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Hello!
my kitchen counter tops are plastic laminate and in great shape, but the style is early 70’s. all the cabinets are “built ins”, and the back splash is ceramic tile. getting the old counter top out would be a real chore. is it possible to cement new plastic laminate over the old? if yes, what is required to achieve a good bond?
many thanks
michael
Replies
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Michael, if the old laminate is firmly bonded just wash the counter down with laquer thinner [open window first maybe with a fan to vent the room]. Then sand the old laminate with 80 or 100 grit paper to break the slick surface and give the laminate some "tooth" for the glue to bond to. Wash down with solvent once more and apply laminate as you would over wood substrate.
You may be able to scrape the grout out between the old laminate and tile splash to make fitting easier, then caulk the joint when your finished.
I've done this a few times with good results.
Good luck, Chuck
*Ditto Chuck,You gotta rough up the surface.Ed. Williams
*No problemo if you follow the above tips. Might add to miss the old seams if seams are necessary.
*I have relaminated over for a long time just like the above advice. The only thing I will add is: Be sure the adhesive sets long enough. with plywood & chipboard You can rush it a little with out problems.
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Just one more: when resetting the sink, use plenty of putty to set the sink and caulk the joint again from the top. Caulk backsplash joint before setting sink for cleaner caulking, always harder to reach behind the faucet.
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I've never cleaned the old laminate with laquer thinner or any other solvent. Do you guys actually think that is necessary? Belt or random orbit sanding is my prep of choice.
joe d
*I don't know Joe, it's just that safety factor with laminate. Remember that bad batch of glue 6/7 yrs ago. Boing!
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I have a Counter from that era that continues to go Boing', The cabinet man that did the project did come back to reglue the areas that were problematic, but with time I just had other problematic areas.
The gentlemen is an elederly gentlemen that has a cabinet shop while in retirement from teaching. He does pretty good work but it is hard to get him going.
Is there any way that I can get relief right from the factory of the glue manufacturer, and get someone else to replace my countertops.
Or... what needs to happen to get the laminate correct. The edges are still popping, the field is popping, (when you set a glass down, it springs up)
Any help?
Dennis in PA
*I have a Counter from that era that continues to go Boing', The cabinet man that did the project did come back to reglue the areas that were problematic, but with time I just had other problematic areas. The gentlemen is an elederly gentlemen that has a cabinet shop while in retirement from teaching. He does pretty good work but it is hard to get him going. Is there any way that I can get relief right from the factory of the glue manufacturer, and get someone else to replace my countertops.Or... what needs to happen to get the laminate correct. The edges are still popping, the field is popping, (when you set a glass down, it springs up)Any help?Dennis in PA
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I've found glasses with heavier than normal bottoms at Pier One.
*Michael,I have had good luck doing what Chuck had said. I use a belt sander to rough it up.
*Healer,First make sure it's the glue, and then I think the statute of guarantee is prob. over. You might as well either start over or it you can get it all up, reglue the whole thing. Registration of the pcs. is important cause you'll not have the ability to rout again. Does the edgeband come off too? If not, there's something else wrong. Best of luck
*MichaelI wrote a book for Taunton called "Making Plastic Laminate Countertops" and I have a chapter in there about relaminating old counters. I offer a couple of different relaminating options. I think you will find the entire book to be a worthwhile investment. I've received a LOT of favorable response from readers.One possible suggestion for taking care of the fit at the back splash is to simply butt it into the tile and attach a new laminate backsplash at the counter-to-tile juncture. I've done this a couple of times. I strongly recommend that all backsplashes be attached with Smart Clips (they are in the book). I can't say enough good about the clips.Dennis in PA-- Shortly after my book came out I started having several major laminate failures due to bad glue. In fact, the countertop I made for Fine Homebuilding magazine issue #75 was one of them. That issue has a photo of me spraying Wilsonart 1055 aerosol contact cement and saying how much I liked it. What a nightmare the 1055 turned out to be. I filed claims for the top failures with Wilsonart and they sent a fellow from Boston to check the claim out. This guy's whole job was to settle claims in this part of the country. He had been doing it for a few years. He wouldn't tell me how bad the problem was but he said that the laminate on the counters and cabinets in entire hospitals and restaurants and other commercial buildings was coming loose and falling off. It was a BAD situation. I had to sign a paper saying the problem was not Wilsonart's fault. Then they paid for materials and some labor for me to re laminate the countertops that failed. I was very pleased with that! But the situation sure made me look bad in m y customer's eyes---like I was using shoddy materials or didn't know what I was doing :( I have heard that other glue companies had similar problems but my experience was only with Wilsonart. You could try calling them and asking for their claims division. The guy who did the work for you should know if it was their glue or some other company. That's the least he can do, right? Maybe you can get some satisfaction. If not, how about fixing it yourself? You can do it (get my laminate book :)Herrick [email protected]
*Herrick,
View Image © 1999-2000"Whenever, therefore, people are deceived and form opinions wide of the truth, it is clear that the error has slid into their minds through the medium of certain resemblance's to that truth." Socrates
*Don't bad-mouth Wilsonart 1055 adhesive... I made a bundle re-doing delaminations.
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Hello!
my kitchen counter tops are plastic laminate and in great shape, but the style is early 70's. all the cabinets are "built ins", and the back splash is ceramic tile. getting the old counter top out would be a real chore. is it possible to cement new plastic laminate over the old? if yes, what is required to achieve a good bond?
many thanks
michael