Refinish Your Countertops

Answer 1

Nothing can detract from the overall appearance of a kitchen quite like a laminate countertop that is peeling, chipped, scratched or otherwise damaged. Take heart: Minor damage doesn't typically require total replacement. By learning how to make small repairs to your laminate countertop, you can keep it looking great for many years to come; some advice for doing so is highlighted below.

Repairing Scratched Laminate

Scratches mar the surface of a laminate countertop and make it look old and unattractive. You can usually get by without having to replace the laminate by using countertop polish. Such polish can be purchased from laminate wholesalers and is available in a dizzying array of colors. Keep in mind that the polish will have to be reapplied every couple of months.

Repairing Chipped Laminate

Chips in a laminate countertop can be managed with laminate repair paste. This paste is available from laminate wholesalers and home improvement retailers like Lowe's and The Home Depot. Simply follow the directions on the paste to fill in the chips and make your countertop look as good as new.

If you can't find a matching color, mix together a few different shades to achieve the right result. Replacing Damaged Laminate Edges

If the laminate edging on your countertop has become damaged, you will probably have to replace it. Doing so is easy enough. To remove the existing edge, use an iron or a heat gun to soften the adhesive. From there, use a putty knife to pry off the damaged edge. Carefully sand the countertop below. Use adhesive sealant to fix the new laminate edge into place. When done correctly, this repair produces seamless results.

Repairing Peeling Laminate

Peeling laminate needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. If it's not, it can incur additional damage and may need to be replaced altogether. At the first signs of peeling, use contact cement to secure it back into place. For best results, apply the contact cement to the countertop surface and to the bottom of the peeling laminate. Press it back into place; weigh it down with a heavy book until the cement is completely dry.

Answer 2

Most people seem to think of replacing countertops rather than refinishing them, particularly since granite and other solid surface countertops have come into vogue. There are many options available for refinishing worn and tired countertops, however. There are paint kits available now that mimic stone, and there are many options available using thin coat concrete finished with an epoxy topcoat. These countertop refinishing options can be pricey, depending on local market conditions. One countertop refinishing option that always is affordable yet versatile is refinishing the countertop with ceramic tile.

In this video, Ron Hazelton demonstrates the steps required in replacing an outdated countertop with tile. The homeowners' existing Formica countertop is lime green, a true throwback to another era. The video is instructive but features the homeowners as active participants in the entire project to demonstrate the fact that truly anyone can complete this type of project with gratifying results.

The homeowners already decided that they would like to have a tile countertop. There is no discussion about other options, perhaps because there are at least three colors of wood cabinets already present in the kitchen. The video focuses not on material selection, but rather on how to accomplish the determined goal. The narrator explains that they will begin by removing the existing countertop. They replace it with three layers: _ inch plywood for stability and strength, waterproof concrete panel, and finally, the tile.

They begin by disconnecting the Plumbing and removing the sink, followed by removing the existing countertop and its attached backsplash. They cut the plywood to fit the entire length of the counter, not concerning themselves in the early stages with the necessary cutout for the sink. After cutting the plywood and securing it to the base cabinets, the narrator explains that they had made a template of the sink cutout from the existing countertop before removing it. They trace the template onto the new plywood and use a jigsaw to cut away the plywood from what will be the space for the sink. A trick that the narrator introduces is the use of two small wood blocks to facilitate the process. Simply cutting along the outline with the jigsaw would cause the cutout portion to sag and make the saw blade bind in the uncut portions Screwing two small blocks of wood to the cutout one at the lower left and one at the upper right helps to support the center piece as it is being cut away. The blocks then act as handles to lift out the waste wood after unscrewing them from the countertop portion of the plywood.

The next step is to cut the concrete backer board to the proper width, and cut the sink opening in that. The homeowner uses a spiral cutting say with a masonry bit. They do a dry fit layout on the counter before committing anything to the permanency of grout. Beginning with the rounded edge pieces that form the edges of the countertop, the homeowners apply grout and place tiles and spacers in a pattern that minimizes the necessity of tile cuts and avoids having to use unsightly small pieces of tile to fill awkward spaces. They fit all of the tile, and then float grout over the entire surface, forcing the grout into the spaces between the tiles. They wash off all excess grout from the tile surface, let it dry overnight and then replace the sink for a beautifully refinished countertop.