Revamping work tops with Formica

P

pcatterall

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 Aug 2004
Messages
5,521
Location
Home East Lancashire boat Spain
Visit site
We want to recover our tired work tops with something like Formica sheet glued over the original work tops. The boat is in Spain so we will have to ship the material out there.
I have made careful measurements and propose to buy the material here, cut it exactly to size and ship it out.
Is Formica still available? or is there a better similar product I should look at? and suggestions of where to obtain it would be welcome!
Worth mentioning that in the 'olden days' before these heavy 'post formed' worktops I built a few kitchens using Formica sheet glued to ply tops so I have a fair level of skill
with the materials/cutting gluing etc but any tips will be appreciated.
Many thanks guys
 
I've just spent the whole winter laminating! Bulkheads, worktops, cabin soles the lot. Formica is still around as are many other manufacturers of similar laminate GLam being one. I happen to be on the east coast so as some one else mentioned Ipswich Plastics are first class (speak to John in sales).
I am sure you are aware but it is very fragile so consider how you transport it. If you are cutting to size avoid angles, L shapes, whatever because they create a vulnerable hard spot. You just have to bite the bullet and cut a square to accommodate the final result. A palm router with a copy bit is the bees knees for finishing. Cut over size by 1-2mm or more
and trim / finish with the router and or a block sander to get rid of the rough edge from knife cutting.
I've done a lot this winter with the scars to prove it so PM me if you need any tips.
It is a great way to refurbish a boat because the preparation can be done off the boat and when applied the result is instant.
 
Good source for offcuts is a local worktop manufacturer. We have 2 locally in the Bournemouth area and suspect google will find you one local to you in the UK. They buy by the roll and often have bits left over that are big enough to do small jobs like yours. I got enough to do both sides of a hinged cover over the cooker, matching the original for a fiver. Buying retail by the sheet is expensive.
 
I'm North West based with boat on East Coast. Last year had galley re-fitted. I contacted Plastics and Veneers Ltd, 43, Forth Street, Liverpool, L20 8NL 0151-944 7150. They also have a branch in Brampton, Cumbria if that's nearer. They were really helpful but told me the sheets are 10' by 4 or 5' wide. The new Formica is much thinner than the old stuff and for me to transport a sheet to Essex was not on. So I contacted Ipswich Plastics (like many others here) and they delivered direct to the yard. If your interested, I chose a colour called "Thistle" and I think it looks good - I'll try to attach an after photo! Didn't work, it says file is too large. Andy
 
pcatterall said:
No! Lots of worktops bonded to thick chipboard but I require sheet formica to glue over the existing
Click to expand...

However, you may still find that there are local specialist worktop manufacturers in Spain. appreciate it might be a bit more of a challenge to find them.
 
I suppose you'll not have enormous sheets to carry on the plane if you cut to size in UK. I was initially imagining you with a 8' x 2' sheet to struggle with.
 
Wouldn't it be easier and a better job to take the whole surface off and replace it with one of the many alternatives on the market?
 
One can roll formica sheets & the like into rolls as small as 2ft diameter, if using care, but this tends to be the backing laminate. Most manufacturers make a thinner laminate with a single colour ( as opposed to patterns etc) which are just for balancing the main veneer. They are thinner & hence cheaper. The thickness of the colour membrane is much thinner & on some cheaper makes one can see the black base layer through the colour. This especially so on the very cheap whites which is not normally meant to be seen when installed.
I would imagine that postforming grades would not normally be available to the public & these can be rolled as well as they are designed to be rolled around sharp curves, generally under heat & pressure. they would be more expensive, I expect, but I have not purchased any for years.

if one is travelling up the A12 CF Anderson at marks Tey stock laminates .
 
petehb said:
Wouldn't it be easier and a better job to take the whole surface off and replace it with one of the many alternatives on the market?
Click to expand...

Not easier especially working on the side of the marina with no bench no facilities etc, Not any better I don't think, the sub base is good quality ply not cheap chipboard and I have glued plenty of formica in the past with satisfactory results. I prefer to do the cutting out here where I have facilities and just glue the sections down when next in Spain.
Some good 1mm Formica spotted on ebay, I have just requested a sample.
 
pcatterall said:
Not easier especially working on the side of the marina with no bench no facilities etc, Not any better I don't think, the sub base is good quality ply not cheap chipboard and I have glued plenty of formica in the past with satisfactory results. I prefer to do the cutting out here where I have facilities and just glue the sections down when next in Spain.
Some good 1mm Formica spotted on ebay, I have just requested a sample.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about some of the stuff this guy used, if you search through his videos you can see him replacing an entire work surface without recourse to workshop facilities just an small router and Jigsaw.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top