topic Re: I burned my formica laminate counter in Community Chat

I burned my formica laminate counter

catlover — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 20:29:43 GMT

I have a nice round area the size of a 3 wick candle on my counter thanks to re-lighting a candle that was done-it cracked and split into 2 with the base unattached................my dumb mistake-anyway-now my counter top looks awful and I'm not sure what to do

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

Bridgegal — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 01:58:43 GMT

Depending on where it is, put a nice wood block cutting board over it.

Or use it as an excuse for new countertops.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

cherry — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 02:01:00 GMT

Contact your home insurance

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

Buck-i-Nana — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 02:09:58 GMT

I agree with the cutting board suggestion for a quick fix.

Rustoleum makes a product for painting/refinishing a countertop. One of the options looks very much like your current countertop. My dil did it in her kitchen and it came out beautifully and she said it wasn't difficult to do at all. It's available at any of the big box home improvement stores.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

colliegirls — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 02:10:38 GMT

Either cover it or get new countertops. So sorry!

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

deedledeedeedle — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 02:12:54 GMT

@catlover,

I am so sorry this happened to your countertop. Perhaps you could try to match the palate & touch it up with paint or use a faux granite spray on it so the defect is not as noticeable. Rustoleum makes a good product. I would go this route first befoe replacing the formica. Don't be too hard on yourself because this type of thing can (and has) happened to many of us.

dee

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

Snowpuppy — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 02:16:57 GMT

If it's fairly new you might be able to get the length repaired. If they're older, new countertops. At least w/formica they're not as expensive as stone.

I did this once, too. Put a hot fry pan on the countertop. Nice 10" circular burn.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 02:24:04 GMT

@catlover, Yikes! Is it in a place where you can have something else installed....like marble or something like that for rolling out pastry or butcher block? So sorry this happened, I am sure you are sick about it!

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

libbyannE — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 03:00:15 GMT

I agree with some other posts:

1. Replace all the counters (the laminate is probably older, right?). There are companies that even fit granite over old laminate.

2. Turn that area into into a food prep spot with a section of butcher block.

3. Or, if you bake often or if the damaged area is near an oven or cooktop, replace the damaged section with marble or other stone, both for working dough or for setting down warm pots, cookie sheets, etc.

4. A final idea if plumbing lines are close would be to install a bar sink or prep sink in that spot if that suits your kitchen's layout and your needs.

You have the potential here to make a nice little kitchen improvement!

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

x Hedge — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 03:04:27 GMT

@catlover, (lov your avatar !)

This is patched similar to the way you patch a hole in drywall.

Cut a square of new formica large enough to cover the blemish. Set the new square over the blemish, and trace the new patch square. Follow trace lines to cut out formica square on countertop, removing the blemish. Apply this glop (just ask at hardware store) that disolves the adhesive in the bare spot on the countertop. Sand down flat. Clean bare, sanded space. Apply new adhesive and glue in your new patch square.

Alternatively, you can cut out the old blemished formica and replace it with a contrasting square tile suitable for setting down hot cookware.

Either way, this process is an expensive messy pain, the patch will always catch your eye, and you'll end up setting a cutting board over it anyhow. So find a really nice cutting board, one you enjoy seeing out on your countertop.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

dooBdoo — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 03:07:09 GMT

One of my sisters damaged a portion of her countertop and got a carpenter to install a small, inlaid cutting board in the spot instead of replacing the entire counter. Your homeowner's insurance might be helpful, so I'd check that out, too. I'm sorry this happened to you, @catlover.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

mima — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 03:11:03 GMT

@catlover I would just buy a slightly bigger around candle and leave it there permanently! Quick fix.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

Twins Mom — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 03:36:09 GMT

Remember if you maKe a claim (and it's not a huge thing), it will still "count against you."

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

Mistreatedbycs — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 03:56:18 GMT

I actually purchased laminate for a company I used to work for.

Before any decisions can be made, you need to identify your pattern, is it actually Formica brand or possibly another manufacturer such as Wilsonart. That needs to be done first. The term Formica is loosely used just like Kleenex and it may not be that specific brand.

High pressure laminate is actually glued to particleboard and is very difficult yet impossible to remove just the piece of laminate. I would assume a countertop guy would actually cut a hole out of the counter and attempt to fill the gap. You will see where the hole was cut and filled in. There is no way to avoid that. You will also see the difference of the new vs the old.

Sorry to say, you'll need to spend the money on a replacement, you can also have someone come in and spray an entirely new countertop on the laminate (I've seen that done and it turns out incredibly good and the wear is excellent). There are video's that shows you how to do it yourself but this is a project you would not want to attempt.

There isn't any economical solution to fix this, unfortunately accidents happen.

Please do not attempt to fix yourself, this is one project that is best left to the professionals.

I briefly looked at the Formica and Wilsonart website searching for something similar to your surface and didn't see anything that would considered to be a match, given that, there's nothing you can do for an identical patch. Patterns, solids and woodgrains are changed quite often, some stay for years but the most of them are discontinued and are not manufactured just due to lack of sales or trends.

So sorry, just not an easy fix.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

raven-blackbird — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 04:35:05 GMT

@catlover Bad news is..........you can't fix a laminate countertop........all Formica or Wilson Art is, is a paper with a plastic film top that has been laminated (bonded) to a wood countertop

Yes Rustoleum makes a countertop paint............the result isn't as good as the photo of it on the box. and the kit is kinda costly............best thing is any Home Depot or Lowes, sells laminate countertops in a few color choices (most times only 4) out of their store for a very reasonable price............just replace it.........................raven

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

elruth — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 05:50:49 GMT

As another poster suggested, I would just buy another 3 wick candle and put it on a small plate the size of the burn mark. Since you had a candle there before, it must be in a place where the candle looks ok. I sure wouldn't redo the counter tops. I'd be surprised if your home insurance would cover this and of course I don't know what deductible you have.

Many years ago I burned a hole in the bedroom dresser due to a lit cigarette falling out of an ashtray. I just covered it with a tray where I put my perfume bottles. The dresser was well over $ 1000.00 45 yrs ago and since then I don't even worry about it.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

itiswhatitis — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 06:55:46 GMT

@libbyannE wrote:
I agree with some other posts:
1. Replace all the counters (the laminate is probably older, right?). There are companies that even fit granite over old laminate.
2. Turn that area into into a food prep spot with a section of butcher block.
3. Or, if you bake often or if the damaged area is near an oven or cooktop, replace the damaged section with marble or other stone, both for working dough or for setting down warm pots, cookie sheets, etc.
4. A final idea if plumbing lines are close would be to install a bar sink or prep sink in that spot if that suits your kitchen's layout and your needs.

You have the potential here to make a nice little kitchen improvement!

@libbyannE, @catlover those apply over countertops are not granite, FYI.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

henderson — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 16:26:08 GMT

We used the company Granite Transformation to put granite on our old Corian countertops. Love it. Our friends used them as well as my mom.

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

raven-blackbird — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 16:30:24 GMT

@itiswhatitis wrote:
@libbyannE wrote:
I agree with some other posts:
1. Replace all the counters (the laminate is probably older, right?). There are companies that even fit granite over old laminate.
2. Turn that area into into a food prep spot with a section of butcher block.
3. Or, if you bake often or if the damaged area is near an oven or cooktop, replace the damaged section with marble or other stone, both for working dough or for setting down warm pots, cookie sheets, etc.
4. A final idea if plumbing lines are close would be to install a bar sink or prep sink in that spot if that suits your kitchen's layout and your needs.

You have the potential here to make a nice little kitchen improvement!
@libbyannE, @catlover those apply over countertops are not granite, FYI.

@itiswhatitis you are 100% correct they aren't, it's an acrylic like Corian............and tend to crack

Realistically

1. see above

2. butcher block is much thicker then a laminate countertop, you'll end up with a lip on each side, not too attractive.

3. placing stone there...........stone is a straight glue down if it's 3cm stone, Marple likes to grab stains and is affected by thermal shock as are ALL other stones, putting anything hot on it may result in cracking

4. remember you not only have to have water lines BUT you really have to have a waste line............the water has to go someplace.........all of that would cost more then just replacing the damaged laminate countertop..........................................raven

Re: I burned my formica laminate counter

libbyannE — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 16:38:18 GMT

@itiswhatitis wrote:
@libbyannE wrote:
I agree with some other posts:
1. Replace all the counters (the laminate is probably older, right?). There are companies that even fit granite over old laminate.
2. Turn that area into into a food prep spot with a section of butcher block.
3. Or, if you bake often or if the damaged area is near an oven or cooktop, replace the damaged section with marble or other stone, both for working dough or for setting down warm pots, cookie sheets, etc.
4. A final idea if plumbing lines are close would be to install a bar sink or prep sink in that spot if that suits your kitchen's layout and your needs.

You have the potential here to make a nice little kitchen improvement!
@libbyannE, @catlover those apply over countertops are not granite, FYI.

@itiswhatitis

wrong. They do a 1/4" granite overlay. I don't like granite (we have Quartz) but I have seen a kitchen with real granite overlays.