Laminate Countertop End Repair
Countertop loose laminate repair
Countertops are manufactured using a variety of materials including laminate, solid surface, stone, tile and concrete. Laminate countertops are the least expensive, made of
plastic coated synthetics but also the least durable. Wilsonart, Nevamar, and Formica are the main manufactures in laminate countertops. Common problems with laminate countertops are that they can be easily scratched, cut and nicked; which there is no good way to repair except to replace. However another common problem is when the laminate at the countertop end comes loose.
These end pieces can be re-glued and the sooner the better. If left loose, you will find yourself with pieces of broken laminate and the whole end piece may need to be replaced. If the laminate end piece is just loose, a fraction of an inch or several inches, epoxy or Goop can be used to quickly re-glue the piece. First clean the area as much as possible by removing any loose material and old glue.
Use a popsicle stick or toothpick to spread the adhesive on both the substrate and the laminate. Press firmly on the laminate for a tight bond and hold in place with tape until glue is dry. Masking tape can be used but I prefer packaging tape for a little extra strength. Make sure the top corner and end edges are aligned properly so that there is no material left sticking up to catch on something. If the edges are not smooth, us a fine tooth file to remove the uneven edge but be careful to not scratch the laminate surface. Also only apply pressure on the downward direction when filing to avoid chipping and separation.
Laminate countertops are constructed with the use of a contact cement adhesive, not epoxy. So for larger areas, contact cement will be the preferable adhesive. When using contact cement, brush the adhesive on both the substrate surface and the laminate back surface. Let dry according to the manufacture’s directions and then attach with proper alignment. Dry surfaces are not sticky to the touch but will bond immediately when in contact so your alignment must be correct the first time.
If the laminate end cap needs to be replaced, you may find an end cap kit at many lumber yard stores or online. The problem will be finding a color to match. Many of these come as a self-adhesive laminate cap. Clean the countertop end and firmly attach the end cap per the kit directions. If it has a self-adhesive back, use a household iron at medium heat to activate the adhesive. After the cap is set, use a fine toothed file to trim any rough edges.
That’s it! It is a simple fix but the problem can be very frustrating if left undone.
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