How can I reglue a Formica countertop?

Ruby Pender
by Ruby Pender

Had new formica countertops installed in 2015. Installer used separate side strips instead of all one piece much to my dismay. Now the side strips have come unglued. How do I repair these or make a new countertop?

Come unglued.

Completely come off. Looks tacky.

  12 answers
  • Dfm Dfm on Jan 04, 2020

    Use rubber cement , 1 layer on the loose strip, one layer on the cabinet, then very carefully, mate the strip to the cabinet.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 04, 2020

    Hello there,

    Use Evo -stick glue or one recommended for Laminates, or paint the edge or use a wooden trim. If it is not that long ago they did the fitting - call them back and have them re-do it! It should never have come off if done properly!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jan 04, 2020

    PowerGrab is a great adhesive. It’s water proof. You can get it at Lowe’s or Home Depot.

  • Unexpected Elegance Unexpected Elegance on Jan 04, 2020

    I like the info here. It includes cleaning the area before reattaching:


    https://homeguides.sfgate.com/reglue-laminate-countertop-27867.html


    Hope it helps!

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jan 04, 2020
    The only way to have an edge not in two pieces is to have it custom made or find it in the limited selection of colors or patterns sold at Home Depot style stores.

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Jan 04, 2020

    You can also try reheating the existing glue using a clothes iron. High heat and no steam. Rub the iron on the affected location to melt the glue. Pressure and a block of wood will hold it flat. The glue will harden quickly.

  • William William on Jan 04, 2020

    They do use side strips since laminate is not flexible to bend. Dfm has the right idea. Tho you need to use Contact Cement. One layer on the strip and one layer on the counter. Wait till it's tacky to the touch. A few minutes. Then carefully line up the strip and stick it on. Once they make contact it's permanent and can't be moved.

  • Hi, Ruby!

    A bit of Contact Cement applied with a disposable brush will fix it right up! I hope this helps!

  • Dee Dee on Jan 04, 2020

    Loctite Power Grab is the glue to use. It works on Everything. I use it all around the house. Make sure when you glue that you use painters tape to keep the piece in place until dry. Oh and it does not smell.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jan 05, 2020

    Hi Ruby, you can reglue it with rubber cement,

    How to reglue plastic laminate edging:

    1. Carefully pull the laminate edging away from the countertop without breaking it.
    2. Apply a thin coat of contact cement to both the laminate edging and the countertop.
    3. Use a pencil or Popsicle stick to keep the two surfaces from touching for 15-30 minutes while the cement dries.

    or you can tape off the formica and paint the bare edge, it will look okay with the paint done in a contrasting color or a color you pick out of the countertop.


  • Use contact cement.

  • Mogie Mogie on Feb 06, 2024

    In my first apartment I had a piece of formica come up around the bathroom sink. I just used a glue gun and put a blob of hot glue under the formica and then set a book on top but keep clear of anywhere the glue might seep out.