Q: I have a buffet with a countertop of cork. It's over 50 years old and the cork is quiet mottled (it was painted white). How can this be refinished?
Sent by Susan
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Comments (2)
If it's painted white I'm sure it's done with. Cork, being porous, would be impossible to strip. All I can think of is taking off the counter off and slicing off the top layer on a band saw to get the paint layer off. Then you have access the new cork interior.
Susan,
Your cork countertop can be refinished. Take an orbital sander with 80 grit and sand off the paint. (make sure to wear a mask) Work up through the grits ending at 150 grit. Wipe the top down with water or blow off the top with compressed air. To enhance the natural color use mineral oil or something like AFM Naturals Oil/Wax or Bioshield Wood Counter finish. They are easy to wipe on, let sit for a few minutes, and then wipe off. Because of the presence of suberin instead of cellulose, cork is actually non-porous, bacterial resistant and weat resistant to 350 degrees, making it a great use for countertop applications.