How to Troubleshoot Formica Veneer
Formica is preferred by many homeowners for its durability, and it is often used to make countertops. However, over time Formica can lose its luster, look dingy and become scratched, and veneer can peel away from the surface. Veneer is often made from laminate, and is placed on top of the Formica substrate. One of the most important troubleshooting steps is making sure that the veneer is adhering to the substrate below it. Once you've determined that it's properly in place, you can clean the Formica veneer. During the cleaning process, you can remove most stains and restore shine to the surface. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Contact cement
- Mild detergent
- Damp cloth
- Towel
- Sandpaper
- Nylon scrubbing pad
- Cloth
- Formica countertop wax
Instructions
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1
Insert some contact cement between the peeling Formica veneer and the substrate. Place a weight on top of the Formica to secure the adhesive for 15 minutes.
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2
Spray a mild detergent on the Formica countertop. Wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove all dirt. Next, wipe it dry with a towel.
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3
Pour bleach on a food dye, tea or fruit drink stain. Allow the bleach to sit for two to five minutes. Wipe away the bleach. Clean the area again with a mild detergent.
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4
Remove scratches from the Formica countertop with a piece of sandpaper. Use 220-grit sandpaper on matte-finish Formica, 320-grit on satin finish and 600-grit on semigloss finish. Do not sand gloss-finished Formica. Use small circular motions until the scratch is gone.
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5
Blend the area with a soft scrub cleanser and nylon scratch-free scrubbing pad.
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Spray the countertop with a cleanser designed for solid surface countertops to add some shine to the Formica. Wipe down the cleanser with a dry cloth.
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7
Rub a wax product that is suitable for Formica on the countertop with a clean rag to add more shine. Allow it to dry on the countertop and leave a hazy residue.
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8
Buff the dried wax residue off the Formica countertop with a dry cloth. Move the cloth in circular movements to buff the countertop.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase contact cement and Formica wax online or at home improvement stores.
Remove cigarette burns from Formica veneer with an abrasive pad, and remove nail polish with nail polish remover. Fill chips and burns with matching epoxy glue; it is often difficult to find a glue that will match.
Never use cleansers that contain strong acids to clean Formica, as these types of products will harm the coating.
