Small chips and scratches can be repaired relatively easily. You can buy laminate repair paste at most hardware stores -- it comes in a variety of colors you can mix to match your countertops. Before applying the paste, clean the counter with an ammonia solution to remove any dirt, grime and grease.
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.
Score the broken edge with a utility knife. Use the iron to heat up the broken piece, then pry it off. Hold replacement piece of laminate edging against the countertop edge and iron it on. If the glue doesn't reactivate, adhere the replacement piece with contact cement.
When you've exposed the swollen part of the substrate, sand it flat and stabilize it (lock all those loose fibers together) with a thick coating of cyanoacrylate glue. Sand a little more, and check the flatness. Bear in mind that it's not a wedding cake or even a brand-new countertop; it doesn't have to be perfect.
To fix a chip in your quartz countertop, you'll need adhesive filler or super glue. Use a brush or spatula to apply thin coats of filler or glue to the affected area until it's level with the surface. If your surface is a dark color, look for pigmented epoxy adhesive, which will blend in with your countertop better.
Nicks, Chips, and Scratches: Use a Laminate Repair Paste
One of the top perks of working with manufactured countertops is that they are often easy to repair with store-bought repair kits. Most hardware stores carry a plastic laminate repair paste.
Contact cement is used to glue Formica to plywood; wood glue will not work. Contact cement bonds permanently on contact and provides the necessary barrier to prevent moisture from penetrating.
Using a putty knife or wooden craft stick, press the paste into the hole so that it completely fills it, leveling the top without overfilling the hole. Once the product dries, it may be difficult to sand it even with the countertop without damaging the counter.
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.
Many people recommend NOT using Gorilla glue because of the excessive foaming. My early experiences supported that view. But in the last two years, I have been using Gorilla glue for bent laminations with good success and without excessive foaming.
You can minimize the potential for chipping if you use a finish blade with lots of teeth, making sure the sharp is keen. You can further reduce the chance of chipping by using masking tape along the cut line and cutting through the tape. As with all cutting, measure at least twice and mark the line well and clearly.
If you have Formica counters, but have decided that you prefer a new design, you can glue down new sheets of this trademarked laminate over the existing surface to give your kitchen a brand new look. The easiest way to install new Formica is with a Formica sheet kit.
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.
To achieve the best results, choose sandpaper with higher grit ranging from 360 to 600. This will even out and smooth over the dried glue on the surface of your quartz countertop. Also, for surfaces, you may use a razor blade for filling the chip. You just need to gently glide on the area with sideways movements.
A number of factors can cause chips to appear on quartz countertops. These include bumping, setting heavy objects, dropping of kitchen materials and equipment, and someone sitting or standing on your kitchen countertop.
Quartz countertop repair is a simple process. You will need an acrylic adhesive, epoxy or a clear resin. For better results, ensure you only use a fast-setting clear epoxy. This dries to a hard consistency and also blends with the surrounding quartz stone.
Circular Saw or Track Saw is the best tools to cut Formica. The power of both saws can cut through the thin and thick layers of Formica.
Laminate sheets are approximately 1/16 inch thick but can be harder to cut than other materials. If you don't have a utility knife, you can try a pair of heavy-duty scissors instead. There are scissors for laminate sheeting; they look more like shears and make single, straight cuts.
The RotoZip XB-LF1 Laminate Flooring Bit allows you to cut through laminate flooring with ease. This carbide bit was developed specifically for excellent performance and long life in cutting laminate flooring.
Related Articles. Contact cement is used to glue Formica to a counter top. If you're starting from scratch assembling counter tops in a new home, or if you're remodeling an older counter top with new Formica, you will need contact cement.
Step 3: Liquid contact cement is the best adhesive for bonding plastic laminate. Apply a thin, even coating of cement to both the substrate and the laminate using a foam paint roller. Allow the adhesive surfaces to dry to the touch.
Gluing the Laminate
Apply a smooth, even layer covering the entire surface. Then brush a layer of contact cement on the back side of the laminate cutout for the counter. Allow the adhesive to dry until tacky (usually 5 to 10 minutes, but check the contact cement label for recommendations).
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.