Rejuvenating a Formica Countertop

Q: My husband and I would like to paint our Formica countertop to change its colour. Will this work? The cost of a replacement countertop is too high, and our old one is still in good shape.

A: The only coating I know of that can successfully cover Formica, Arborite and other plastic laminates is something called melamine paint. It’s as thick and tough a coating as you’ll find, though it does have limitations when it comes to countertops. Since these are usually quite smooth, this can make it difficult for any paint to stick. Add to this the high level of wear and tear on any countertop, and you've got a challenge that means you’ll have to take it easy on your new paint job. Another possibility is the application of a new layer of plastic laminate glued directly over the old stuff by a cabinetmaker. This approach could save money (depending on the design of what you’ve got) while making good use of your existing countertop. The same contact cement that holds the current plastic laminate in place can bond a new layer to the old.