Repairing a Laminate Countertop
Knowing how to repair laminate countertops can be useful since, through repeated use and the passage of time, laminate countertops tend to show the effects of water, heat and daily wear and tear. Unless they are damaged to the point of needing replacement, you can repair them. Here you will learn how to repair laminate countertops and to restore them.
Repairing the Countertops
The simplest way to repair peeling laminate is to use a blow dryer or an iron to heat the glue and then to place a weight on the countertop to allow it to reset. If this doesn't do the job, then sand off the old glue and replace it with some contact cement that you can buy at a hardware or home store and then press down with the weight until it sets. Make sure and spread your cement on both the underside of the laminate and the support surface as well. You can press the edges with a hot iron to keep the cement pliable while it is drying. Allow it to dry for 24 hours and it will be ready to use.
Repairing Chips
If you have chips, just buy laminate repair paste to match the color of your counter. This is also available at your local hardware or home store. You can mix colors if necessary to get a perfect match. Clean the damaged area with rubbing alcohol and then completely fill the chips with laminate paste. Smooth it flat with a putty knife and allow it to dry for 24 hours before using.
Edge Damage
If the edge is damaged you can repair it by removing it. Use a blow dryer to soften the glue and then cut away the edges. You can replace them with metal or wood and create a decorative border.
If you have a large area of damage you can cut it away and replace it with tiles or butcher block. That will create a nice stylistic touch to your kitchen and allow you to preserve the remaining laminate area.
