Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does it work?
How long does it take?
How much does it cost?
Is it noisy?
Does it smell?
Can I see samples?
Is there a warranty?
How do I look after my bench?
What should I clean my bench with?
There are many types and varying degrees of damage that can happen to bench tops, baths, showers etc. We have different techniques depending on the surface to be repaired and type of damage sustained. However there are general principles of our processes, which stay consistent through most repair procedures. The larger percentage of our work is the repair of kitchen bench tops made with a H.P.D.L. (High Pressure Decorative Laminate) surface "laminate" and of this work a high percentage of damage is blistering from contact with a hot surface (typically a hot pot straight off the stove). There are essentially three stages to the repair process for this instance. Firstly, the blister must be ground out, cleared of loose debris, cleaned and then the hole filled. Secondly, the colour/pattern is applied to match the existing surface. Finally, once the colour/pattern is completed we then replicate the surface texture and gloss level so the repair is no longer seen or felt.
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The above process is usually completed over a series of site visits (typically three). The first visit is to prepare and get an undercoat of colour/pattern.
The second visit is to finish the colour/pattern.
The third visit is to replicate texture and gloss level.
Because there is such a huge variety of patterns and colours in the marketplace and due to the highly artistic nature of our work there is no definite way of saying how long each job will take but the above is typical of most patterns. More defined patterns can take more visits. White benches typically take an extra visit or two to get the depth of colour. The extreme finishes i.e. Matt or high Gloss can also take extra attempts to achieve the desired effects. We continually have "development days" in order to improve our techniques on the more difficult finishes.
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Every job is priced on its own merits but because of the artistic nature of our work we tend to have a "typical" cost associated for a bench repair of $320.00 plus GST. Obviously some types of repair are less work and some damage can be quite substantial but we generally work to a set price to work a repair to get it to match as good as we possibly can.
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Only the initial grinding out of the damaged area in preparation to filling is noisy. This is usually only for a few minutes.
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Yes the products we use have quite a strong odour even though we usually only use small quantities. Our technicians will make sure they have ventilation around their workspace whenever possible. We do advise people sensitive to solvents, pregnant woman and babies to stay away whilst work is in progress. The smell does dissipate reasonably quickly.
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Many people ask to see samples of our work as they have usually never heard of our process or anticipated results. Many people initially think they are going to get some sort of patch over the damage. Our technicians usually carry samples of their work with them but there are so many varying patterns and finishes on the market is virtually impossible to have a sample the same as your bench. We will suggest than you could have a look at work we have done but typically in most cases you would not be able to see anything which is the whole concept of what we are about. To date this has grown to quite a substantial business virtually entirely through word of mouth. Clients from the insurance, construction, real estate, property development industries use our systems over and over again with a very high level of success.
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We can issue a written warranty on request but typically we have used the consumer guarantees act by default. The fact that our repairs now have stood the test of time speaks for itself but if for some reason there was a reason we would certainly appreciate the opportunity to readdress the situation primarily to find out why.
We will soon be offering an extended warranty if you so desire. Click here for further details
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Laminates are a good durable work surface but they are not bulletproof. Some simple tips for maintaining a good looking bench are:-
- Only use warm soapy water for cleaning your bench.
- For stubborn stains or marks use "Jif Power spray" or similar cleaner.
DO NOT use strong solvent based or abrasive cleaners or bleach on your bench top. Some cleaners can actually eat into the surface. Abrasive cleaners will wear through the top surface over time.
- Always keep a chopping board handy so as to never cut directly onto your bench.
- Also keep something (preferably portable) to rest anything straight from the oven or hob on. The bulk of our work is from people who have neglected to do so.
If everybody were 100% careful and alert 100% of the time we would be looking for a new line of business.
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