can formica countertops be resurfaced?

Question

I think I read somewhere that there is a way to sand and paint formica countertops but I can't remember where I found the infomation.

Answer 1

You have two choices (according to a library book on laminating countertops). You can spread adhesive on the existing laminate [as long as the old stuff is still firmly glued down] and put down new laminate on it without sanding. This will make the counter 1/16" or so higher but that is no big deal. The other is to peel off the old laminate. Use heat and a putty knife not any solvents (which will soak the surface you are going to glue to). Then you have a bare surface that you can apply laminate to.

Answer 2

I do not know of a paint that will withstand the daily abuse countertops go through. It would scratch easily and look really bad in a short amount of time. You can relaminate the top with new formica material. Use directions for initial formica installation on countertops.

Answer 3

I answer this qiestion daily and please do not believe that PAINT on any surface that comes in contavt with food is a good idea.

If you want a new look to the countertop but don't want to remove the formica, there are options. Sanding Mica is tedious and NON effificient in any definition of human labor but if you choose to go that way you can re-surface with a laminate.

Consider the original thought however. Beyond a floor,,,kitchen floor especially; a kitchen counter top is subject to mor use and abuse than nearly any other surface in a house. That equates (in your thought) to not only causing abrasions to the paint and respective residue, but obvious marks.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

I don't know about painting, but you can have the formica refinished. I used to work for someone who did this. I don't know if it is available in your area, but it is not a DIY job. The person I worked for did bathroom reglazing. He used a similar process to glaze over formica so that it looked like granite or marble. It is not cheap, but a lot less expensive than replacing countertops. It can be done in one day and takes about a week to cure.

Answer 5

Not with paint, but for a quick fix you could belt sand the formica to scuff it up and then apply a new piece of laminate over top of the old stuff. Typically you can get a piece of laminate @ home depot or lowes for about $80.

Answer 6

if you sand down a formica counter top you will open up a can of worms. for one the paint will transfer to anything you put on it. it will scar if any sharp object cuts into it. it would be better if you just replaced the countertop with another piece of mica. i have done this in both private homes and hospital nursing stations. in a private home it is a plus because it can be incorporated into a remodeling of a kitchen.

Answer 7

I agree with StevenW. Painting a counter top is not a good idea. In theory, anting is paintable. But like all theories, there are problems. No paint is as hard as Formica, so it will get chipped and marred with use.

Answer 8

You could go to a metal shop and have aluminium cut to size and bent to cover the bull nose, if that would suit your kitchen. If not there is a company who covers formica worktops with a thin layer granite surface, I think they are called counter impressions. I would say paint does not work, I tiles my friends tops with granite tile and butt ended the tiles to avoid groute lines.. You can also use plate glass and paint the underside. I am myself trying to find out about concrete surfaces for the kitchen.

Answer 9

I just asked this question on Yahoo and few days ago. Why not redo your cabinets with Silestone. It looks like Granite but it cost about half the price and they do not have to tear the tops of your cabinets off to install it. It also increases the Value of your home. Check out www.Silestone.com.

Answer 10

Think you found your info in a dream. But, what about tiling the worktop?????