In the olden days it was common to nail/screw the substrate (plywood) down
then glue the Formica on. Usually the cabinets/counter tops were all built
in place.
Now-a-days cabinets & counter tops are built off site, delivered and screwed
together. Look carefully for any screws going up though the tops of the
bottom cabinets - remove drawers and look up. If you don't find any then it
is likely you are dealing with option one.
Yes you can glue new plastic laminate (Formica is a brand) over the old. The
unknown will be how good is the original bond between the Formica &
substrate? If you are satisfied with the original glue bonds and the
condition of the substrate then rough up the old Formica with sandpaper and
have at it!
Eric Russell
Mebane, NC
http://home.mebtel.net/~ejrussell
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Kennedy" <kennedybc at comcast.net>
To: "Shop Talk" <shop-talk at autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 7:56 AM
Subject: [Shop-talk] Formica counter
> We have a formica countertop that's at least 20 years old, probably more
> like
> 35 years. Near as we can tell, the countertop is glued down. No nice
> little
> brackets. We pried up a corner of the formica an don't see any screws or
> nails
> going in from the top, but that may be the case.
> We're concerned that if we pull up the counter top, we'll damage the
> cupboards
> that are still in good shape.
> We're thinking about going over the existing formica after re-gluing the
> raised corners. Bad idea?
> Next thought is to remove the existing formica. This one sounds like a lot
> of
> work and maybe we mess up the countertop?
> Any ideas?
> Brian K
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