Wilsonart Earthstone Worktop - Help Required

[paulmuir1984]

Hi,

First post on the forum and looking for some help please

I've recently had black star Wilsonart earthstone worktops (http://www.wilsonart.co.uk/earthstone.html) installed in my kitchen. Following installation I'm very disappointed with the look of the worktops. The attached pictures shows the finished worktop which looks more like dull grey than black star! The other attached picture shows the worktop when wet and it looks great!

I was thinking would it be possible to maintain the wet look of the worktops by applying some sort of varnish or lacquer? I have a spare piece of worktop to try out any ideas anyone has. Considering ripping them out and starting again, so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

Untitled

• paulmuir1984
• 10 Apr 2014
• 1

Untitled

• paulmuir1984
• 10 Apr 2014
• 1

 

[jay679]

You presumably paid a lot of money, so why not contact the manufacturers or suppliers for their input? I certainly wouldn't start messing around with laquers or varnishes without speaking to them first.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They told you it would look like this:

Complain.

 

[Tigs33]

What did the installers say? Looking on the website they recommend a matt finish.

It looks very similar to the finish we got on our old Capri worktop before it was oiled.

 

[paulmuir1984]

Thanks for the responses to my post!

I've discussed the worktop finish with both the suppliers (B&Q) and the manufacturers (Wilsonart) over the past few months.

Wilsonart stated the worktop had not been finished correctly. After a few arguments with B&Q they eventually paid for a specialist to come and finish the worktops following the manufacturers guidance. The worktop still looks poor following this work. B&Q are no longer interested and have offered me a £50 gift card.

Not sure how to proceed, either contact Consumer Direct for some guidance or try varnish/lacquer/oil on the surface to make it look better.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Do NOT try applying stuff yourself, for then you will have handed B&Q a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Does the worktop look like the one you saw on display in B&Q? Does it look like ones on display in other retailers?

B&Q sold and installed it, and they have not given you the product they advertised. Do not **** about with a £50 gift card, do not **** about with Consumer Direct.

Write to them rejecting the worktop, asking that they remove it and refund all of your money. If they don't then go here: https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim-online

 

[Tigs33]

Well in that case I would do as ban-all-sheds has advised and reject the worktop, it is something that you will have to live with for a long time otherwise. Also it could affect the price if you ever wanted to sell the house. The worktop should be the icing on what looks to be a lovely kitchen.

If you don't mind me asking how much was the worktop?

I am having a black mirror sparkle quartz worktop fitted next week, (they are templating on Monday and fitting on Thursday).

 

[Tigs33]

Oh and I wouldn't put any lacquer or varnish on it, very likely that it will peel/crack and make your worktop look awful.

 

[PDJ]

As a retailer who sells utopia bathrooms which used Wilsonart tops, I was gob smacked when on a factory visit I asked one of the workers why there was so many wd40 cans in the work top area, I asked if they were for the routers......... No he said we use that for polishing the tops before they get sent out!

 

[PDJ]

Oh yeh the other thing was if you get a slight scratch the surface you can use a green scouring pad to rub the WHOLE top down and rep polishwith wd40

 

[ban-all-sheds]

That's a comfort.



Not.

 

[PDJ]

Hi mate
22 years plumbing and 15 years selling &problem solving top end bathrooms
Villeroy & Boch, duravit,sottini,jacuzzi,ambience Bain, vanity hall,utopia etc
The shop I work in was the first utopia dealer 25 years ago and helped the MD help develop the range which now turns over 45 million a year.

If you doubt my previous comments the number is 01902 406400 and ask for the solid surface dept.
If you would like try my suggestions on a small area on the side or under side then I am sure that B&Q would not notice. But also have you tried to Email the wilsonart factory as I am fairly sure they would give aftercare advice.

 

[Gasguru]

Looks like a long process to get a good finish....


http://www.wilsonart.co.uk/download/Earthstone Installation leaflet_1.pdf

 

[Stephen Oswin]

Hi,

I know this is an old thread but I have the same problem. I assume there isn't a solution? I'm currently talking with B&Q who are denying there is a problem, as are Wilson Art. I guess my next stop is http://www.thefurnitureombudsman.org/.

Stephen

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I suggest your next stop is to hit B&Q with a legal claim for a complete refund.