Step By Step Instructions To Refresh A Plastic Cutting Board
Plastic cutting boards have a great tendency to get worn with use, ultimately leading to an unsightly & ugly surface. The plastic board will look worn out betwixt cut marks, foods, as well as cleaners. However, if you handle the issue as soon as you notice it & use some sandpaper, then the cutting board can be refreshed, and make it look new again. It will also help you prevent it from replacing the cutting board entirely. In order to resurface or refresh a plastic cutting board, go through the below-mentioned simple steps carefully:
Step 1: Gather Supplies
- Dropcloth/Newspaper/Garbage Bag
- Clamps & Sander
- Sandpaper(25 Grit Through 80 Grit)
- Metal Scrubber Or Rough Steel Wool
- Scraper/Hand Plane/Razor Blade
- Gloves & Eye Protection
- Dust Mask, Dish Soap & Sponge
Step 2: Clamp The Board
Now, you need to protect your working area with the help of a drop cloth, newspaper, etc in order to catch the remains of the sanding. Using the clamps, firmly attach the cutting board to your work surface. It is recommended to clamp the two corners by the handle edge if there is a handle cut-out due to the fact that those hardly get worn from use. Make sure to clamp it adequately, because scraping as well as sanding can create a good bit of lateral turn on the board.
Step 3: Prep The Board For Sanding
Brush the surface with the help of the metal dish scrubber or extra-course steel wool in order to get rid of any loose burs of plastic and then clean the surface. The less leftover plastic that remains on top, the less the sandpaper will paste.
Step 4: Sand The Board
Now, it is time to sand the surface of the board with the help of the coarsest grit of sandpaper. Start with 25 grit and then move on to the 80 grit sandpaper. If you start too high, the sandpaper will not be effective at getting rid of the top layer of the board. Use eye protection as well as a dust mask, due to the fact that the sanding will kick up polyethylene dust which is not pleasant to get in your system.
Step 5: If Sanding Isn't Enough
Sanding may be insufficient which is totally dependent on the depth of cuts, the grit of sandpaper, as well as the strength of the sander you use. In the situation where you don't sand away the surface enough in order to get rid of cuts, gouges, as well as slices, then it is important to rigorously scrape the top layer of the board with the help of a razor blade or a knife blade. Then, keep sanding the surface as long as the grooves, scratches, and gouges are eliminated completely and the surface has become smooth.
Step 6: Clean The Surface While Sanding
In order to help speed up the process, intermittently wipe the surface using the steel wool/scrubber & get rid of any burs as well as the dust that the sander has caused. Unlike wood, polyethylene tends to inactively adhere to itself which makes the sanding process tricky. However, a regular wipe will help the process.
Step 7: Clean The Edges
Due to the fact that the sanding process will change the shape of the board marginally, take a blade and brush & sweep the edges of the board in order to get a nice clean bevel after finishing the sanding process.
Step 8: Clean The Board
- First of all, rinse with water in a sink in order to get rid of loose dust and particles.
- Secondly, spread kitchen soap and rub it with your hands, but not use a sponge, in order to work more of the dust-out. You need to prevent getting your sponge coated in loose polyethylene dust. Then, rinse the board.
- Finally, use a sponge having dish soap in order to clean the board surface again. Rinse, let dry, and then enjoy your cutting boards again that will look like new.