Laminate repair pastes are best for chips, holes, and scratches that only measure a few inches but stand out like a sore thumb. Broken, Chips or Cracks. CLICK on the photo to have this product in your hands in days. Maybe the dog leaped up and took out a piece of the countertop with his paws or perhaps an upright mixture cracked the Formica after years of use. Formica and other plastic laminate materials serve as economical and low-maintenance alternatives to granite or solid-surface countertop finishes. Here's what he wrote: "I have an undermount farm sink. Rapid-dry. Luckily, these have to do with your DIY skills rather than the product quality. This option is so popular that you'll even find cutting board kits made for this purpose. Complete the form below and each week you'll get: Unsubscribe at any time. Wherever you use it, you can expect a premium natural stone look that resembles a newly installed HD laminate. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. Kampels SeamFil SF941 Original isnt a kit per se because its a one-part laminate repair system that, unlike other repair kits, doesnt involve color mixing. Let the paste dry according to the directions on the package, wipe the excess off from around the damaged area and clean. Invented more than 100 years ago, Formica is one of the most common laminates used on kitchen countertops for its durability and lower price tag. We respect your email privacy. On the other hand, smaller kits wont cut it when you want to resurface an entire laminate countertop. When repairing the edge of a countertop, youll need to secure the glued edge while it dries. Formica comes in a wide range of colors, so you'll need to do a little sleuthing when picking the right paste color. CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE BIDS from local countertop companies that can make waterproof countertops. You can clamp it or tape it. Small chips and scratches can be repaired relatively easily. How Long Does a Memory Foam Mattress Take to Expand? Formica countertops consist of a combination of kraft paper, melamine resin, and a decorative topper in your desired style. Use a putty knife to clean out the area of any debris or loose glue. It comes complete with easy-to-follow instructions that dont require any special skills to execute, as well as all the necessities, so you dont have to pause your project to make a supplies run. If Rust-Oleum doesnt meet all your requirements, you might want to look at the Armor Garage Countertop Refinishing Kit. Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. It can be used on various surfaces, including: It can also be used to repair furniture, boats, and vehicle parts. Take your damaged sample to a Formica dealer for assistance, or remove a small section of laminate from an out-of-the-way location in your kitchen, such as between the counter and the refrigerator. Avoid rubbing the paste into the counter, as even the light abrasion can damage the counter. epoxy. Simply mix the compound to match your laminate countertop color. Apply the filler to the chipped area using your putty knife, filling the chip completely. There you have it; the top picks and alternative kits for the two types of laminate counter repairs. You may need to reapply the filler if it's a material that shrinks when it dries; follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Use a straightedge to guide your cuts. Typically, countertop repair kits come in two types: As youd expect, resurfacing kits cost more. The one issue you might have with this kit is that sanding (one of the installation steps) can be a bit challenging with the included sanding block. The surface should be ready to use in about 24 hours after applying the finish. Last but not least, SeamFils versatility, user-friendliness, and impressive results dont come at a premium. If you're concerned about the match, request a custom paste color based on a sample of your counter. You will learn how to do this in the next section. Tim Carter discusses how a laminate countertop repair kit might save you lots of money. But stains still happen, especially if they've sat for a while. If the damage is large (and depending on the location), try covering it up with a decorative tile and use it as a hot pad or trivet. This kind of versatility is especially handy because fixing a minor scratch, gouger, or nick in your laminate countertop likely wont consume the entire product. Should I replace the sink with an overmount sink?". While plastic laminate holds up well to daily kitchen demands, this material is vulnerable to chips from dropped objects or sharp impacts. Dry with a soft cloth and allow to air dry completely. small ones that repair a scratch, nick, or gouge, complete re-coating kits where you apply a tough coating over the entire countertop, Home Improvement and Home Construction Podcast, Stain Solver - Certified Organic Oxygen Bleach. Youll also need to purchase a retardant separately if you need it. Thinking about ripping out your kitchen counters but hate the thought of spending all that money to replace them? However, if the damage goes further, it will be necessary to fill it in first. Robert, who lives in Florida, asked Tim about these kits. You can use countertop polish to cover small scratches, but the fix is only temporary. When you want to make minor repairs on your laminate countertop, you want to choose a kit thats pocket-friendly and versatile. 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Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. Laminate paste makers know this, however; and theyll likely provide a full array of common colors and instructions on how to mix hues to create your ideal color. Use a putty knife to scrape over the top and make it level with the surface. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, Transform Your Kitchen and Bathroom Instantly. This laminate repair solution is also versatile. Before applying the paste, clean the counter with an ammonia solution to remove any dirt, grime and grease. Performing minor repairs or refinishing can be cheaper than replacement as far as keeping your laminate countertop in great shape goes. You'll find a wide range of contact cement brands including Gorilla Glue and 3M, but its critical that you use one thats made for laminate counters. The best laminate countertop repair kits for minor repairs and refinishing are the Kampel SeamFil SF941 Original and Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations Kit, respectively. You cant buy any other solvent, either; other solvent brands may cause crazing of the material. Begin by lightly heating the old glue by placing a tea towel over the area and using an iron on a no-steam, cotton setting. For tougher stains, create a paste with baking soda and water, and then let the solution set into the stain before wiping it clean with water. This product takes our top spot for several reasons. Tint with our EZ-Tint. On the bright side, this kit gives you over ten color options, making it an ideal alternative if Rust-Oleums natural stone finish doesnt appeal to you. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Simon Shadow Once the area is clean, polish the surface with lemon oil or a car wax. Complete resurfacing/refinishing kits meant to give your entire countertop a new coating. And since refinishing is a bigger DIY project than fixing chips and scratches, youll want your kit to include all the necessities. If you still cant find a perfect match for your countertops color, color mixing is still an option. Speak with your local Formica installation team about local prices and suggestions for your project. Allow the cement to dry for 15 minutes, then carefully line the replacement piece up and press it into place. Formica countertops don't stain easilyone of the best perks of this affordable option. m) or 12 ft. (3.7 m) linear countertop surface. It can cover up to 30 sq. It's time for a new top. It's an amazing system: This is a kit that will restore your entire laminate countertop. A large portion of your Formica is in a state of major disrepair, but the rest of your countertop still looks new. Perhaps the only drawback to this product is that you might need to purchase a Kampel SeamFil SF-99 Solvent separately. Your email address will not be published. Polishing the area will help remove the dull finish that can draw attention to the repaired area. Best Kit for Minor Laminate Countertop Repairs, Best Laminate Countertop Repair Kit for Refinishing, Best Overall: Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations Kit, A Great Alternative: Armor Garage Kitchen Countertop Refinishing Kit, Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations Kit, Armor Garage Kitchen Countertop Refinishing Kit, How to Thin Rust-Oleum Paint for Spraying, 6 Effective Ways to Reinforce Floor Joists for Plumbing. If the damage consists of light scratches, clean the area with vinegar or bleach to remove any stains from products that may have gotten into the scratches. Every brand of laminate paste comes with unique instructions, so be sure to follow the suggested steps. Once dry, you may sand lightly to smoothen things up. Are you tired of the color of your Formica? The Formica brand website recommends two options for getting rid of stains. In other words, user-friendliness, too, is a critical consideration. Remember to remove any excess paste immediately after your first pass. Laminate Countertop CARE TIPS - Several are Secret. . Fix a Chip Repair Kit and Armor Garage Kitchen Countertop Refinishing Kit can be great alternatives. Remove the damaged section with sharp wood chisel, being careful not the gouge the substrate material behind the laminate. Let the counters dry thoroughly and then spread the paste over the bad spot with a putty knife. If there are simply scratches on the surface, they can be polished over with wax. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The tube will set you back between $5 and $20 depending on the brand and the style of your countertop. Grey Tones Light Cure Acrylic Repair Kit, for granite, quartz and corian. Imagine inventing a countertop material so popular that homeowners associate the brand name with a whole category of countertops. Can I cut out the bad wood? Installation will cost between $30 and $40 per square foot for materials and about $30 to $40 per hour for the team.