Think O2 cleaner damaged laminate counters

[GratefulBear]

Anyone else have this happen? After ever brew session, I wipe down counters with the express idea of removing any oxygen cleaner. However, I may have missed some spots because the laminate surface is pitted now in spots. It looks white/hazy unless the counters are wet, then the spots disappear. Anyone else have this happen? I'm going to try some car wax to fix the spots and protect the entire surface in the future but this was a potentially expensive side effect of brewing...

 

[Cyclman]

Try vinegar?

 

[day_trippr]

If the surface is literally "pitted" - ie, laminate surface material was somehow removed - I doubt there's anything that's going to truly fix the damage...

 

[Jako]

moment of silence for the deposit.

 

[PberBob]

Yes, PBW and oxyclean both are hard on some counters. Don’t leave it on for any length of time. I like the sound of dilute vinegar wash, but haven’t tried it.

I’ve seen it haze my old garage countertop from the 70‘s. Of course, it was already gouged, burned, and scratched.
You definitely should be able to improve the look with good paste wax.

 

[Toxxyc]

My countertops are eaten because of StarSan, just FYI. Phosphoric acid in there is NOT good for countertops either.

 

[GratefulBear]

Good to know about the StarSan. I was definitely more careful with PBW than the StarSan. Vinegar with a lightly abrasive sponge didn't do anything. I'll try some car wax and report back. If I stick with this brewing thing, I may have to look into stainless countertops

 

[Dland]

I guess there are some advantages of brewing outside on an old machine pallet...

....there are some disadvantages too, of course.

 

[Jako]

i have used 90% generic alcohol and backing soda make a paste and let it sit and dry but that's for lifting stains from stone.

 

[Jako]

I guess there are some advantages of brewing outside on an old machine pallet...

....there are some disadvantages too, of course.

yeah, its like washing a car. As soon as you do it rain or snow shows up for the fun.

 

[ncbrewer]

My countertops are eaten because of StarSan, just FYI. Phosphoric acid in there is NOT good for countertops either.

I use Star San on laminate countertops and haven't had any staining or etching. Did you spill undiluted Star San, or did the diluted Star San cause your problems?

 

[IslandLizard]

the laminate surface is pitted now in spots. It looks white/hazy

Can you perhaps post a picture showing that?

I've been around laminate countertops for many years, and never saw anything like that. I've found them pretty much indestructible.
Maybe (some of) newer laminates are more sensitive to chemical exposure than older ones?

 

[day_trippr]

Just want to point out the OP claimed damage from "oxygen cleaner".
Not sure how "Star San" suddenly became the culprit

Cheers!

 

[Toxxyc]

I use Star San on laminate countertops and haven't had any staining or etching. Did you spill undiluted Star San, or did the diluted Star San cause your problems?

Yes I do believe the worst spots were from undiluted StarSan.