With a bit of practice, you can do a professional-looking job of laminating your kitchen counters. First, prepare the surface. Laminates need a perfectly smooth surface to adhere to, so if you've removed the old laminate, sand down any rough spots and fill holes with wood putty. If the surface is in really bad condition, you may have to replace it with plywood or particle board before applying the laminate. To cut straight edges, the simplest method is to score the laminate with a utility knife, then snap it off. You can also use a saber saw with a fine blade. You'll need the saber saw for curved corners or sink cutouts. Start with the top of the counter. Apply contact cement to both the laminate and the counter and let it dry. If there are any dull spots, use a second coat. It's dry enough when a piece of paper won't stick to it. Now, cover the countertop with brown kraft paper and position the laminate on top of it. Hold the laminate in place with one hand while you pull the paper out with the other. Be especially careful during this process; once the laminate is in place, it's almost impossible to remove. Once it's in place, use a rolling pin to force out any air bubbles. Use the same procedure to cover the edges, starting at one end and slowly pulling out the paper. If the counter has rounded corners, you'll need bendable laminate. Wear heatproof gloves and use a heat lamp or gun to soften the laminate as you wrap it around the corner. Once everything is in place, you'll need to finish the edges to create a professional-looking job. The best way is to use a router with a special laminate-finishing bit to smooth and round the edges.
