A recent project called for a kitchen table make over.  The original wood grain laminate had become quite worn.  This trailer is being redone in a 50’s diner theme so after many internet searches and visits to cabinet shops it was decided to recover the original table with a retro “Boomerang” pattern from Formica Corporations Classic Series.  This was a common pattern used in the 50’s and Formica has brought it back in three colors; dark grey, aqua, and skylark blue.  For this project we chose skylark blue with 3/4” aluminum banding from our local wholesale cabinet supply house.

 

We called James Morris of Jerry Morris Construction Services, to help show us how it’s done.  It is a project that can be completed by most “do it yourselfers” with some basic tools.  Follow these steps for a great new look for less than $50.00.  Many other patterns can be found online from Formica and Wilson Art.

 

Step One:  Remove the table and set on sawhorse or any stable work surface.  Always use proper safety equipment including a mask and safety glasses.

 

Step Two:  Rough up the old laminate surface with a 4” hand grinder or finish sander with a 40 grit sand paper.  The complete surface needs to be dull so that the adhesive will have something to stick to.

 

Step Three:  Mark cut lines on the laminate about 2” larger than the four edges of the table.

 

Step Four:  Put masking tape over the cut lines to prevent the laminate from cracking during the cutting process.

 

Step Five:  Using a finish blade in a circular saw cut the laminate on marked lines.

 

Step Six:  Flip the laminate upside down and place on newspaper or cardboard to protect the surrounding areas from the spray adhesive.

 

Step Seven:  Spray the bottom side of the new laminate and the top of the original table top with a laminate adhesive such as 3M HiStrength 90 purchased at your local home improvement store.

 

Step Eight:  Place three small boards such as 1” X 2” on the table top to keep the two surfaces separated while they a carefully lined up.

 

Step Nine:  Remove the center 1” X 2 board and quickly press the center into place.  The two surfaces will adhere very quickly so make sure they are lined up correctly.  This is why we left an extra two inches on all four sides. 

 

Step Ten:  Remove one end board and press down, working from the center to the edge.  Remove the last 1” X 2” board and smooth out the remainder of the laminate.  Roll a rolling pin or heavy weight to work out any trapped air.  The laminate should be stuck in 10 to 15 minutes. 

 

Step Eleven:  Trim excess laminate from edges with a router.

 

Step Twelve: Trim metal edge to fit.  Have a friend hold one end while bending around corners.  Fasten with nails or screws depending on type of banding used.  

 

 

Scope of Work

Two Person Job

Approximately 2 Hours

 

Tools Needed:  Circular Saw

                          Masking Tape

                          Router

                          Saw Horses or table

 

 

Material List

                           Laminate 2” larger than each side of table

                           Spray Adhesive such as 3M HiStrength 90

                           Metal Table Banding or Metal Carpet Transition

 

 

 

 

 

Formica Corporation Laminates

www.formica.com

 

Metal banding and other cabinet supplies:

Walden’s Distributing

5704 Airport Freeway

Fort Worth, TX 76117-6096

(800) 772-2408

 

Special Thanks to:

James Morris of Jerry Morris Construction Services

Fort Worth, Texas

(817) 909-1564

 

 

Helpful Tip:  If you have problems finding metal table banding, metal carpet transition can be purchased from your local home improvement store.  If your table top will be used as a bed when folded down, the metal edging needs to be the same thickness as the table so that the bottom edge won’t get bent.  If it will only be used for a table then there are many more available options with thicker banding.

 

We also replaced the kitchen counter with the same matching Boomerang countertop that was premade at a local cabinet shop and ordered from the local home improvement store.