Laminate cabinets in kitchens are quite popular in a majority of homes across the country and has been so for many decades. Laminating is a cost-effective method of providing a great looking finish for cabinets. Although they look nice and durable, laminate cabinets become dull and faded over time. Depending on the extent of the damage, even a homeowner who is good with their hand may be able to fix the existing laminate or reface the cabinet door without having to replace the entire unit.
Today I am going to show you how to repair your laminate cabinet doors yourself something we did many times for our customers saving them a lot of money and hopefully you too..
Builder manager measuring in the kitchen
The thing is laminate is made of several plastic layers that cannot be easily painted. Hence, the only real option to repair a laminate cabinet door is to reface it by covering the door with new laminate or veneer. The project can be tackled by yourself using DIY methods. Here are the things you will need to tackle the project yourself:
• sandpaper,
• waterproof adhesive,
• utility or kitchen knife,
• masking tape,
• screwdriver or drill,
• cloth,
• measuring tape,
• self-sticking laminate,
• flammable grade glue solvent
The first step in repairing the cabinet door is to unscrew it from the hinges and remove the door. Move the door into a well-lit work-space for repairing it. Using a flammable grade glue solvent will help loosen the contact cement that holds the old laminate in place. The area should be well-ventilated without open flames nearby. Wear protective gloves before you spray the solvent to the exposed corner of the door. Use the utility knife between the laminate and the door to further loosen it.
Measure the area of the door that needs to be recovered. Make sure you cut the new laminate at least 1/2 inch wider and 1-2 inches longer than the actual door area. Now, sand the surface lightly and wipe clean with a damp cloth. This will remove any remaining grime and dust from the surface. Air dry the surface for a few minutes before affixing the new laminate onto the door. Peel the top edge of the new laminate cover and press the piece in place onto the cabinet. Make sure the laminate is lined up perfectly so that it covers the entire surface of the door. If you plan to install standard laminate, you need to ensure that contact cement is applied to the back of the laminate as well as the cabinet front for a better finish. Finally, use a laminate roller to set the entire surface. Trim any excess edges with a trim router once the adhesive is completely dry.
