How to Repair Laminated Faced Cabinets

Laminated cabinets are usually constructed of a particle board or other basic wood frame, then covered in a plastic or veneer laminate to give it a look of finished wood or other material. However, that material can become worn, loose or damaged. By its nature, damaged laminate generally can't be fixed and has to be replaced. Luckily, applying the new laminate is a relatively easy project nowadays with self-adhesive laminates available that cut easily and stick firmly to the surface.

Things You'll Need

• Screw driver
• Wood putty
• Putty knife
• Belt sander
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Carpenter's square
• New laminate in sheets (self-adhesive)
• Utility knife
• Wood block (about 4 inches across)
• Cloth

Instructions

1. Take off all knobs and hinges. Separate the different laminated parts of the cabinet.

2. Pull off any loose laminate that will come off. For areas where it's partly off and creating indented spaces, use your putty knife to fill the spaces with wood putty. Let the putty dry for eight hours.

3. Sand the existing laminate and dried putty with a belt sander to get it smooth and flat.

4. Measure the first section of the cabinet to be re-laminated. Mark out the measurements on a piece of new laminate veneer with your square and pencil. Make the area an inch bigger all around than the measurement. Use a razor knife to cut it along the lines.

5. Peel off the paper backing from the cut piece. Press it to the surface, so it overhangs all around. Cut away the excess laminate, running the utility knife along the cabinet edge.

6. Wrap the wood block in a cloth and press it over the new laminate, getting it firmly set and squeezing out any air bubbles.

7. Repeat for each part of the cabinet that you are going to laminate again. Reinstall the hinges and knobs.

References

• This Old House; Laminating a Cabinet