I have a black laminate kitchen worktop and without thinking have rubbed it with an abbrasive cleaning sponge. It is now looking a little less black where I have rubbed it. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can fix this?

Teachergirl, July 2010

Laminate is a glossy plastic - by scrubbing it with an abrasive cloth you have made many tiny scratches which are reflecting the light more diffusely.
It is possible to re-polish shiny plastics - if you search for "plastic polishing paste" you will find companies selling pastes which have very very fine abrasives which, given a certain amount of elbow grease, and the use of finer and finer grades, bring back a sheen to your woktop.

Dil Green, September 2010

answer is not much as the colour is in the surface , I have had same problem when new builds get tiny scratches on dark tops when they have a matt finish , i cheat with pledge dust and clean which gives a slight sheen but you will always be doing it say weekly sorry thats all you can do, john

clarkeinteriors, July 2010