[thedoc (OP)]

Peter Hounslow  asked the Naked Scientists:
   I have a kitchen bench top made of Laminex. I have been told by tradesmen that Laminex goes porous as it ages and this is certainly true of my bench top.

If I spill tea on it, the tea stains the bench top and I can only get it clean with household bleach. I have been searching for something to seal the Laminex to prevent it being stained and so far I have failed.

I reason that if the low viscosity tea stain can get into the surface then so can an equally low viscosity sealant.

My high school chemistry teacher would probably be turning in his grave. Do you know of any such chemical sealant? I have tried hardware shop lacquers but once they dry I can still see and feel them proud of the surface. I am imagining some sort of low viscosity chemical substance that will penetrate (like the tea stain) and dry to a transparent finish. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and regards,Peter Hounslow.
What do you think?

[William McC]

Peter Hounslow  asked the Naked Scientists:
   I have a kitchen bench top made of Laminex. I have been told by tradesmen that Laminex goes porous as it ages and this is certainly true of my bench top.

If I spill tea on it, the tea stains the bench top and I can only get it clean with household bleach. I have been searching for something to seal the Laminex to prevent it being stained and so far I have failed.

I reason that if the low viscosity tea stain can get into the surface then so can an equally low viscosity sealant.

My high school chemistry teacher would probably be turning in his grave. Do you know of any such chemical sealant? I have tried hardware shop lacquers but once they dry I can still see and feel them proud of the surface. I am imagining some sort of low viscosity chemical substance that will penetrate (like the tea stain) and dry to a transparent finish. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and regards,Peter Hounslow.
What do you think?

They polish and seal stone tops. I have seen finished granite that someone spilled a powerful solvent on, it removed the shine.

There are several commercial sealants available I would probably use one that they use originally on granite.

But if you are daring and willing to risk contamination from the countertop, I would get some of the diamond clear UV resistant direct to metal car rim coating, from Eastwood car products. I have used it on raw metal hand rails with good results. It will wear with time, as the top coat on your top probably wore off. Granite tops with time also start to develop what looks like dry spots. It is just wear.

I have used the diamond clear on wood, and stone, all with good results. The reason it works well is the solvent that carries it, it is extremely penetrating. It flows well. A few light coats work better than on heavy coat.

Sincerely,

William McCormick