How To Relaminate A Countertop

How to Relaminate a Countertop

Re-laminating a countertop is a great way to update the look of your kitchen or bathroom without having to replace the entire countertop. It is a relatively simple project that can be completed in a few hours with the right tools and materials.

Materials you will need:

New laminate
Contact cement
J-roller
Sharp utility knife
Sandpaper
Measuring tape
Pencil

Instructions:

Remove the old laminate. Start by removing the old laminate from the countertop. To do this, use a sharp utility knife to score the laminate along the edges. Once you have scored the laminate, use a pry bar to remove it from the countertop.
Clean the countertop. Once the old laminate has been removed, clean the countertop thoroughly with a degreaser. This will help to ensure that the new laminate will adhere properly.
Apply contact cement to the countertop. Apply a thin layer of contact cement to the countertop. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying the contact cement.
Apply the new laminate to the countertop. Carefully align the new laminate with the countertop. Once you have aligned the laminate, press it down firmly onto the countertop. Use a J-roller to roll out any air bubbles.
Trim the excess laminate. Once the new laminate has been applied, use a sharp utility knife to trim the excess laminate from the edges of the countertop.
Sand the edges of the laminate. Sand the edges of the laminate to smooth them out and remove any sharp edges.

Tips for re-laminating a countertop:

Be sure to use a sharp utility knife when scoring the old laminate. A dull knife will make it difficult to remove the laminate cleanly.
Apply the contact cement evenly to the countertop. If the contact cement is applied too thickly, it will be difficult to remove the air bubbles from the laminate.
Press the new laminate down firmly onto the countertop. If the laminate is not pressed down firmly, it will not adhere properly.
Use a J-roller to roll out any air bubbles from the laminate. Air bubbles can cause the laminate to peel up over time.
Trim the excess laminate carefully. If the laminate is not trimmed carefully, it will look sloppy and unfinished.
Sand the edges of the laminate to smooth them out and remove any sharp edges. Sharp edges can be dangerous and can cause the laminate to peel up.