How to Repair a Formica Laminate with Holes
If your formica countertop has minor nicks or holes, you don't need to replace the entire thing. Patch the holes with laminate repair filler, and save some money for other home improvement projects. Use a laminate filler for small nicks and holes, or along joints where two pieces of laminate meet. Holes larger than 1/8 inch across require several applications of filler over a few days. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cloth
- SF-99 solvent
- Laminate repair filler
- Scrap of laminate
- Polished putty knife
Instructions
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1
Match the laminate filler to the color of your countertops. Although 20 color options are available, the manufacturer also can customize a color for you. Consult the manufacturer's color guide for help finding the best color for your counters.
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2
Clean the area with the SF 99 solvent on a dry cloth.
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3
Squeeze a small amount of the laminate filler onto a scrap of laminate. Work the filler with the putty knife to thicken it and release excess chemical vapors. Mixing the filler will limit shrinkage as the filler dries.
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4
Press the laminate filler into the hole with the knife, and scrape away excess filler product. Laminate filler will begin to dry and harden immediately.
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5
Wipe the area with a cloth moistened with SF-99 solvent. Wait 24 hours to inspect for shrinkage, and reapply filler as necessary. The filler will strengthen over the next few days.
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Tips & Warnings
Close the tube of laminate repair filler quickly and tightly, or it may begin to harden inside the tube.
Although most formica countertops have a "satin" finish, you can work a "clear gloss" product into the filler in Step 3 to make the filler have a glossy texture if needed.
References
Resources
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