How can I change my 1950's Formica countertop without replacing it?

Sand with 150 grit paper, paint over it either making a marbled finish or granite or just plain color then epoxy the top after it dries. Go to Pinterest and look for countertops that have been epoxied. You should remove the sink to do it. This is far less expensive then buying the kits at big box stores

Sheila, You can purchase a kit to roll on a new top. Check with Home Depot or Lowe's paint department. They have a variety of colors. Aloha!

I just used Daichle StoneCoat countertop kit. It was awesome. Easy, clean to use. No talent required (believe me...I HAVE none to give). It turned my boring mid-gray countertops into textured, stone-like ones. I can't praise this stuff enough. It can be ordered on Home Depot.com, but is not in their stores.

Wondering about food safety and epoxy? How do you manage your surfaces? Even if you use a cutting board I would think it may pull off bits of paint?

Thanks!!

No fumes at all. I did not remove my sink, and did it by myself. One kit...cost $125.00 https://photos.app.goo.gl/3zC4XwHxfuVgxvX98

Epoxy resin does wonders.

We used Henrys Feather Finish to go over our 1950's countertop. Now we have cement tops and I love them! We have had them a year now and they are still great. We stained ours a dark grey so they look almost like slate.

Rustoleum and Gianna have kits that can be used to paint counter tops into a different color.

High quality contact paper, a scraper and lots of patience. Did mine a year ago and still looking good. Resists water, oil etc and if a piece does get damaged it's a doddle to replace.

Hi Sheila, you can paint them, I painted mine and they lasted a good 12 yrs until I could afford new ones. Here's how I did it, hope this helps you out.

Lightly sand to rough the countertop up.

Go to your paint store, tell them what you are painting, they will pick the proper paint and primer for you, you can even get the primer tinted for a better coverage.

Once you have sanded, clean with TSP, then rinse and dry thoroughly,

Apply your primer coat, let it dry according to the instructions.

Once the primer coat is dry, apply your paint coat, I would apply 2 or 3 as it will be stronger and thicker

Once your coats dry, you can apply a matte clear coat, either by spray or roll on, keep a small container of it under your sink for touch ups, (I never touched up) I had my counters like this for 12 years, until I could afford new ones.

I used a few uncolored glass cutting boards for protection from hot frying pans and pots. It held up very well. And only costs you the prices of the materials.

Good luck!

Paint it. You can buy a kit made just for countertops.

You could always skim coat it with cement you’ll use a trowel to apply a thin but consistent layer of the concrete over every inch of your sanded laminate, and then let that dry.