Remove Scratch from Countertop
Quick Answer
Removing a scratch from a countertop depends entirely on the material. Granite scratches can usually be buffed out with diamond polishing pads. Quartz scratches are harder to fix at home because the resin surface does not respond to traditional stone polishing. Marble scratches can be polished away but the surface etches easily, complicating repairs. Laminate scratches are permanent - you can only fill and disguise them.
TL;DR
- Light scratches on granite can be fixed with a diamond polishing pad and water
- Deep scratches on any stone need professional attention
- Quartz scratch repair is limited because the resin binder cannot be re-polished like natural stone
- Marble scratches are often accompanied by etching - both need different treatment
- Laminate scratches can be filled with color-matched filler but never fully disappear
- Prevention is cheaper than repair: always use cutting boards
- Professional stone restoration costs $200-$500 for localized scratch repair
Assess the Scratch First
Before attempting any repair, identify two things:
1. What Material Is Your Countertop?
The repair method varies dramatically by material:
| Material | Scratchability | DIY Repair Possible? | Professional Repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite | Moderate - hard to scratch | Yes, for light scratches | Full restoration available |
| Quartz | Moderate - resin surface scratches | Limited | Moderate success |
| Marble | High - soft stone, scratches easily | Yes, with care | Full restoration available |
| Quartzite | Low - very hard | Yes, similar to granite | Full restoration available |
| Laminate | High - scratches easily | Fill only, not true repair | Replacement is often better |
| Solid surface (Corian) | High - but sandable | Yes - sand and buff | Full restoration available |
| Porcelain | Low | No - surface is fired | Replacement only |
2. How Deep Is the Scratch?
Run your fingernail across the scratch:
- If your nail does NOT catch: It is a surface scratch. Usually repairable at home.
- If your nail catches slightly: It is a moderate scratch. DIY is possible on granite and marble but results vary.
- If your nail catches clearly and you can see a groove: It is a deep scratch. Professional repair is recommended.
Granite Scratch Repair
Granite is a crystalline igneous rock with a Mohs hardness of 6-7. Most metals (including knife blades at Mohs 5.5) are softer than granite, which is why knives actually dull against granite rather than scratching it. However, ceramic dishes, other stone objects, and grit can scratch granite.
Light Scratch Repair (DIY)
Materials needed:
- Diamond polishing pad set (200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000 grit)
- Spray bottle with water
- Soft microfiber cloths
- Stone polish or enhancer
Steps:
- Clean the area thoroughly with warm water and a pH-neutral stone cleaner
- Start with the 200-grit diamond pad (or higher if the scratch is very light)
- Spray the area with water to keep the surface wet
- Rub the pad over the scratch in circular motions with moderate pressure
- Wipe clean and check progress
- Move to the next finer grit (400, then 800, then 1500, then 3000)
- At each grit level, work the area for 2-3 minutes
- After the finest grit, apply stone polish and buff with a microfiber cloth
Cost: $30-$60 for a polishing pad set (reusable for multiple repairs)
Deep Scratch Repair
Deep scratches in granite - those you can feel distinctly with your fingernail - need a stone restoration professional. They use industrial diamond polishing equipment that can remove material evenly and re-hone or re-polish the entire section to match the surrounding finish.
Professional cost: $200-$500 depending on the size of the affected area.
Quartz Scratch Repair
Quartz (engineered stone) is made from roughly 93% crushed quartz crystals bound with 7% polymer resin. This creates a surface that is hard but not repairable in the same way as natural stone.
Why Quartz Is Harder to Fix
The resin binder creates a unified surface that does not respond well to diamond polishing. Polishing a small area on quartz can create a visible difference in sheen compared to the rest of the countertop - you fix the scratch but create a dull or overly shiny spot.
Light Scratch Repair (DIY)
Materials needed:
- Fine-grit sandpaper (3000 grit or higher)
- Rubbing compound (automotive grade works)
- Soft microfiber cloths
Steps:
- Clean the scratched area with mild soap and water
- Very gently rub 3000-grit sandpaper over the scratch in the direction of the scratch (not circular)
- Wipe clean
- Apply a small amount of rubbing compound to a soft cloth
- Buff the area in circular motions
- Wipe clean and assess
Important: This only works for very light surface scratches. On matte-finish quartz, the repair is easier to blend. On polished quartz, the repaired area may look slightly different.
When to Call a Professional
If the scratch is more than surface-level, contact either the quartz manufacturer's warranty department (if the scratch may be a defect) or a professional stone restoration company. Some quartz scratches can be improved with professional-grade polishing compounds, but results are less consistent than with natural stone.
Marble Scratch Repair
Marble (Mohs hardness 3-4) scratches more easily than granite or quartz. The good news is that marble responds very well to polishing and honing.
Light Scratch Repair (DIY)
Option 1: Marble polishing powder
- Wet the scratched area
- Sprinkle marble polishing powder (tin oxide or aluminum oxide based)
- Buff with a soft cloth or low-speed polisher in circular motions for 3-5 minutes
- Wipe clean and repeat if needed
Option 2: Diamond polishing pads (same method as granite, but start at a finer grit - 400 or 800 - because marble is softer)
Scratch vs. Etch on Marble
Many "scratches" on marble are actually etch marks - dull spots caused by acidic substances (lemon juice, vinegar, tomato sauce, wine) reacting with the calcium carbonate in the stone. Etching looks like a lighter, duller mark on polished marble.
If your "scratch" is actually an etch, polishing powder is the right fix. If it is a true physical scratch, you need the diamond pad approach.
Solid Surface (Corian) Scratch Repair
Solid surface is the easiest countertop material to repair because it is homogeneous - the color and pattern go all the way through. Scratches can be sanded out completely.
Steps:
- Sand the scratch with 220-grit sandpaper
- Progress through 320, then 400 grit
- For polished finishes, continue through 600 and 800 grit
- Buff with a Scotch-Brite pad
- Apply a thin coat of mineral oil for sheen
Cost: $5-$15 for sandpaper (already in most tool kits)
Laminate Scratch Repair
Laminate countertops have a thin decorative layer (about 1 mm thick) over particleboard. Once the decorative layer is scratched through, there is no way to restore it - only fill and disguise.
For light scratches:
- Apply laminate repair paste (color-matched to your countertop pattern)
- Smooth with a putty knife
- Let dry and wipe excess
For deep scratches:
- Same process, but the repair will be more visible
- Laminate repair kits cost $10-$20
Honest assessment: Laminate scratch repair is visible camouflage, not true restoration. For multiple or prominent scratches, replacing the laminate section or the entire countertop is the better long-term solution.
Prevention: Cheaper Than Repair
| Prevention Method | Cost | What It Prevents |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting boards | $15-$50 | Knife scratches |
| Trivets and hot pads | $10-$30 | Heat damage and thermal scratching |
| Felt pads on appliances | $5 | Abrasion from sliding objects |
| Regular sealing (granite) | $15-$40/year | Surface vulnerability |
| pH-neutral cleaners | $8-$15 | Chemical damage and etching |
The single most effective prevention measure: never cut directly on any countertop surface. Even granite, which is harder than knife steel, can be scratched by ceramic plates, stoneware, and grit particles on the bottom of pots.
When to Call a Professional
Call a stone restoration professional when:
- The scratch is deep enough to catch your fingernail firmly
- The scratch is on quartz and DIY methods did not work
- There are multiple scratches covering a large area
- The countertop is high-end material (Calacatta marble, exotic quartzite) where a botched DIY repair would be costly
- You need to match a honed or leathered finish - these finishes are harder to replicate at home
Finding a Professional
Look for:
- Stone restoration companies (not just cleaning companies)
- Certified technicians through the Natural Stone Institute
- Fabrication shops that offer restoration services
- Companies that specifically list "stone polishing" and "scratch repair"
What Fabricators Should Know
For fabrication shops, scratches that occur during fabrication or installation are a common source of customer complaints and warranty claims. Most scratches happen during:
- Transport (pieces sliding against each other)
- Installation (tools dragging across the surface)
- Final cleanup (grit under cleaning cloths acting as abrasive)
Quality control checklists that include post-installation surface inspection help catch and address scratches before the customer sees them. Shops using SlabWise can document countertop condition at delivery through their customer portal, creating a clear record of the surface condition at handoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buff scratches out of granite?
Yes. Light scratches can be buffed out using progressive diamond polishing pads (200 through 3000 grit) with water as a lubricant.
Does toothpaste remove scratches from countertops?
Toothpaste (non-gel, white) can sometimes reduce the appearance of very light scratches on some surfaces, but it is not a reliable method for stone. Use proper stone polishing compounds instead.
Will a quartz manufacturer replace a scratched countertop under warranty?
Generally not. Scratches from use are considered normal wear and tear, which most quartz warranties exclude. Only manufacturing defects are covered.
How much does professional scratch repair cost?
Localized scratch repair by a stone restoration professional typically costs $200-$500. Full countertop restoration (re-polishing the entire surface) runs $500-$1,500.
Can I use car polish on my countertop?
Automotive rubbing compound can work on quartz for very light scratches. It should not be used on natural stone, as the chemical composition differs from stone polishing compounds.
Are some countertop colors more prone to showing scratches?
Yes. Darker colors (black granite, dark quartz) show scratches more than lighter colors because the scratch reveals lighter material underneath. Polished finishes show scratches more than honed or leathered finishes.
Does cutting on granite actually scratch it?
Most kitchen knives are softer than granite and will not scratch it. However, ceramic knives, stoneware edges, and grit trapped between a plate and the counter can scratch any stone surface.
Can you sand out a scratch on quartz?
Very light sanding with 3000+ grit paper can reduce the appearance of surface scratches on quartz, but it risks creating a visible difference in sheen compared to the surrounding area.
How do I remove a scratch from a black granite countertop?
The same diamond polishing pad method works, but matching the high-gloss finish on black granite is harder. Start with finer grits (800+) and use stone-specific black granite polish for the final step.
Is it better to replace or repair a badly scratched countertop?
If more than 20-30% of the surface is affected, or if the scratches are deep across a large area, replacement may be more cost-effective than professional restoration, especially for lower-cost materials.
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Sources
- Natural Stone Institute - Stone Care and Maintenance Guide, 2024
- Marble Institute of America - Residential Marble Care, 2024
- Caesarstone - Care and Maintenance Instructions, 2024
- Consumer Reports - Countertop Scratch Resistance Ratings, 2024
- International Surface Fabricators Association - Surface Restoration Best Practices, 2024
- Bob Vila - How to Remove Scratches from Countertops, 2025