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maryann0625

Removing inset from edges of Corian?

maryann0625
15 years ago

We have Corian countertops with one-piece sink -- all in very good condition. Unfortunately, we had opted for the inset, a stripe of color running around the side edge of the Corian throughout the kitchen -- and the inset color is nowhere in sight in current decorating. Before listing, we're going to remove the wallpaper and just paint in a neutral color. Does anyone know of any way to remove the inset stripe so I can replace it with another color or the color that matches the rest of the countertop? I have some pieces of the main color left over that would probably be enough to do the job, but I haven't been able to find anyone willing to tackle it. The countertop does butt up against a wall in five places. Thanks for any ideas anyone can provide!

Comments (13)

  • mpinto
    15 years ago

    If you can't find a trained pro willing to do it, I would just skip it and do the walls and maybe window treatments. Just work around it. It will probably come back in style again. Just my opinion.

  • Happyladi
    15 years ago

    What color is the inset? I would probably not worry about it.

  • maryann0625
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Thanks so much for your responses. Here are the answers to the questions some of you raised.

    It really is Corian. The main color is white with tiny black and gray speckles, but the overall look is white. The inset is on the outside edge sandwiched as a layer in between the white -- 3/4" of white, 1/2" of rose, and then another 3/4" of white. I wasn't home when it was installed, so I really don't know how it was put together. The inset was a color called old rose or something like that, but most people who see it describe it as mauve. I have white raised-panel cabinets, a white tile backsplash, black appliances and an oak hardwood floor. The wall color will become a neutral sandy beige color, to match the adjacent family room. The kitchen is bright and sunny, with lots of windows.

    I'm trying to figure out whether it's worth trying to get the inset removed, trying to replace with quartz, granite or a different Corian (without an inset!), or just leave it alone.

    Thanks for any additional thoughts.

  • bmrbabe
    15 years ago

    I doubt if the inset was assembled onsite. We have sahara with rounded edge and a bisque strip running through it. When the countertop was installed the stripe was already in it. I would be very surprised if it is removable. Have you called your fabricator or emailed corian to ask?

    If money is no object, then rip it all out and start over. I wouldn't do it, but obviously it's not my decision.

  • disneyrsh
    15 years ago

    My grandfather, father, and brother are/were all corian fabricators. You can't pull the stripe out without destroying the countertop. Leave it alone.

  • lyfia
    15 years ago

    How about just adding a wood trim edge on top that goes with your cabinets?

  • Happyladi
    15 years ago

    You want to do this before selling your house? The problem is if you spend thousands on Granite or Quartz there is a good chance that what you pick is not what your buyer would.

    Have you talked to your realtor about it? Can you add a couple of other touches of deep rose to balance it? I don't know if this would help or not, though.

    Can it be painted with a good paint? You would have to be very careful here to make it look okay.

  • maryann0625
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    All of you, thanks for your input. Disneyrsh, thanks especially for the insights from your Corian fabricator relatives. I hadn't been able to get any fabricator interested in even talking about this, and you all helped to confirm what I had been hearing.

    It was my realtor who suggested changing the inset if possible -- and we now know that it's not. She said that changing to a neutral granite might not get us any more money but might make the house sell more quickly in this relatively stagnant market.

  • bmrbabe
    15 years ago

    "...might not get any more money..... but might make the house sell more quickly."

    What is the operative word here? "Might."

  • HU-3102297416920
    5 years ago
    Further on real Corian countertops. Could the dark green stripe in our pure white counter’s nosing be routered out?
  • Denita
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    ^Houzz user above, post a dilemma in the "home repair" sub-forum here on Houzz. Joseph Corlett LLC will be able to answer your specific question.

  • kudzu9
    5 years ago

    Houzz user-

    Unless this is done by someone very skilled, it could be a real disaster. In addition, if any of the countertop butts into a wall, it will be impossible to rout out the last parts of the stripe near the wall as the router housing will prevent the bit from coming up flush to the wall. Even an offset router can't get it all. I would discourage you from trying to make such an "improvement."