Fix loose laminate quickly and easily before it breaks off.
Time 15 minutes
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$30 to $75
Introduction
Repair loose laminate on a countertop quickly and easily with contact cement. It takes only 15 minutes.
End caps and other laminate countertop edges sometimes come loose and can get broken off if you don’t repair them immediately. But as long as the particleboard backer is in good condition, the fix is simple.
If the countertop is on the newer side, first try ironing the end cap back on with a medium-hot iron to reactivate the glue. However, in most cases, the loose piece will need to be reattached with contact cement.
If your end cap has broken, scrape it off and take a piece to a home center to find a matching replacement piece. This way you don’t need to replace the whole countertop or deal with a mismatched patch job.
Tools Required
- Putty knife
Materials Required
- Contact cement
- Sandpaper
- Toothpick
Project step-by-step (3)
Step 1
Apply contact cement
Scrape off chunks of debris or dried lumps of glue from the end cap. Next, sand rough areas with medium-grit sandpaper, then apply the contact cement. Spread the contact cement on with the applicator or a disposable natural bristle brush for a laminate countertop adhesive, covering all edges.
Step 2
Let the glue dry
Open nearby windows to dissipate the fumes from the glue. After completely coating both sides, keep them separated with a toothpick until the adhesive is tacky. This usually takes about 20 minutes.
Step 3
Join the surfaces
Carefully rejoin the two sides, starting at the back of the glued area. Align and then push the laminate edge back against the particleboard. For a good bond, apply pressure with a smooth block of wood. Contact cement bonds instantly; if the wrong areas accidentally touch, you’ll have great difficulty pulling them apart. Slow and steady is the way to go here. It’s far better to take the extra few minutes to do the job correctly than to rush it and make the final product look sloppy.
Finally, rub away any dried glue around the edges with your finger, and you’re done. In just a few minutes, you’ve mastered laminate countertop repair.
