How to Restore a Formica Counter Top
- 1). Have you ever had a dull car finish and used rubbing compound and polish to bring it back? If you have, this will be just about the same procedure. The only thing different is that formica is a lot harder than car paint, and will require more effort.
- 2). Even though we will not be grinding or sawing, safety glasses should be worn while doing this job. Now take the buffing pad and insert it into the electric drill. Pick a spot on the countertop that appears to be the dullest.
- 3). Open the rubbing compound and apply a generous amount to the buffing pad. I found the best and least messy way of applying the rubbing compound is with a table knife. Now you could put the rubbing compound directly onto the countertop surface. Either way, use a fair amount, as it is the rubbing compound that will be doing most of the work.
- 4). If you have ever ran a floor buffer, you will know how a rotating disc reacts to a flat surface. It jumps around like a rodeo bull. Your job will be to tame the bull. The secret is to start slow and not press hard. The harder you press, and the faster you go, the more difficult the pad will be to control. But after a short time you will learn the correct angle and pressure to be used.
- 5). Start off with a spot several inches wide. Do not go across the whole countertop at once. Remember, you are working with a very hard surface, and it will require a lot of time with each small section. Stop periodically and wipe the surface with a cotton rag. Check your progress. When you can see a definite improvement proceed to the polish.
- 6). The polish will be the last step. You will be using the same buffing pad, so there will still be some rubbing compound on it. This will not be a problem as the polish will very quickly disperse the rubbing compound. Use enough polish to keep the surface wet. Start slowly, as the polish is a lot thinner than the rubbing compound, and it will easily fly off the buffing pad. Stop periodically and check your progress. When you finish a section go to another and repeat the process. This is not a ten minute job, it will depend on the size of your countertop and the degree of restoration you desire. But with enough time and effort you can have a very nice finish.
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