How to Restore the Surface of Formica Countertops

Restore worn or stained formica countertops.

Formica is a popular laminate used in kitchen and bathroom countertops. Over time, formica gets dull, especially if you've used abrasive cleansers. Unfortunately, you can't just wipe it down with acrylic and make it shiny again. Although restoring formica takes a small investment of time and money, it's much less expensive than tearing up the countertop and installing a new one. If you're determined to keep costs to a minimum, prepare to paint your formica countertop and make it look (nearly) brand new.

Things You'll Need

• Countertop repair putty
• 320-grit sandpaper
• Orbital sander
• Damp sponge
• Paintbrush or small roller
• Epoxy primer
• Enamel paint (gloss or high gloss)

Instructions

1. FIll any chips or cracks with countertop repair putty. Allow it to dry per the instructions on the package and sand the patched areas flush with the surface with 320-grit fine sandpaper.

2. Sand down the formica surface with the same sandpaper and an orbital sander. An orbital sander will give you a uniformly sanded surface, while hand-sanding will be labor-intensive and far less even. Take pains to sand down corners and edges.

3. Run your hand over the surface . It should feel uniformly scratchy. Go back over any spots that feel smoother than others. Because formica is a non-porous surface, it has to be scratched up in order for the primer to adhere properly. Rinse the surface with water and wipe it down with a wet sponge to remove all particles and debris. Let it air dry.

4. Paint the surface with two coats of epoxy primer, using a paintbrush or small roller. Allow 12 hours between coats and let the second coat dry for at least 24 hours, especially if the humidity is higher than 50 percent.

5. Test the primed surface with a finger. If a fingerprint is left on the surface, let it dry another 12 hours. Then, paint the surface with two coats of gloss or high-gloss enamel paint, allowing each coat to dry 12 hours. Do the finger test before using the countertop as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Look into faux granite paint techniques if you want to totally transform your old formica countertop, but be sure to practice on another surface first.

• Don't rush the priming and painting process. If you apply a second coat too soon, you'll wind up with a gooey mess.

References

• Everything for the Home: Restore Rather Than Replace Laminate Countertops
• Bob Vila: Restoring Formica Countertop Surface Gloss
• Bathtub Refinishing Referral Network: Countertop Repair Kits and Paint

Resources

• Fine Homebuilding: Laminate Countertop Repair Options
• HGTV: Choosing Countertops: Laminate