Formica

[BarryH]

The table on my leisure has a Formica veneer. Being 30 years old the shine has somewhat dulled. Whats the best way for me to get it back. I was thinking a cuttin/polishing compound. Do you think it will work or have you had this prolem and solved it in someway?

 

[charles_reed]

The table on my leisure has a Formica veneer. Being 30 years old the shine has somewhat dulled. Whats the best way for me to get it back. I was thinking a cuttin/polishing compound. Do you think it will work or have you had this prolem and solved it in someway?

No known compound (if it's been cleaned properly) will revive Formica. You could, of course, re-cover the table by taking off the old and putting on new, but I doubt it's worth the hassle.

 

[johnalison]

Sticky-backed plastic.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

A table cloth?

 

[BarryH]

Having a hunt around I found this http://www.formica.com/documents/FSS_Polishing_TB_01_28_10.pdf
The document says use 3M Finesse-it, which seems to be just a cutting compound. I've some Autoglym cutting polish, so I'll give that a go. Failing that I'll spray it with a clear 2 pack finish.

 

[vyv_cox]

Homebase sell Formica sheet in a useful size, 3ft x 2 ft IIRC. Otherwise it is almost certain that you would have to buy a full sheet, not a cheap item.

 

[earlybird]

Having a hunt around I found this http://www.formica.com/documents/FSS_Polishing_TB_01_28_10.pdf
The document says use 3M Finesse-it, which seems to be just a cutting compound. I've some Autoglym cutting polish, so I'll give that a go. Failing that I'll spray it with a clear 2 pack finish.

The link is for Formica Solid Surfacing, which I think is quite different from Formica Laminate. Polishing of the solid surfacing might be possible, but the printed pattern of laminate is easily abraded through AFAIK.

 

[pcatterall]

The table on my leisure has a Formica veneer. Being 30 years old the shine has somewhat dulled. Whats the best way for me to get it back. I was thinking a cuttin/polishing compound. Do you think it will work or have you had this prolem and solved it in someway?

I think that some sort of abrasive action could help but as always you would have to finish with a very fine grit. You could plan to recover it but try the polishing idea first ( perhaps just on a patch) there are formica equivalents which would just pop on using an impact adhesives.

 

[Davegriff]

Are you sure you want it all shiney and plastic looking? I hate the look of formica anyway, but our 30 year old tabletop has gone dull and I think it actually blends in with the teak fiddles and bulkhead better.

 

[BarryH]

Did it today. I used Autoglym haze remover. It removed all the scratches and left a nice sheen. Not shiney shiney, just a nice sheen. Then I used Autoglym Resin Polish. Came up a treat and looks well with the newly varnished fiddles. Only too me half an hour.

Now I need some coasters..........

 

[andrewbartlett]

Thanks for the thread. That has helped me with the formica in my boat. I did not want to remove it as I am somewhat, in fact more than somewhat, nostalgic for old things particularly pertaining to the 1950's.

 

[NickRobinson]

Thinking laterally but with personal experience-

My last boat, a Macwester, had a white melamine/formica type table top. Clean but not shiny.

It was perfect for passage planning, tides and lock gate openings and scoring for card games etc. with an HB pencil or a board marker.

Cleaned without evidence using cream cleaner. I miss it-

Nick