cover up old formica counter top ?

Question

Does anyone know if you can cover up an old formica counter top and what would be easy and look more modern. Npt sure what to use and how to do it so it would look good. Thanks for any help

Answer 1

There are a few things you can do. One is to paint it. Yes, you can. Sand it enough to break the shine, then prime with Kilz. You can paint it with acrylic paint in any faux style you want, or use metallic paint, then top with 5 or six coats of satin polyurethane. I have done that in my house and it has lasted for eight years. It will not take a lot of wear, like cutting and that sort of thing. You also have to be careful not to leave anything wet, like a sponge, sitting on it for long periods of time. The poly will bubble, but will go back down if you leave it alone and let it dry out. This method probably wouldn't work too well if you have kids.

Another really beautiful thing to do is to cover them in copper sheeting. It's not that expensive, it's easy to work with and you can cut it with tin snips. Don't worry about getting it perfect. Copper is soft and the more distressed it gets, the better it looks.

Glue down the top with contact cement. Use decorative nail head tacks to hold down the edges.

I covered an old ugly overhead range fan this way once and it came out really gorgeous. I used a ball pin hammer to distress the copper and then covered the seams with strips of leather and added the nail heads. Beautiful.

You can do the same thing with aluminum sheeting for an ultra modern look.

You can always tile, as well.

Answer 2

My husband does kitchens and baths for a living. THe old formica should peel off with some heat, it's only held on by glue. You can then relaminate the top with new formica in a more modern design. You have to have a bit of talent to do it, but it's not that difficult.

Answer 3

Years ago I had an ugly blue counter top in a rental house. I couldn't afford to replace it so I carefully covered it completely with contact paper (a wood look pattern). Naturally I didn't cut anything on the counter but it held up for several years and I when it got looking bad, I covered it again. I might add that this wasn't a huge area but it sure was cheap and easy!!

Answer 4

I'd rip up the old stuff and use ceramic tile. Or another laminant, but tile is easier and looks better. People scoff alot because of grout lines and bacteria growth, but modern sealers today are anti-bacterial and won't allow mold growth. Depending on ur budget, there are other options like a stone counter top. These things always add value to ur home.

Answer 5

You can paint the formica. First you need to wash it down with a good grease-cutting product. Then lightly sand so that the paint will stick. Prime with a coat of Kilz original primer and then paint color of choice. Or you can try a faux technique. They have kits at the home improvement store for faux painting. Lastly coat with polyurathane.

Answer 6

you can have them re-done right over the old formica, Ours was a blue color(countertops) We had them sprayed its some kind of epoxy, and woo hoo i now have off white and it looks like marble! Had it done 1 year ago, No peeling or chipping.
Whatever he used its what they use to re-do bathtubs.I would recommend this guy to anyone! He did out our Tub &Sinks also

Answer 7

Don't know if there is an easy way to just cover it up, but I would check out the Home Depot website for tips on anything. Have zillions.

Answer 8

I would tile them in. You can easily learn about tiling at Lowes