How to fix a formica counter top

You can go to a craft store and buy some acrylic paint. If your counter has several colors in it try and identify the colors and get those colors. If it is a large area, paint the rotten area with little kilz or other primer. Apply the acrylic paint using splotchy paint strokes or smooth strokes depending on the counter texture appearance. When it us dry and looks like it matches, Then get some polyurethane in a satin finish, or semi gloss if your counters are shiny. Add 10 or 12 coats applying about 30 min drying time. I only use Varathane but it is rather costly and there are other polyurethane brands that you can get in small containers. Don't use a spray. It will last a long time, and depending on your painting skills , no one will notice.

Cut out the rot evenly and replace with new piece or fill in with wood filler or bondo and repaint or polyurethane over the new section.

I despise cheap lazy landlords. If it were me, I would call my local department of housing. Yes, it can be painted. Any big box home improvement store has kits for this project. Give it a go!

Doanie has a good point about materials being costly. It would be wise to price out all the tools and materials necessary for repairing first, and compare it with simply purchasing a piece of new laminate counter top.

Then, as baileyanddaisey said, call your Dept of Housing, or if your community has perhaps a Legal Aid office or similar, to see what your rights as a renter are.

If the sink area is rotting I would think that it would almost be a health issue.

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/changing-up-an-orange-formica-countertop-with-concrete-18147786

Fix the rotted area first with wood filler or a bondo type. Then get a few rolls of contact paper. They have some great ones out there that look so realistic, you’re going to love it.

thanks for all the answers to my counter question. Live in a 2 family home so housing can't help going to big box store to see what they have. Counter is a 70s color ugh that yellow. You made this grandma so happy.