Laminate Over Laminate

dayspring

I've never heard of anyone doing this before. Had a client want me to install new laminate on his tops (Kitchen counter). They said their son-in-law was a cabinet man and had already done it on the island two years ago. I've installed plenty of laminate but never like this. He said that he scuffed the old laminate with 60 grit and just glued and trimmed as usual.

Anyone had experience with this? How did it hold up?

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send_it_all

I have heard of it being done...never did it myself. I would prefer to take off old laminate using laquer thinner. If they aren't willing to pay for the time, o over the whole thing with 40 or 60 in the belt sander to get as much sheen off as possible. I wouldn't warranty this method...I would just do the best I could and they're on their own.

Bill

Thats right, just another HO looking to get something done as cheep as possible. No warrentee if you do it as they want. Put it in writing so if it fails you are covered

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dayspring

Absolutely no warranty, I told them that from the get go.

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Tom R

Sounds like at least enough to make you wonder why the Son-in-Law doesn't want to do the job . . .

Anyway, - - I'm like send_it_all on this one, - - heard of it, - - but never tried it myself. (And wouldn't).

Tmrrptr

Ok, I'll bite... why not?

If the old laminate is clean, the surface is flat, and new adhesive will stick to it, why not?

Why would you warrant the first layer from lifting?
That's their baby... and you might want that in writing.
r

Bummie

I have done it.... lots!! As long as the original layer is stuck down tight... there is no problem. Just scuff with 60 grit on your belt sander and you are good to go.

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dayspring

LOL.
How are ya Tom?

Son in law lives in Florida. He done the island on a visit. This top will have to be removed from the cabinet.

Not too sure I want to do it myself.

Sure seems as if I'm getting alot of wierd job request and clients lately.

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dayspring

No call backs?

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nywoodwizard

It can be done ,its just not recommended.I worked for a cabinet shop many years ago and we have done a few ,but didn't offer a guarantee.It just sticks better to wood as opposed to laminate.i guess for those who cannot afford new don't have a choice. I have chemically peeled laminate tops with laquer thinners and resurfaced them,used a scraper and removed most the old glue before it dries,its too tough trying to sand it all down.May seem strange but its probably a better choice.Must be done outdoors! No smoking!

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Bummie

Not a one!!

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Tom R

Doin' good, day, thanks, - - it's not so much I don't believe it could work, - - it's just a matter of the people not wanting to spend any money.

Once you agree to go lamo-o-lamo 'cuz they're so lame-o-o-lame-o, - - they might just just get another money-saving brainstorm and turn around and ask you to just paint the original layer instead, - - and maybe even sprinkle some sparkle in there

RizzoMaryland

Sounds to me that you need to use the influence of your "expertise" to sell them on the right way to do the job instead of trying to save a $. I don't know what laminate tops go for in your area or if there is a sink involved but it would be much quicker (less man hours charged to HO), better quality, and last longer if the whole top was replaced.

Assuming no sink involved, you could fabricate a laminate top and install in (1) day for a few hundred dollars. How much money are they actually saving by doing it this way considering how many hours you will invest in prepping and relaminating the top in place?

Unless I'm starving or a repeat customer I walk from these types of jobs.

Roger Manning

I'm with Rizzo on this.
If you have to take the top off why not make a whole new top, I think that would be faster. Make the top in the shop and go to the job and swap them out.

dayspring

I agree but, SON IN LAW said, done, ect, ect. I'll probaly let this one pass just to protect my hard earned good name around here. It's a small town anyway.

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skymaster

Day: Per Bummie , been there,done that, got the damn T shirt. Unless it is a very complicated top to copy than easier to make a new one, take it to job pop the old and install new. That said, yes, belt sander 60 grit all gloss gone, wipe with lam cleaner, PREFIT to splash, glue it. IF at all possible pull splash off, do each part seperately then reinstall splash
Jack

Paul A.

Although I don't get any calls for it anymore, I've done lots of it, even commercial. For post formed tops, it's definitely faster than removing old tops, cutting new substrate, installing it, then laminating. Maybe not as fast if you're doing pre-formed though. Many moons ago I worked for a trade show exhibit company where almost everything was laminate; counters, walls, cabinets, doors, etc. After a couple of years, the exhibits were banged up pretty good and needed repair, or the exhibitors wanted to remodel their booth. Most of the time we simply installed new laminate over the old and they were good to go.

Paul