How to Re-Laminate a Countertop

Today's laminate has come a long way from the ugly colors of the 1970's but many people are still stuck with that old look because they do not want to have to replace an entire countertop. However, it is possible to get the look of a brand new laminate countertop without having to replace the entire thing. Simply use these steps to re-laminate your old countertop and save yourself some money.

Clean and Sand

Start by cleaning your existing laminate countertop. A product called TSP will remove any built up dirt or grime. Simply wipe on the cleaner with a rag. Then take a dry towel and completely dry the countertop before continuing.

Once the countertop has completely dried, it is time to sand. Using 120-grit sandpaper, lightly sand down your countertop in a circular motion. You do not want to change the shape of the laminate, you simply want to remove the shine from it. Sanding it will help the new laminate stick better.

Outline and Cut

After you have prepared your existing laminate countertop, you want to create an outline of the countertop shape. To do this, tape several sheets of poster board end-to-end and place it on your countertop. Cut the poster board with a utility knife and then double check to make sure that they cutout is a perfect fit. Then place the cutout onto your new laminate sheeting and draw the shape of your kitchen counters onto it using the cutout as a guide.

Now that you have the outline on your new laminate, you need to cut it to fit your countertop. Use a circular saw or table saw and carefully cut along the outline that you made. Tape along the outline that you drew to keep your new laminate from chipping during this process. Don't to cut out areas for your sink.

Glue and Lay

Using a brush or paint roller, apply contact cement to the back of your new laminate and then to your old laminate. Wait until the contact cement on your laminate sheeting is just tacky before you start the process of applying it to your countertop.

Now that you have the contact cement on the laminate, you are ready to start laying it down. Place several pieces of wood on the countertop and place your laminate sheet onto it. These pieces of wood will keep your laminate from setting before you have it in place. Line the laminate up as it should be on your countertop.

Press and Secure

Now, slowly start removing one piece of wood at a time and press the laminate down with your hands. Continue this one by one until all of the laminate has been pressed down by hand. Then, run a J-roller over the entire countertop to make sure that it is securely in place. When using this same process on the edging of the countertop, you are going to want to use clamps to hold the laminate in place until the glue has set completely.

Once all the pieces are in place, let the countertop set for at least 24 hours before you put it back into use. This will give it time to set appropriately before it starts working for you. After it has set, all you have to do is enjoy it. You have a beautiful new countertop for much less than it would have cost to replace it completely.