There are a few options that will work to repair a burnt Formica plastic laminate countertop. All of these methods should be performed by a professional trained in working with Formica countertops.
Installation of a surface protector
This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to remove a burn mark from a plastic laminate countertop. There are many styles and sizes of cutting boards available. These accessories must be held in place from under the countertop. If the damaged area is above the dishwasher, you will need to hire a plumber to remove the appliance and reinstall it.
Steps to remove the burned area:
1) Locate the proper size cutting board insert
2) Mark the dimensions of the cutout on the Formica surface
3) Put masking tape over the marks.
4) Redraw the cut lines on the masking tape if necessary
5) Drill a hole for your jigsaw blade to fit through
6) Cut slowly along the line
7) Install Surface Saver following the instructions on the package
Have a custom butcher cutting board installed
An expert cabinetmaker can fabricate and install a custom-made butcher block cutting board. These are usually made with a lipped edge that will protrude from a hole that is cut in the countertop.
- Make a one-inch-thick cutting board that has a ¾” x ¼” rabbit-joint edge around it.
- Cut out the burned area of the Formica lid
- Add a bottom under the hole you cut so that it creates a ¾” recessed area for the cutting board to fit.
- Laminate inside of recessed areas with Formica.
- insert butcher block
When you’re done, the butcher block should be recessed into the countertop and protrude through the hole you cut in the countertop.
Reclaiming the countertop
This will be the most expensive option to repair a burnt laminate top. It is possible to cover burned laminate with new Formica. You may need to refresh all of your tops in your discontinued color.
paint your tops
There are kits on the market specifically designed for painting Formica countertops. You can cut away the burned laminate and fill the hole with a new board. You would then need to use automotive filler (Bondo) to fill in the area to be furred with laminate. These paint kits are usually available in granite patterns with various color selections to choose from. Fill and sand the area until it is perfectly flat and free of blemishes.
No matter how you look at it, repairing a burned area of a Formica countertop will cost at least $200 to $1500. Your cost will depend on the size of the top and the repair method you select. The only method I suggest you try is to paint the top. All other suggested repairs for burned Formica should be done by a professional cabinetmaker.