Formica Countertop maintenance?

bigdog · 06-05-2016, 08:48 AM

I have 18 yr old formica countertops in my kitchen.
They're actually in fairly good condition.

I want to treat or clean them to bring back as much appearance and luster,
as I can, as I will be selling the house shortly.

Thought of a kitchen make-over before selling, but changed my mind and will let buyer make that decision. What I would pick for granite colors, etc may not the same as the next owners' likes' !

In the meantime, looking for suggestions on forminca renewal products.

SteveO123 · 06-05-2016, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

I have 18 yr old formica countertops in my kitchen.
They're actually in fairly good condition.

I want to treat or clean them to bring back as much appearance and luster,
as I can, as I will be selling the house shortly.

Thought of a kitchen make-over before selling, but changed my mind and will let buyer make that decision. What I would pick for granite colors, etc may not the same as the next owners' likes' !

In the meantime, looking for suggestions on forminca renewal products.

I used a wrecking bar on mine. It worked GREAT!

LOL good luck!

ITD · 06-05-2016, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveO123

I used a wrecking bar on mine. It worked GREAT!

LOL good luck!

Same here.

brk-lnt · 06-05-2016, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

I have 18 yr old formica countertops in my kitchen.
They're actually in fairly good condition.

I want to treat or clean them to bring back as much appearance and luster,
as I can, as I will be selling the house shortly.

Thought of a kitchen make-over before selling, but changed my mind and will let buyer make that decision. What I would pick for granite colors, etc may not the same as the next owners' likes' !

In the meantime, looking for suggestions on forminca renewal products.

Good luck. The pattern on Formica is basically a thin layer of paint. As the counters wear, the paint/pattern/color is removed. You can't really "restore" something that is completely gone.

Most counters can be resurfaced in place fairly cheap. If you're really concerned about appearance you may find that option to give a good return on investment.

bruinsfan · 06-05-2016, 05:47 PM

It's a full day DIY and not too hard.

http://extremehowto.com/re-laminate-...tops/?page=all

VitaBene · 06-06-2016, 04:48 AM

Try some mop and glow floor polish, I have heard it works pretty well on formica/ laminates.

tis · 06-06-2016, 06:26 AM

If the counter is not worn out, a product called Countertop Magic gives a nice shine to formica.

NoBozo · 06-06-2016, 12:52 PM

My house still has the original Formica kitchen counter tops and they still look decent after 43 years. The avocado ceramic tiles behind the original GE electric stove, and around the counters still look like new. I have to replace a burner or push button unit (there are 4 each) on the stove on occasion. I bought a new GE, 5 coil small burner last winter for $36 and put it in myself.

I'm pretty sure the colors and style will be back in vogue any day now and will add immensely to the value of the house.. because they are, ..well, original.

NB

PS: I use Soft Scrub on the Formica counter tops once in awhile to keep them spotless.

Orion · 06-06-2016, 03:09 PM

Glad to see your post NoBozo, because I also am a fan of laminate tops. To me, it's the perfect kitchen surface.....no glare (from overhead lights), not too hard, not too soft. Mine are beige and have oak trim edges and are as good as new 31 years later. I added the same (but marble colored) at our lake house 15 years ago.

BroadHopper · 06-06-2016, 05:01 PM

The cottage was first to have Formica back in the 50's. The original was shiny but wore down. I replace the old with new in 1977. It is still like new! I have no reason to replace the countertop.

The condo has Corian countertop added in 2000. It is beginning to look shabby with lots of stains. I'm thinking of replacing it with Formica that looks just like granite!

Merrymeeting · 06-06-2016, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

The condo has Corian countertop added in 2000. It is beginning to look shabby with lots of stains. I'm thinking of replacing it with Formica that looks just like granite!

Corian is a material like wood that has the same characteristics throughout. If it is stained, sand it with a high quality, very fine, sand paper. The stains will be removed and the surface will look like new.

06-05-2016, 08:48 AM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,446 Thanks: 340 Thanked 119 Times in 96 Posts	Formica Countertop maintenance? I have 18 yr old formica countertops in my kitchen. They're actually in fairly good condition. I want to treat or clean them to bring back as much appearance and luster, as I can, as I will be selling the house shortly. Thought of a kitchen make-over before selling, but changed my mind and will let buyer make that decision. What I would pick for granite colors, etc may not the same as the next owners' likes' ! In the meantime, looking for suggestions on forminca renewal products.

06-06-2016, 12:52 PM	#8
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	1973 My house still has the original Formica kitchen counter tops and they still look decent after 43 years. The avocado ceramic tiles behind the original GE electric stove, and around the counters still look like new. I have to replace a burner or push button unit (there are 4 each) on the stove on occasion. I bought a new GE, 5 coil small burner last winter for $36 and put it in myself. I'm pretty sure the colors and style will be back in vogue any day now and will add immensely to the value of the house.. because they are, ..well, original. NB PS: I use Soft Scrub on the Formica counter tops once in awhile to keep them spotless.

06-06-2016, 03:09 PM	#9
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cow Island Posts: 914 Thanks: 602 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	1985 Glad to see your post NoBozo, because I also am a fan of laminate tops. To me, it's the perfect kitchen surface.....no glare (from overhead lights), not too hard, not too soft. Mine are beige and have oak trim edges and are as good as new 31 years later. I added the same (but marble colored) at our lake house 15 years ago.

06-06-2016, 05:01 PM	#10
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,574 Thanks: 3,209 Thanked 1,103 Times in 794 Posts	The cottage was first to have Formica back in the 50's. The original was shiny but wore down. I replace the old with new in 1977. It is still like new! I have no reason to replace the countertop. The condo has Corian countertop added in 2000. It is beginning to look shabby with lots of stains. I'm thinking of replacing it with Formica that looks just like granite! __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

The Following User Says Thank You to SteveO123 For This Useful Post:
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06-05-2016, 05:47 PM	#5
bruinsfan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NH Posts: 147 Thanks: 88 Thanked 73 Times in 34 Posts	It's a full day DIY and not too hard. http://extremehowto.com/re-laminate-...tops/?page=all

06-06-2016, 04:48 AM	#6
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,585 Thanks: 1,618 Thanked 1,638 Times in 842 Posts	Try some mop and glow floor polish, I have heard it works pretty well on formica/ laminates.

06-06-2016, 06:26 AM	#7
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,724 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	If the counter is not worn out, a product called Countertop Magic gives a nice shine to formica.

The Following User Says Thank You to tis For This Useful Post:
bigdog (06-06-2016)

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BroadHopper (06-06-2016)

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