Skip to Content

Can You Epoxy Over Laminate Countertops?

All of us want our countertops to look as nice as possible. Is epoxy a good choice if you already have laminate countertops in place?

Epoxy is an excellent choice to make laminate countertops look new again. Epoxy is relatively inexpensive, easy to work with, and comes in a wide variety of options. Within a short amount of time, you can bring back the beauty of your countertops and keep them beautiful for many years to come with epoxy.

Kitchen table with laminate countertops

The main reason why people choose epoxy for laminate countertops is that the old finish has become worn. Laminate does look pretty when you first put it down but it is not the most long-lasting finish, especially for everyday use.

Epoxy coatings, on the other hand, are extremely durable and can last for many years, even under harsh use. Not only that, they can bring back the beauty of a laminate countertop that has disappeared because it is scratched and faded.

Of course, you don’t have to wait until your laminate countertop is completely destroyed before you decide to bring back some luster again. Epoxy can be put over even a brand-new laminate countertop, as it adds strength and durability to the finish.

As long as you prepare things properly and ensure that everything is set up and ready to go, it is a DIY project that most homeowners can handle. Regardless of whether it is a large countertop or a small one, it is something that will generally go smoothly.

Can You Put Epoxy Over Laminate Countertops?

There is more to doing a DIY project than simply digging in and getting started. You also need to know if it is going to work as expected.

Putting epoxy over a laminate countertop makes an excellent project with great results. Laminate tends to be a countertop that wears down quickly and can lose its sheen. Some epoxy over laminate will not only help it shine again, it will also provide a durable surface that you can use every day.

Perhaps something to think about is why you are using a laminate countertop in the first place. The majority of people who use laminate do so because it is a low-cost and low-maintenance way to have a countertop at their home.

Most of us realize that more expensive countertops, such as stone and other solid surface options are out of the reach of many homeowners. That doesn’t mean, however, that they want to settle for a countertop that is less than ideal when it comes to the beauty it adds to the kitchen area.

Laminate is also popular because there are many different options when it comes to design, color, and other visual options. After the finish begins to wear off and some of the wear and tear begins to show up, it’s time to consider either tearing off the countertop or putting epoxy over it.

Many homeowners choose to use epoxy over a laminate countertop because it is an easy and cost-effective way to bring some beauty back to the home again. In many cases, you can have the job done in a matter of hours.

That isn’t to say that you can begin using the countertop on the same day that you put epoxy over laminate. Far from it! It is important to give the epoxy time to completely cure so that it will have that durability that we all need when it comes to using countertops in the kitchen.

You also like knowing that any countertop in the home, including those that are in the bathroom can easily be upgraded with the use of epoxy. Rather than dealing with a countertop you are quite unhappy with, you can put some epoxy over it and love the way that it looks again.

The long and short of it is that it is not only possible to put epoxy over a laminate countertop, but it is also preferable in many cases. That being said, it’s still a good idea to consider both the good and the bad so that you can make a wise decision for your DIY project.

Should You Put Epoxy Over Laminate Countertops? Reasons Why Not And Why Yes

Painting the kitchen

Epoxy can easily be put over almost any type of material. It’s a great way to dress up an inexpensive countertop and to create the exact look that you want for your home.

The primary advantage of using epoxy over laminate countertops is the fact that it makes it beautiful easily and inexpensively. Once the countertop begins to wear down and the finish comes off, a coat of epoxy will bring it back to that like-new condition again.

Of course, along with the fact that there are definite pros to using epoxy over laminate, there are also some reasons why you may want to shy away from it. Below, we will consider both the pros and the cons of using epoxy over laminate.

Pros:

Before we look at some of the negative aspects, which are few and far between, we will consider the primary reasons why people choose epoxy in the first place.

Price – Although there are many things to consider when upgrading the home, price is always going to be an important consideration. Epoxy is relatively inexpensive and most homeowners are able to take care of the work on their own, further reducing the cost by cutting back on labor expenses.

Durability – When it comes to our countertops, they are something that we use on an everyday basis. Epoxy adds excellent durability for even harsh use on a daily basis. Of course, you can’t abuse it but you can certainly use it.

Beauty – Regardless of whether you are putting epoxy over laminate or not, it can certainly add a lot of shine in beauty to the surface. There are also many options available that can help you dress up the laminate while you are also protecting it.

Installation – Another reason why epoxy is so popular is that it is easy for most homeowners to install. It can be done quickly and without a lot of manpower.

Cons:

There are also some negative factors to consider in the use of epoxy as well. Many of these are not specific to laminate, but they can be a problem when laminate is involved as well.

Fumes – If you are putting epoxy over laminate in an enclosed area, the fumes can quickly get overwhelming. It is always best to have a ventilated area where you are working with epoxy.

It can especially be difficult for anyone with respiratory problems, such as asthma or COPD. The good news is, the fumes disappear when the epoxy has fully cured.

Bubbles – There are times when bubbles may appear in the epoxy. It’s a difficult issue and it can ruin the finish if you’re not careful.

Many homeowners have found that using a hairdryer will force the bubbles to come to the surface and they can be handled at that point.

How To Put Epoxy Over Laminate Countertops

Cleaning the kitchen

Putting epoxy over laminate countertops is a relatively straightforward process. It is still important to consider the process so everything goes smoothly.

The most important factor for successfully putting epoxy over laminate is preparing the surface ahead of time. This would include cleaning the surface to remove any grease or dirt and then sanding it with 80 grit sandpaper. Unless you prepare the surface properly, the new finish will not likely adhere to the surface.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 15, 2021.

There may still be some shine left on those old laminate countertops but before you are ready to put epoxy down, the shine has to be gone. The same is also true with any dirt or grease that has built up over the course of time.

The first step in the process is to thoroughly clean the countertops. This can be done with soap and water as well as using a degreaser to remove the old oily substances from the surface.

After the surface has dried, you can use some sandpaper to rough up the surface and prepare it to adhere to the epoxy finish. Make sure that you wear a respirator so that the dust doesn’t get into your lungs.

Epoxy typically comes in two parts that must be mixed together according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You will then have a limited amount of time to work with the epoxy before it dries.

The first layer of epoxy is poured onto the counter and smoothed across the surface. You can work with it to a certain extent to help it be as smooth as possible. You may also need to work on any designs that are associated with it.

After allowing the first coat to cure for at least 24 hours, you can put down the second coat. This is the top coat that will seal everything in and ensure that you have a bright, beautiful finish.

What Tools And Preparation Are Needed?

tools for laminate countertops

Preparation is the key to success with many household projects. This is also true when putting epoxy on a laminate countertop.

Without preparing the old countertop properly, you are likely to end up with a disappointing project. It must be cleaned and sanded properly for the epoxy to adhere to it. This would include removing all grease and grime from the counter and sanding it with sandpaper.

As you are sanding the old laminate countertop, you will likely notice that it is looking worse and worse in the process. Don’t be concerned, those little scratches that are taking away the old finish will allow the new finish to stay in place.

You should also have the following items on hand ahead of time:

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 15, 2021.

  • Stir Sticks
  • Small Buckets
  • Large Buckets
  • Trashbags
  • Rags
  • Squeegees
  • Roller Brushes
  • Hairdryer (For Bubbles)
  • Painters Tape
  • Paper
  • 80-Grit Sandpaper
  • Respirator
  • Safety Glasses/Goggles

Putting epoxy over a laminate countertop is an excellent way to beautify the home. It provides a durable, long-lasting finish that will bring the old beauty back to the countertop that may have disappeared.

Related Articles

Can You Epoxy Over Tile Floor/Countertops?

Can You Epoxy Over Laminate Floors?

Can You Epoxy Over Linoleum?

Can You Epoxy Over Vinyl Floors?

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 15, 2021.

Can You Put Epoxy Over Concrete?