How do I put new formica over old formica?




My kitchen countertops have formica which seems to be in very good shape and shows no signs of coming loose. However, it is very dark and ugly. I have downsized and do not want to go to the expense of installing granite, but this current formica makes my kitchen look dark, depressing, and dreary, especially considering that the previous owners also had put up dark, dreary, and depressing glass backsplash. Thanks in advance for giving advice on transforming this dungeon into a castle.
Related Discussions
Vinyl plank flooring vs pergo (laminate)

I currently have stinky dirty carpeting in my living room and I want to replace it with a durable flooring that can stand up to dogs and kids.
How to remove popcorn ceiling that has been painted?

Does having a paint over a popcorn ceiling change how I'd remove the popcorn ceiling?
Why is the newer formica countertop not as smooth as the old formica.

I've replaced a few counter tops in the past years and have noticed that the old formica had a very smooth easy to clean surface. The newer formica, no matter where y... See more
How do I strip varnish off the top of Formica?

I’m restoring a MCM buffet and I’ve determined some previous owner put a lumpy peeling coat of varnish on the Formica top and it’s got to go. Paint stripper mig... See more
How can I update my plain white formica cabinets? Plz help!!!!

I don't know what else to say...except my cabinets are very dated.I see a lot of tutorials on refinishing wood cabinets...but nothing on formica cabinets. Is there no... See more
Step 1
Wash the surface of the countertops thoroughly with a kitchen cleaner and degreaser to remove buildup and debris. Dry it off completely and then let it sit for an hour to ensure that it is dry.
Step 2
Measure the countertop surface to determine the depth and length. Transfer these measurements to the new laminate sheets contained in the Formica kit. Mark the measurements on the back and draw lines for cutting.
Step 3
Cut out a sheet of laminate with a carbide tip blade. Use a straight edge to help guide the blade if you are concerned about the knife slipping.
Step 4
Measure the height of the countertop edging as well as the length of each section of countertop that needs edging pieces. Cut strips that match the height of the edges and are as long at the counter length or side. Use the carbide tip blade knife to make the edge strips.
Step 5
Wipe off any dust that might have settled on the counter and roll on the adhesive that comes with the re-laminating kit. Roll adhesive on the counter edge first and glue the edge strips in place so that they are even with the top edge of the counter. Once in place, roll adhesive on the top of the counter and lay the large sheet in place.
Step 6
Use a clean rubber roller to roll the top of the laminate to press it down and remove bubbles.
You can also go to You Tube and look at instructions on how to do this.
You could paint it or stenciled it then put acrylic over it it will look very shinny
Judith Watson gave you good advice. I would add that you might want to cut them slightly oversize (a couple of inches) and get a trim router to cut them to size once they're in place. I got a cheap one at Harbor Freight and it did a nice job. Also you need to use dowels to separate the layers until you're ready to stick them down. Once they touch, they're pretty much stuck.