However, you can clean and polish laminate with a product like Gel-Gloss, a milky white cleaner/polish much like automotive wax. With a little rubbing, Gel-Gloss will remove most stains and discoloration with its mild abrasive and solvent cleaner.
To make the countertop shine, spray them with a vinegar solution. Mix 2 cups water with 1 tablespoon vinegar in a spray bottle (Image 1 below). Spray the countertop down, and allow the solution to sit for 2 minutes (Image 2 below). Finally, wipe the counter clean.
L, Formica can be coated with many paints or clear finishes as long as it is absolutely clean and is very slightly sanded... 220 grit paper would be the roughest that should be used. Since you want to maintain the appearance but just lower the gloss, you could try a water-based polyacrylic coating.
Home Remedies to Make Countertops Shine
Molly Maid recommends using 1 gallon of warm water with 1 cup of vinegar and a few drops of liquid dish soap to clean laminate. For stains and small scratches, make a paste with baking soda and water, then work it into the stain gently.
A matte finish is a better choice to help hide scratches. You'll basically have two choices of surface finish: matte and glossy. Any type of glossy finish will accentuate scratches, and wear will dull it in heavily used areas. So stick with the matte finish.
The truth is, laminate, Formica®, and Wilsonart® are basically the same; laminate is the material while Formica® and Wilsonart® are the brand names. Both brands come in a wide range of colors and patterns and are widely marketed for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and bar counters.
Paint three coats of polyurethane on the kitchen countertops to seal the surfaces. Choose a satin or glossy polyurethane to give the kitchen laminate countertops a high-end look and feel. Allow each layer to dry between coats completely.
The Gel-Gloss Story:
Cleans, protects and restores luster. Highly recommended for use on acrylics, Corian, porcelain, ceramic, Formica and stainless steel surfaces. Works great on tubs, vanities, sinks, showers, spas and countertops.
To use car wax to make laminate countertops shine, it should be applied in circular motions across a clean countertop and left for around 10 minutes. Then, with a clean cloth, excess wax should be buffed away. Car wax not only gives a shiny, granite-like finish to Formica countertops, but it acts as a protectant.
Many recommend a water-based acrylic primer, paint and top coat. Acrylic paint dries to provide the hard surface needed for heavy-use areas like countertops, while water-based acrylic paint cleans up with water and is low on odors. Either way, you'll want to create proper ventilation in your kitchen while painting.
Using epoxy paint for laminate countertops is an easy and affordable way to revamp your kitchen, bathrooms, and anywhere else you have laminate.
Use a plastic laminate restoration product such as Gel-Gloss to hide surface scratches and restore shine and color. This product is available at most home improvement and hardware stores and should be applied to the counter using a dry cloth.
Use a Countertop Paint Kit
You can purchase paint kits that allow you to update the look of your countertops. The product is simple to use and can give you the look of stone for less than hundred dollars. If you want a new look, but don't want to spend a lot of money, painting your countertops is a great option.
They can be used to create glazes, extend paint and change finishes. Gels are essentially colorless paint, as they utilize the same 100% acrylic polymers as acrylic paint. Gels are also excellent adhesives for collage and mixed media, they dry with excellent flexibility with chemical, water and UV resistance.
Any lacquer will stick to Formica. I once did a job where I had to glaze over white Formica. I used lacquer for the clear coat and it worked perfectly.
Formica Countertop Sealer
Sealant is less expensive than replacing the entire countertop and can prolong the life of the laminate in general. There are many brands of inexpensive sealant for laminate to choose from.
When looking to update or overhaul a countertop, use a resin, acrylic or polyurethane coating that's specifically labeled for use as a laminate countertop sealant. Polyurethane coating or a resin laminate sealer will provide shine and a protective coating.
Laminate Countertops Are Not Out of Style.
Laminate is making a comeback and is being used more and more these days because of its improved design and style. Today's laminate looks more like natural stone and because of improved printing techniques and designers who are creating better recreations of stone, laminate has made a dramatic comeback.
Laminate that Looks Like Quartz
Synonymous with laminate countertops, Formica offers countless styles and colors. If you like the look of quartz, this Bottle Glass Quartz style from Formica may be what you're looking for. Make your countertops look like new with this unique refinishing process.
Step 6: Seal the Surface. Very lightly rub the dried surface with fine-grain steel wool. Wipe away and dust with a tack cloth. Use a non-yellowing, oil-based polyurethane to coat the painted surface with a smooth roller.