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It ’s a dilemma shared by many homeowners : Yes , those tired Formica countertops and storage locker door in the kitchen or bath date the way , but the price to replace them exceeds your current budget . Do n’t assume you simply have to take that your space is securely tethered to the 1970s by its avocado tree green or reap atomic number 79 Formica replication or cabinet , however . There ’s another way to deal with out-of-date or ugly laminate , as long as it ’s in reasonably good condition : pigment .
create in 1913 as a form of insulation , Formica , which is the brand name of the laminate made by the Formica Group , is not made entirely of charge plate , despite the feeling and coming into court . It ’s actually made from many layers of paper , which are soaked in rosin , dried , and then sealed in vindicated cyanuramide . Hugely democratic from the fifties through the 1970s as an inexpensive , colorful , and fairly perdurable countertop fabric , it ’s no wonder that Formica is making something of a comeback today in new installations . Still , many homes still sport Formica buffet or console in yesterday ’s colors and patterns .
Photo: iStock
While updating the people of color of Formica with fresh coats of key can be a act time - wipe out , it is n’t especially difficult , even for a father tothe do - it - yourself scene . As long as you prep patiently and properly , starting with a bonding undercoat to aid paint in adhering to the slick , nonporous surface of the Formica , you’re able to achieve professional upshot . This elaborate guide on how to paint Formica will walk you through transform your kitchen or bathroom from ho - hum to wow .
Tools & Materials
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How to Paint Formica
Step 1: Prep your space with drop cloths and painter’s tape.
Whether you design to paint Formica riposte or cabinets , uses drop cloth moderate in billet by panther ’s tape to protect the surround area : level , blue cabinet ( if you ’re painting countertops ) , countertops ( if you ’re painting upper storage locker ) , and any nearby fixtures .
At the same prison term , tape off anything near the Formica that you do n’t want to get paint on .
Step 2: Remove all dirt and grease from the Formica.
Step 3: Sand the Formica for better paint adhesion.
Protect your eyes , tegument , and lungs from airborne laminate dust with goggles , boxing glove , and a dust mask . Then , use120- or 150 - grit sandpaperor a sanding block to scuff the shiny surface . ( Because Formica is non - porous and slick , paint wo n’t adhere in good order without first roughing it up a little . ) Do n’t disregard corner , divots , and edges , and do n’t skip this step or skimp on the operation — it ’s tedious , but it ’s crucial to achieving a professional - front result .
Step 4: Repair any dings that would show through a coat of paint.
Vacuum or use a clean rag to off all traces of sanding dust so that you could inspect for imperfections . Then , repair any small hole , bread , or cracks in the Formica control surface with epoxy resin putty , spreading the putty as smoothly as potential with a putty knife .
allow the putty dry out for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer , and then lightly sandpaper it until it blends in with the rest of the aerofoil .
Step 5: Clear the dust before you continue.
Again , vacuum the Formica heel counter or cabinet door to remove sanding dust . Finish by pass over these surfaces with a more or less damp rag to remove any final trace of rubble . The light speck can prevent blusher from fully sticking to your Formica .
Step 6: Roll on a coat of bonding primer.
Open a window and set up a fan to allow for good ventilation ; the primer and paint you will apply is generally strong - smelling stuff because of the volatile constitutive compounds ( VOCs ) the intersection contain .
With a pigment roller , ground the Formica with a coat of bonding primer intended for glossy surfaces . Bonding primer incline to be thick , so for the smoothest software , a foam tumbler is serious .
Once it has fully dried , apply a second coat . permit the undercoat dryaccording to the producer ’s directions .
Photo: iStock
Tried-and-True Advice
“ One peak I discover exceedingly helpful was to use a heat gun ( or even a fuzz dryer ) to gently warm the surface of the Formica before applying undercoat . This makes the laminate slightly more pliable , helping the bonding undercoat adhere better , specially in stubborn orbit . Just be careful not to overheat it . ”
Step 7: Paint Formica in your choice of paint and color.
you could top bonding primer with eitheroil - base or water - base rouge . supernumerary durable fossil oil - based paints may make a safe selection for countertops that see mountain of article of clothing and binge but , mostly speaking , water - based paints are more popular because they dry faster and give off less noxious VOCs in that meter .
Stir the key , and apply a slight , even cake to your Formica using a clean foam roller or pad . brush are n’t the just choice for paint over Formica ; they ’re likely to leave stroke marks . If you arepainting cabinet , lick from the top down ; if painting a rejoinder , start at the back and work your way forward .
get the paint dry completely , and then apply a second coat . If you prim in good order , this should be enough . If you are paint a light people of colour over very drab Formica , however , you might need to go for a third coat of paint for full reporting .
Photo: iStock
Step 8: Peel away the tape before you clean up.
Remove any protectivepainter ’s tapeonce the key is flashy but not quite dry . This maintain edges sportsmanlike and prevents the tape from sticking or deplumate .
Step 9: Wait the full recommended dry time.
get the blusher curefor the full length advocate by the manufacturer . This could be anywhere from hours to days , but do n’t get raring . Sealing paint that is n’t in good order cured is likely to end in bubbled or weak results as the underlying wet try out to vaporise .
Step 10: Protect the paint with sealer.
Seal your paint counter or cabinets with a clear semi- or high - gloss protective finish . Use petroleum - basedpolyurethane sealerover oil - based blusher or clear acrylic sealant over acrylic pigment . Apply two coat of sealer , allowing time to dry out wholly between the two passes . You ’ll achieve the smoothest resultant role with a natural - bristlepaintbrush for rock oil - based polyurethaneor a synthetic - bristle paintbrush for acrylic paint sealer .
Step 11: Reassemble your kitchen or bathroom.
Replace computer hardware , return your cabinet door to their right spot if you removed them for painting , and clean up your work sphere . Your job is ended !
Go easy on your freshly painted Formica for a couple of weeks . Even though the fusee may dry out quick , it needs clip to bring around whole . During this time , do n’t scrub the surface . Just pass over it with a moist sponge if necessary .
How to Maintain Painted Formica
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