How to Laminate a Countertop
Spills happen around the house, especially in the kitchen, making your countertops look unpleasant over time. If you want your kitchen counter to be protected, the best way is to put plastic laminate over it. This can be a bit challenging, but if you have the right tools, you’ll do it just fine.
What You’ll Need:
Plastic laminate sheet
Wood putty
Tack cloth
Nonflammable contact cement
Wax paper or brown paper
Pre-cut plastic laminate edge strips
Sanding belts
Rags
Nail set
Measuring tape
Hammer
Belt sander
Putty knife
Safety goggles
Rolling pin or roller
Fine-toothed flat file
Pencil
Straightedge
Carpenter’s square
Saber, table or circular saw
Nylon paintbrush
Router
Procedure:
Prepare your countertop properly. Cover railheads using wood putty, then use a nail set and hammer to sink protruding nails. You should also sand the surface using a medium-grit sanding belt and belt sander, so it will be smooth and level. If it’s an old, worn out countertop with finish, remove the old finish. Sand it down so it will be clean, since bare wood is a great base for your laminate. Use a clean tack cloth to wipe off sanding debris and dust on the surface.
Measure your countertop and write them down. Afterwards, measure the plastic laminate sheet, adding 1/8 to ¼ inch on all sides. Make sure you use a straightedge and a carpenter’s square, so the marks will be very accurate.
Get the saber, table or the circular saw and use it to slowly and carefully cut the laminate sheet. Remember that these sheets are very brittle, so you need to provide ample support as close to the cutting line. Hold it down to prevent chipping ans shattering. You should also wear safety goggles, to protect your eyes from flying shards.
Get the pre-cut laminate edge strips and cover the countertop edges, butting them back together at the corners. Afterwards, measure the front and side edge strips according to the correct length. Put contact cement at the back of the strips, and to the countertop edges, using a nylon paintbrush. Press the edge strips into place over the cemented edge, starting with the side strips, then the front. Flush the bottom of the strip with the edge’s bottom., while the top sticks up over the countertop. Align the edge strip properly when you press it to the cement. Bond it firmly using a roller or rolling pin. Wait for the cement to dry.
Trim the upper edges that protrude using a router. Using a medium-grit sanding belt and belt sander, sand the cut edges properly, so they are flushed with the surface. If the protruding strip is very little, though, just use a belt sander to bring the edges flush. File and smooth the edges in tight spots with a fine-toothed file.
Wipe the countertop with a tack cloth again. Then, put contact cement all over the entire counter as well as to the back of the laminate sheet. Wait for it to dry. Afterwards, cover the whole surface with wax paper or brown paper, laying them back to front.
Put the laminate sheet into place over the countertop, making sure the paper is not disarrange. Put it beside the wall behind the countertop firmly, overhanging it a bit on all open sides.
When the laminate is all set, carefully slide the paper strips along the counter, pressing on the sheet to bond it in place. Don’t let air bubbles form. You might need another person’s help, if the area is too big.
Go over the whole surface with a rolling pin or roller. Check and make sure you press out air bubbles that form between the countertop and laminate.
Trim the excess laminate with a router. Wear safety goggles. For tight spots, use the file. Trim the top’s edge along the edge strip’s outside face. Lastly, bevel the top’s cut edge slightly with a file.
Remove any traces of cement using cement solvent or water, and scrape big blobs with a piece of laminate.
Improve your countertop’s overall look by laminating it. Just follow these tips and you’re sure to get great results.