Use paint to cover old laminate and give it a fresh new color. Oil-based paint will adhere as long as the countertops are properly prepared and finished. This includes a through cleaning, sanding and cleaning again, followed by a coat of primer designed to bond with plastic.
Laminate countertops can be covered to refresh the look. 'Contact paper is a great short-term solution to cover outdated laminate countertops,' says Erin Dunlap. For a longer term fix? 'An epoxy countertop paint product is a much better option if you want your DIY effort to last more than a year or two,' she says.
Cover with Tile.
If your laminate countertops are in less-than-ideal condition, or if painting over them doesn't appeal to you, there is still hope! Simply tile over them. Tiling is a relatively inexpensive alternative to solid countertops, and with the huge variety of available tiles, you can create any look you want.
If you like the layout of your laminate kitchen counters, then you should consider refinishing. Refinishing can completely restore your laminate countertops to a like-new condition and feel. And dozens of colors and textures are available to you, including a stone look using Miracle Method's Natural Accents.
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.
Q: Can I install plastic laminate over a countertop that's already covered with existing laminate material? A: Yes, but the existing surface must be even and smooth. Repair any gouges or loose edges and make sure the existing laminate is glued firmly.
Painting Countertops
This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It's very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.
Using epoxy paint for laminate countertops is an easy and affordable way to revamp your kitchen, bathrooms, and anywhere else you have laminate.
Countertop resurfacing is a fairly easy process of covering the existing surface with tile or sheet goods. In just a few hours or days, you can give your kitchen a whole new look at a fraction of the price of brand-new counters. Resurfacing works best over smooth laminate.
If you have old laminate (Formica, Wilsonart, etc.) countertops that have square edges, you can cover them with a layer of new laminate, which is sold in sheets up to 5 feet wide and 12 feet long.
Peel and stick tiles are a great way to redecorate. Peel and stick tiles, sometimes referred to as self-adhesive countertop laminate offer homeowners an economical option to dress up old or distressed countertops.
Ceramic or natural tile can be applied over an old laminate countertop, but prep work can be difficult, especially with rolled edges. Sometimes it's simpler to start fresh.
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.
Epoxy countertops provide a glossy look that can make cheap materials like laminate or worn-out wood seem more luxurious.
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 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.
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.
If you want to make a big impact in your kitchen without a big investment, consider priming and painting your laminate countertops. Your local paint store can supply you with the best type of paint to use in this project. Many recommend a water-based acrylic primer, paint and top coat.
A countertop overlay is the result of a process in which concrete or another artificial material, such as granite, wood, or laminate, is applied or installed over existing countertop material to create a new layer of a smooth surface that covers the existing surface.
A: We don't typically recommend laminating over laminate – but you can do it if you're willing to put some elbow grease into it. You need to sand the old surface down to the brown core in order to make sure the adhesive sticks and stays stuck.
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.
Laminate That Looks Like Wood
Low-maintenance and scratch- and scuff-resistant, laminate comes in a variety of finishes that can look like everything from maple to oak to cherry. These 10 kitchen countertop ideas are everywhere right now.
A counter or tabletop made of linoleum - or vinyl, for that matter - may not be as durable as some wood products, like butcher block or hardwood. And depending on how the edges are finished, a linoleum counter may not be the best for wet locations, such as around the sink, where stone or tile would be more durable.