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Would anyone know where I can get a Corian repair kit and instructions on how to repair the crack in my counter? I would like to repair it myself.
Thankyou.
Repairing Corian (or other solid suface) is not a DIY project. You will need to cut out the cracked portion and insert another piece. This is done with templates, routers and special bits. Also you can not purchase the special adhesives. I would call the company that installed your countertop for a referral. There are companies the only do repairs/renewing of solid surface
Good Luck !
Between 50% and 75% of cracks in Corian can be repaired by the average DIYer. The professionals are very good at what they do, if they are certified by the manufacturer. However new, not certified, techniques with new materials are available.
To repair a crack you need to cut out the cracked portion of the Solid Surface and insert a matched piece. This is NOT a DIY project. Allowing glue to "wick" into the crack will NOT stop or repair the crack. With over 35 years of experience working with Corian and other SS products I know this product. Also if the repair is not done correctly and by an authorized fabricator you will void any further warranty on the product. If your looking for a short term stop gap, then use Crazy Glue, but this is a temporay repair at best.
Wags,
We can carry this discussion on longer if you wish. You may call me or email me. I have been helping people fix their own Corian for over 12 years. We have helped over 1,000 people fix their own tops and sinks.
I always recomend warranty work be done by certified people when a top is under warranty.
Cyanoacrylates were the original glue recommended for Corian by the DuPont labs over 45 years ago.
Industrial Cyanoacrylates are much stronger than epoxies when each is used properly.
These repairs, when done properly, are permanent and stronger than the Corian itself.
They never stop a pro from doing a certified repair in the future.
Actually when Dr Slocum developed Corian in the mid 60"s silicone was the recommended adhesive. It was not untill the 70's when "Crazy Glue", the brand name of the Cyanacrylates adhesive you mention was readily available. While yes, the adhesive is strong, without cutting out the defective (cracked) piece, and replacing it with another piece you will not be "repairing" the crack. As I stated you can use "Crazy Glue" for a temporary fix but it will void any further warranties on that countertop. It is a stop gap measure not a "fix". If this is being sold as a Fix, then that is wrong. Can it be done, of course, its just not the correct way to repair the material. Also, as your aware, when repairing a crack you need to add an additional support strip under the seamed piece. Also you need to identify what the material cracked in the first place, if that is not corrected, then it will only crack again. I think it is very misleading to sell a stop gap to a customer when it will only void any additional warranty they may have on the material. Contact the Mfg of the Solid Surface you purchased for details on how the material needs to be repaired in order to maintain your warranty. No solid surface mfg I know of, would recommend, nor cover a top repaired by anyone other than a certified fabricator.
I met Dr. Slocum before his retirement from duPont. I still keep in contact with the engineers at the plant. The information I give is mostly what I receive from them.
"Crazy Glue" is a dilute "craft grade" version of the industrial cyanoacrylates and is not appropriate at any time for Corian. The CA we offer is from the aircraft industry where they are used to bond metals. It is 98% pure with a surfactant added to lower the surface tension and allow it to wick in deeply. When used properly CA is 2 to 4 times as strong Seam Adhesive. That is why a support strip is not usually necessary.
These repairs are not to replace waranty repairs but there are a lot of installations that are out of waranty or have been denied waranty for abuse. In such cases, these repairs are useful.
I would not recomend this use if we had not completely tested the product. Our first test was to make a but joint across the middle of a 1/4" sheet. We could then lift the 50 pound sheet by its four outside corners, flat. It bowed but did not break. Then we shook it. It bowed but did not break. On a smaller piece we smashed it after joining and it shattered but not on the joint. The original sheet was cut inot 5"x98 " strips and is in a unique installation which flexes 3" across the joints every day for the last 12 years, wnder water, in the sun of the California desert!
We have had one customer repair a wide crack comming from his cooktop. He heated the Corian to close the crack then applied the CA, carefully following instructions. He did not repair the underlying problem. A year later he had another crack next to the original. The repair was stronger than the Corian.
Again I will be happy to discuss this with you at any time.
I hope you have great insurance, as selling an industrial adhesive for use by homeowners is a huge liability. And, having worked in the solid surface industry for 35 years (including Dupont) I know they would never endorse what your selling or what your suggesting homeowners to do. There is a reason "crazy" glue is what it is, and why its sold that way to the public.
Hello,
Corian in most cases must be repaired by a professional. I know this is not what the DIY wants to hear but the expensive tools required (router, sander, router bits, table saw, jig saw, speed sander). If you would like to see how repairs are actually done just visit our website www.creativereintro.com and click the service tab. Anyone interested in how Corian repairs look and the processes involved should check us out. We also show some interesting work that is not done by most shops. Thanks!
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