---
title: "Laminate Countertop Renewal"
description: "Refinishing laminate countertops is easy. A small eight-ounce can of acrylic is enough to make 30 square feet of surfacing appear new again."
date: "2012-03-21"
modified: "2018-04-30"
authors:
  - name: "Joe Provey"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/joe-provey/"
url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/refinishing-laminate-countertops/"
categories:
  - "Countertops"
  - "DIY"
  - "Interior"
  - "Kitchen & Dining"
  - "Kitchen Remodeling"
tags:
  - "kitchen"
  - "refinish"
---

# Laminate Countertop Renewal

![JProvey-Laminate-Counter-Refinish](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/JProvey-Laminate-Counter-Refinish-Bob-Vila-2.jpg>)
*Lightly Sand Laminate Countertop Photo: JProvey*

Our laminate countertop looked fine, but the protective coating was pretty much gone. Coffee, tea, wine, juice, sauces, and egg yolk caused stubborn stains that required almost daily scrubbing. So when we decided to update the kitchen, it seemed like installing a new countertop was a no-brainer. “Think of the annual savings in Soft-Scrub,” said my wife.

But that was before we priced a new countertop—$1,400. For that much, we could buy a new refrigerator and dishwasher! Plus, I'd heard horror stories about countertop removal sometimes damaging the base cabinets beneath the counter (not to mention the tile backsplash, a feature of our kitchen we were determined to preserve).

So instead of replacing it, I decided to try my hand at re-coating the plastic laminate. Several experiments on scrap material later, I settled upon a non-yellowing, clear acrylic. A small eight-ounce can of Polycrylic by Minwax (which you can [buy on Amazon](<https://amzn.to/2HE7is3>)) was enough to make my 30 square feet of countertop appear new again.

Here’s how:

### STEP 1

Using a very fine 320-grit abrasive, sand the entire countertop and wipe it clean. Be sure that you’ve removed all stains and sanding dust.

### STEP 2

![JProvey-Laminate-Counter-Refinish-](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/JProvey-Laminate-Counter-Refinish-BobVila-3.jpg>)
*Photo: JProvey*

Apply a thin coat of the protective finish to the countertop using a lint-free, soft cotton rag. Cover only one two-foot section at a time, because the finish dries quickly. Immediately after application, smooth application marks with long parallel strokes using the finish-dampened rag.

### STEP 3

![JProvey-Laminate-Counter-Refinish-Repeat-Polyurethane Application](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/JProvey-Laminate-Counter-Refinish-Bob-Vila-4.jpg>)
*Photo: JProvey*

Move on to the next section. Minimize lapping as much as possible. Allow two hours of drying before re-coating again (using the same technique described above). The second coat will help eliminate any lap marks.

Clear coats like Minwax Polycrylic are available in several sheens. I chose clear satin; the application marks are less visible than with semi- or high-gloss.

It has been six months since my first application of the protective finish, and there have been no problems with peeling or discoloration. Best of all, spills wipe up easily with a sponge—without leaving any stains behind.

## Author
Joe Provey is an expert on all things home and garden. His work has appeared in many national magazines, including [Popular Mechanics](<http://www.popularmechanics.com/>), [House Beautiful](<http://www.housebeautiful.com/>), [Better Homes & Gardens](<http://www.bhg.com/>), and [Fine Homebuilding](<http://www.finehomebuilding.com/>). Mr. Provey has also written more than dozen books, including [*Convert Your Home to Solar Energy*](<https://www.amazon.com/Convert-Your-Home-Solar-Energy/dp/1600852521?tag=bv-untagged-20>) and [*1001 Ideas for Kitchen Organization*](<https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Kitchen-Organization-Creative-Homeowner/dp/B0036DE4B4/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1534346633&sr=1-2&tag=bv-untagged-20>)*.* Other titles include *Outdoor Kitchens, Easy Closets, Green-up Your Cleanup, and Design Ideas for Flooring.* Currently, Mr. Provey serves as the president of Home & Garden Editorial Services (HGES), a company that produces books for publishers in the home and garden category. In the past, he has been chief editor to several national home improvement magazines, including [The Family Handyman](<http://www.familyhandyman.com/>), Mechanix Illustrated, and Practical Homeowner. Joe lives in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with his wife MaryAnn, where they have seven children and four grandchildren between them.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-provey-08121aa/>)