The cultured marble vanity top in my bathroom appears dull and lifeless. What can I do to revive and restore the shine?

– Thelma

Cultured marble is made of a mixture of polyester resin, limestone dust, fillers, and pigments with a clear gel coat finish on top. While you can’t remove deep scratches that go all the way through the gel coat, it is possible to restore the surface and shine using extremely fine sandpaper and polishing compounds.

Automotive compounds are mildly abrasive materials that are used to smooth and remove blemishes from cultured marble, fiberglass, paint, or clear finishes. They’re available at auto supply stores as rubbing (red, more abrasive) and polishing (white, less abrasive) compounds.

Automotive compounds can be applied to the surface by hand with a soft, cotton cloth, or by using felt or wool pads on a power buffer, which requires much less physical effort.

If the cultured marble surface is just a bit dull, try buffing it first with a polishing compound, following the instructions on the can. If the polishing compound doesn’t do the trick, buff with the rubbing compound, followed by the polishing compound to remove any scratches left by the rubbing compound.

If the cultured marble surface still isn’t smooth and shiny, try wet sanding with 1,000-grit wet/dry sandpaper (also available at auto supply stores), followed by buffing with rubbing and polishing compounds to remove any scratches from the sandpaper.

Wipe off any residue from the compound with a clean, soft cloth, then wash and dry the top with water.

Cleaning and polishing products that are specifically designed for cultured marble, such as Gel-Gloss Marble Polish, are also available.

Good luck with your project,


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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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