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Brushed zinc countertops again

I have a brushed zinc countertop in my kitchen and it has become stained and scratched. How can I renovate/clean it?

James Turner
- London, England
2003

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letter 24550 includes a link to a vendor of zinc countertops who offer a polishing compound. You could probably power buff zinc with a mild abrasive similar to those made for aluminum (contact a buffing compound manufacturer for specific suggestions); but getting consistent finishes over broad expanses is not easy to do without polishing experience, and you may lose the brushed look only to realize it was a good thing.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

What is the best way to oxidize zinc for an aged look on a kitchen countertop?

Karen Johnson
- Norcross. Georgia
June 16, 2009

Hi, Karen. Do you have zinc countertops and they are remaining bright and shiny, or what is your situation? Perhaps the vendor coated them with some clearcoat like lacquer or polyurethane?

Normally, zinc countertops start looking old and splotchy very quickly and without any effort at all. In fact, while many people love them, we've also posted letters of regret because after installation people felt their kitchen was looking like the fish cleaning station of a charter boat :-)    If you like the authentic feel of zinc counters and preparation areas, I don't think you'll have to work at it. If you are looking for a nice uniform dull gray color, though, you may not be able to hold it on bare zinc. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
June , 2009