Laminate kitchen work surfaces are among the most popular worktops on the market, favoured for their low-maintenance reputation and the variety of designs available. However, should a mishap occur that causes a chip in laminate worktops, they are not quite so straightforward to repair as wooden worktops, which are solid material throughout, and can therefore simply be sanded back and refinished. That being said, please don’t panic if your laminate surface develops a chip: with this handy how-to guide, we provide all the information required to have your worktop looking like new in no time.
If your worktop is badly damaged, it may be more cost-effective to replace the surface rather than attempt to repair it. Our range of laminate worktops start at just £60 and are available immediately from stock with delivery via our own 2Man teams. We also offer a full bespoke laminate worktop cutting service which allows us to customise your worktop to match an existing surface. Our cutting service includes the option for creating hob or sink cut-outs, application of edging strip and creation of a mason’s mitre joint to join two or more worktops together. And finally… If you have further questions about the care and maintenance of laminate worktops, why not read our Laminate Worktops Aftercare guide? Alternatively, please contact us and we will be happy to help with any queries. Please note: This guide was originally posted on 21st September 2016 and was updated on 8th March 2018 to include additional information.
Laminate countertops are designed for strength and durability, but they can chip when subjected to heavy impacts, sharp objects or regular wear and tear. Laminate is available in most home improvement stores and requires little effort to replace, but it's often sold in large sheets and it can be hard to match your specific pattern or color. If you can't find a good match, you can use a piece of laminate from a hidden area next to your stove, refrigerator or dishwasher. Obtaining a Piece of Laminate
Repairing the Countertop
Formica and other plastic laminate materials serve as economical and low-maintenance alternatives to granite or solid-surface countertop finishes. While plastic laminate holds up well to daily kitchen demands, this material is vulnerable to chips from dropped objects or sharp impacts. Restore the look of your Formica with simple patch and repair methods designed to fix chips in laminate counters.
Tired of your worn-out laminate countertops? Weary of looking at the same old stains and battle scars? Does the color remind you of a bad childhood dream?
Take heart, there’s good news. You can repair your chipped and aging laminate countertops using simple techniques and, in some cases, common household products you probably have around the house.
If you're looking to give your countertops a whole new look but are watching your budget, you can completely transform them for less than $300. Refinishing kits and tough peel-and-stick vinyl coverings are tailor-made for the DIYer, and the results are dead ringers for real granite slabs.
Want to spend even less? Paint laminate tops to make them look like granite, using your creative chops to produce beautiful, durable results you'll be proud to show off. As a bonus: You’ll be recycling your countertops while they're in place, keeping your old counters out of landfills and contributing to sustainability.
Small scratches, gouges and chips can be fixed with laminate repair paste or a color-matched repair pen, available at most hardware stores and home improvement centers. Choose the color that most closely matches your countertop color. $8.
Once hardened, you won’t have the opportunity to sand any excess without damaging the surrounding laminate, so fill each blemish carefully, and don’t overfill. The object is to camouflage the defect.
Stains can be removed using a paste made from baking soda and water. Put the paste on the stain and let it work for a couple of hours — don't rub. Gently wipe off with a paper towel.
For more stubborn stains, try a little nail polish remover on a clean rag (use white rags so you won't get fabric color on the countertop). Other solvents to try include paint thinner, denatured alcohol and acetone. Use sparingly.
Transform your laminate countertops using paint — the ultimate DIYer’s friend. Faux granite is one of the most forgiving of all decorative painting projects — the mottled look is easy to get using sponges and a dabbing motion, and you can just keep going until it looks right. It’s ideal for large surfaces, such as countertops.
Take note: The quality of your finished countertop job is very dependent on how good your prep work is. Follow these guidelines:
To get a granite look, you'll apply at least three different shades of paint, working from light to dark, or vice versa. The first coat is your base coat and should completely cover all surfaces.
Add subsequent layers with a sponge, dabbing in random patterns. Here are some tips:
After painting is complete, apply at least two acrylic polyurethane topcoats, using a dense foam roller.
Pre-assembled kits help the DIYer get all the ingredients together. Most kits include pre-selected paints so the final color blend is realistic.
Not that artistic? Peel-and-stick vinyl sheets from EZ Instant Makeover mimic real granite, even stainless steel and nickel finishes. A 3-by-12-foot sheet is $90.
You can apply the sheets in minutes, although good surface prep is vital, as any defects will show through the sheet. De-glossing your countertop surface (and wiping up any dust with a tack rag) helps long-term adhesion.
As you might imagine, DIY painting, refinishing kits and stick-on products are tough, but they're not invincible.
Like the idea of a low-cost kitchen makeover but don’t trust your thumbs? Pro refinishing services will re-do your laminate countertops for you. You get all the benefits — no tear-out, fast turnaround and a complete budget-friendly countertop redo — at a slightly higher price. Plus, you'll have an experienced pro doing the work.
You'll pay $400 to $650 for an average kitchen countertop refinishing, and the pros will be in and out of your home in about four hours. A five-year warranty is standard.
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