaner but if that is not successful you can lightly sand the damaged area with 300 - 400 grit sandpaper or with Scotch abrasive cleaning pads to remove the stain, scorch mark, or scratch.

Corian countertops are a consistent material all the way through the entire thickness so light sanding will simply remove the damaged surface material without leaving any noticeable repair mark.

Comments for Corian Countertop Tomato Stain

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Corian stain from old faucet
by: Anonymous

When I replaced the faucet and taps on my white Corian vanity, I found the base of the new taps had a slightly smaller circumference.

Now I have rust-colored stains on my Corian where the old taps were.

None of the suggestions on this thread has worked and I am faced with replacing the vanity. Help!

==== Countertop Specialty comment:

I can understand if maybe Soft Scrub or other abrasive product didn't remove the rust stain completely.

But sanding with 400-grit sandpaper didn't work to remove the stain?

Note: Abrasive cleaners and sanding should be used only on matte finish Corian. This is the most common finish, but it does come in a "polished" finish now.

Abrasives, sandpaper, and bleach, or other harsh cleaners can dull or damage Corian with a polished finish. But fine on a matte finish.

If sanding with 400-grit sandpaper didn't remove the Corian rust stain, then it may be too deep to get out.

After all, it has been developing for years probably so had plenty of time to absorb down into the countertop material.

Try sanding with more coarse sandpaper like 150-grit. The idea here is just like sanding wood. You are sanding away the stained Corian at the surface.

You'll want to do this over a larger area than the exact stain or else you may develop a depression where the faucet sits. So feather out your sanding.

A second option is to scrub with a diluted bleach solution. Soft Scrub has bleach but probably not enough to truly affect a rust stain.

Mix a solution of 4 parts water to one part bleach to start. Apply it to the Corian stain and let it dwell for a few minutes and then scrub.

DuPont claims Corian is not damaged by bleach and recommends an even more concentrated solution of 1 part water to 1 part bleach. But I'd recommend caution.

Start with a 4 to 1 solution and if that doesn't remove the stain, then try a 2 to 1 solution (water to bleach). Then use a 1 to 1 solution if you are making progress but not quickly with the more dilute bleach solutions.

Again, if the stain is really deep, then you won't get it all out. But you should at least be able to lighten the stain.

A third option is to try the Rust Stain Remover Poultice.

This product is made for removing rust stains on granite and marble but it's worth a try on Corian as well, if the above methods don't get the job done.

Once more though... deep stains simply cannot be removed by any method. And rust stains are about the most difficult type of stain to remove. So, the above poultice product is no guarantee.

Well, you could aggressively sand down the Corian until it is gone, but you'd have a deep depression in that area. No point in that.

A final option is to buy a different faucet that will cover the stain vs. replacing the Corian vanity top. A faucet is much cheaper than a new countertop.
Countertops - Same Product Different Experiences
by: Corian Owner

I suspect that one reason people have different experiences with the same product (such as Corian or quartz) is that we really don't have the same product.

Some people may think they have Corian when they have another brand (or off-brand) of solid surfacing.

That's certainly true with quartz (with quartz brands manufactured in China being notoriously unreliable).

Quartzite has a similar problem, with people getting calcite or dolomite or marble that's been misclassified as quartzite. It's just a guess.

Whatever the reason, after loving my old Corian countertops, I'm finding that choosing a reliable, non-staining/chipping countertop material today nearly impossible.

==== Countertop Specialty comment:

You hit the nail on the head. All of that is true. The supposedly same "type" of countertop material can actually be made differently and perform differently than other brands or surfaces in the same class.

Everyone wants that magical countertop material that cannot be damaged, or stained, or chipped, or discolored and needs no maintenance except for washing with hot water.

Unfortunately, that type of countertop does not exist. Every single type of countertop material has some weaknesses. There are pros and cons to all materials and none are perfect.

You have to learn the proper methods for care and cleaning the type of countertop you have to avoid damage, etc.

But again, what you say is 100% true... you may think you are getting one type of product with certain qualities only to find out the hard way that it is actually some knock-off or a cheaply made variety of that type of countertop.

Buyer beware. Buy only from reputable fabricators, stone warehouses, and stick to the well-known brands of man-made or engineered countertops.
I Don't Know What You Folks Are Talking About...
by: Corian Owner

I have had white Corian countertops in my kitchen for 19 years. We bought the house from a flipper who had just installed a brand new kitchen using it.

It has required zero maintenance of any kind.

My husband spills/drips coffee, wine, Gatorade, etc. on it literally every day. It sometimes leaves a mark.

However, there is not one single stain that I (a non-professional unassociated with the countertop/surfacing industry) have not been able to get out of the Corian with basic household cleaners (with bleach for the toughest ones).

I have not used Softscrub on it that I can recall. I have also put hot pots and pans (especially cookie sheets) on it many, many times and have never once had it burn (but I guess I was just lucky; I don't do that anymore since I recently learned it's a bad idea).

The only damage it's sustained in 19 yrs is a chip on the top from a knife tip dropped on it.

My husband filled it, but the color match isn't perfect so you can see it. It's small.

The performance of Corian has been SO good, in fact, that my husband and I have been seriously considering putting it in the new kitchen reno in our oceanfront second home, even though we can afford any surface material we want.

Researching that decision is actually what brought me to this page.

I really don't understand why Corian gets such a bad rap, as we've had an incredible experience with it.

It does not shine like granite and some quartz, but that's never been an issue for me, personally.

==== Countertop Specialty comment:

Thanks for sharing. Actually, your comments are not surprising.

One thing to understand is that most countertop materials have some faults and it's somewhat normal to experience a problem or two. Most often minor.

Some surfaces are known to be susceptible to certain problems.

But that doesn't mean you are guaranteed to have these problems or that every single Corian (or granite, or quartz, or laminate) countertop will have those same problems.

No countertop material is perfect. And most people have few problems with most countertop materials.

Meaning there are tons of people super happy with their quartz countertop, or granite, or soapstone, or wood, or Corian countertop.

So, it is entirely possible that you've had a wonderful experience with Corian while others have had nothing but problems and headaches.

We've heard both sides of this same story for essentially every type of countertop material on the market. Some say it's great, the best money can buy, and others... no way... would never ever buy it again.

It seems a bit odd since reason would say that you and I and our neighbor should all get about the same performance from a Corian countertop since it is a man-made material and essentially the same for all customers.

But it just doesn't seem to work out that way for whatever mysterious reason. You have lovers and haters for every type of countertop out there.
Purple Nail Polish Remover Corian Stain
by: Anonymous

Any thoughts on how to get purple nail polish remover out of a Corian countertop?

It sat for a few days and really got in there. I tried a gel bleach for an hour and a mixture of peroxide and baking soda and good old bon ami and even magic eraser.

What should I try next?? Help.

==== Countertop Specialty comment:

Shoot, that could be a deep stain since it sat for a few days. You'll need to use more abrasive methods.

The Magic Eraser is slightly abrasive but I'd use Bar Keeper’s Friend or try Soft Scrub cleaner and use an abrasive pad like these Scotch abrasive cleaning pads.

Bar Keeper's Friend is our favorite for getting surface stains out of quartz countertops. It will also work well on Corian as will Soft Scrub.

If neither of those cleaners removes the stain, then you'll have to get really aggressive and sand out the stain using 400-grit wet-dry sandpaper.

Yes, Corian can be sanded to remove scratches and stains (if not too deep).

Note that sanding a small area may leave a slightly noticeable spot but it will look much better than a purple stain.

Use 800-grit sandpaper to finish and smooth the area to blend it the best you can with the rest of the surface.
Check the facts and the MSDS
by: G Wolfe

First, according to DuPont, BIFMA, and the spec sheets, Corian is NOT a porous material. It is, in fact, approved under OSHPOD for use in medical facilities because of it's closed structure and non-bacterial supporting characteristics.

My company even fabricated a desk completely sheathed in Corian that is installed in a hospital operating theater. So forget anyone who tells you it is porous.

That said, yes, like almost any polymer material, it will stain when exposed to certain chemicals.

Stain removal depends on the source of the stain and the depth of penetration.

Removal with chemicals is rarely successful. But if what you are dealing with is a surface stain, simply sanding the stain off with fine sandpaper is the simplest solution.

Most Corian countertops are finish sanded to a 320 grit or equivalent surface finish. Often a fine or ultra-fine Scotch abrasive pad and Random orbit sander are used to give the final soft satin finish.

I regularly restore the surface of Corian countertops at a local restaurant by fine sanding and buffing with a Scotch pad.

I have also noted a lot of disinformation about the difficulty of repairing Corian. Most of it utter nonsense.

As an example, I fully restored a 1" chip out of the corner of a Corian countertop at a Disney Corp. facility to new (invisible repair) condition in less than 45 minutes.

You will not find a single honest tech who will claim that they can do the same on a Silestone, or granite, or marble, or quartz top. For valid answers, find technicians who work with all these materials and have been ISFA certification.
Great debate
by: Kate

Enjoyed this exchange!
"But the salesman said!"
by: Anonymous

All man-made countertop surfaces are impervious to stains -according to the person who sold you the new counter-top- except for the fact that pretty much all of them stain instantly if you get so much as a single drop of hot-sauce, tomato sauce or coffee on them and don't wipe the stain off within about 3 seconds.

Likewise, all of these materials resist burns from hot pots and pans, so long as you keep all of those pots and pans on the stove and off the counter-tops.

A pot or pan that's sitting on the stove will not burn a Corian counter-top. However, if you take that pot or pan off the stove and set it on the Corian counter-top you will have an instant burn mark.

Not to worry, because Corian can be repaired so that you'll never know there was any damage, except for the fact that it can't really be repaired, and you can only kind of/sort of hide the damage but will always notice the pattern in the material looks a bit off on the spot where you had the burn.

==== Countertop Specialty Comment:

The hyperbole is amusing, but I certainly understand the sentiment.

Man-made surfaces like Corian countertops and quartz countertops are generally excellent choices and perform well in general use.

However, the marketing does tend to lead consumers to believe that they are nearly invincible and have conquered all the faults of natural stone, etc., when in fact, these countertop materials can be damaged and stained, do have their unique problems and limits like all other countertop materials: wood, concrete, marble and granite.

We do our best to enlighten consumers regarding this issue and not expect any surface to be impervious to damage.
corian stains
by: PROJECTPERV

Yep....it stains. The wife made salad and the red onion rolled off the cutting board and it rested on the seashell color corian countertop for a few hours and made a mild yellow stain.
I used 1/3 water with 1/3 white distilled vinegar and let it sit for 30 minutes and it faded out at 85%
Going to use a little soft scrub and see If the remaining 15% comes out. Happy Memorial Day everyone
Facts
by: Ryan

Jeffery,

Thanks for your participation. I take it you are in the industry, although your comments are a bit surprising, since I can't imagine why or how any fabricator could ever argue that Corian performance somehow compares favorably with granite.

Such a fabricator would be considered an inexperienced, ill-informed novice or possibly heavily invested in selling corian.

When Corian first came out it was thought it may rival granite. Of course, every professional who worked with both quickly found out that was not true.

Most granite will easily outperform corian.

Some granites are very porous and will stain easily (although stains can be easily removed). Corian won't stain easily and stains can be removed as well.

But no man-made product has yet to better the performance characteristics of the best granites, which are very dense and essentially stain-proof, do not scratch, do not etch and can take heat easily.

Quartz offers nearly the same performance, except when damaged it cannot be repaired as easily as granite.

However, Corian isn't close enough to even be in the conversation. And here's the facts:

1. Corian scratches easily.... granite does not

2. Corian cannot take heat.... granite takes heat easily

These two facts easily put granite on top especially for a kitchen countertop.

Neither stain easily, but as stated some granites are basically stain-proof, which is a fact (#3)... and you know that Corian is not.

Again, this is not true of all granite, but it is very easy to choose a granite that is nearly imposible to stain. So, when looking at 3 of the most important performance characteristics... granite wins. No contest.

Corian has an advantage with the capability to install without seams, but that is truly the one and only advantage Corian has over granite.

And comparing Corian with laminate is far from absurd.

Both laminate and Corian can be scratched. Neither can take the heat. Both are fairly stain and chemical resistant although both can be stained. So, essentially the same.

Corian has an advantage that it can be repaired and laminate typically cannot, however, laminate is also waaaaay cheaper than Corian.

So, Corian does make a more durable surface than laminate, but dollar for dollar laminate is easily a better value.

Some may argue style vs. both laminate and granite, but that has nothing to do with performance.

And you are right about opinions on the internet. Eloquence (even when wrong) can be convincing for some people just like sarcastic, superscilious, rude, arrogance is sometimes mistaken for knowledge.

You claim that "facts" are missing, yet you present none to support your "opinion".

We welcome all voices and comments. However, if you wish anyone to take you seriously, then present some evidence or at least a reasoned argument to support your position.

Way off with the "facts"
by: Jeffrey Purcell

Where did you get your facts? Your comments pertaining to granite out performing solid surface and your comparison liking solid surface to laminate are absurd.
Unfortunately, any statements posted on the internet with level of eloquence will be believed by some. What a load.
RE: Corian-Stain Resistant
by: Ryan

Hey Anonymous,

Thanks for your insights on removing Corian stains.

We certainly don't state that Corian stains can't be removed... just that Corian can be stained despite marketing that would have you believe otherwise (same deal with quartz).

And any countertop company that is advising a client on which surface to install should recommend granite over corian.

Granite is more expensive, but granite (or quartz) is a far better surface for the kitchen (where you want the most durable low-maintenance surface) than corian is. There is no deception recommending granite over corian when considering performance only.

If cost is the most important factor, then I'd recommend laminate over corian myself. You get similar performance for far less and from a design perspective laminate has essentially caught up to corian.


I do have to correct you about your statement regarding granite stains....

Granite is a natural material so you can't make a 'general' statement about performance. Some granite is very porous. Some is moderately so and many granites are still porous, but essentially non-absorbent because they are so dense.

Such dense granites are virtually stain-proof and certainly the most stain-resistant surface you could install save maybe stainless steel.

The idea that ALL granite is absorbent and must be sealed is false.

So yes, granite can stain, but contrary to what you state it is almost NEVER permanent. Only neglected stains that are very old and deep will be troublesome, but even then you can re-surface the stone to remove the stain and bring the granite back to like-new condition if desired.

And remember, nobody "owns" or "makes" granite so there isn't any creative marketing needed. It's the man-made products that need to somehow try and "sell" a story that their surface is better than granite... no one has been able to do that yet.

We do our best to tell our visitors the whole story minus the marketing biases and claims.
Corian-Stain Resistant
by: Anonymous

We have been solid surface fabricators for over 15 years. Corian is nearly impossible to permanantly stain. We have not come across a problem that we were unable to fix yet. All you usually need to remove any stain is a scotch brite pad or soft scrub. If you are having trouble you can call a certified professional to come sand out the stain. Remember Corian can be resurfaced, and is completely repairable and renewable.

The idea that a stain can't be removed is often stated by countertop companies that want to sell you granite. However if you stain your granite, which is completely pourous, there is very little you can do to remove it.
Corian does not stain-- well actually it does
by: Ryan

Jon,

Corian is essentially "non-porous" relative to other materials, but it does have pores. Corian is very stain-resistant.... not stain-proof.

The manufacturers of quartz and solid surface countertops do market their products to give the consumer the impression that it is impossible to stain a quartz or Corian countertop... but that is just not true.

Quartz CAN be stained and damaged. Corian CAN be stained.

Soft scrub may work if mostly on the surface. Or you can also try light sanding, which is possible with Corian to remove scratches and light shallow stains.
corian does not stain
by: Jon Olson

Corian is a non-porous surface. I suggest you use soft scrub .

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