countertop burn marks

[countryjoe]

My in-laws are getting ready to sell their house and there are a couple of burn marks in their countertop. What would be the best means of fixing this at a low cost? It is a laminate counter and all burn marks are in one location that is probably 12" by 12" or so. Should we just replace the whole thing or could we just relaminate it. Let me know your suggestions. Thanks

Sean

[TDHofstetter]

You CAN lay another layer of laminate over the existing laminate. It takes some doing to get the backspash edge lined up just right when you lay it down, but it works. You only get one shot at it, so quite a lot of care is called for. If it's rolled up the backspash and down over the front, it's NASTY to do in place, though. Ain't super-easy to do even when it's in the shop - it takes quick work with a means of heating the whole length all at once to get it to make those rolls.

If it's all square-edged, the toughest part of the job is trimming the laminate while it's in place - especially for spots like the top of the backspash, where you can't get in with a router. The bottom of the front edge, too.

I say... if it's got rolled edges, replace the whole countertop (or better yet, let the BUYERS replace the countertop with a color of their choice).

[cabinetman]

If the countertop has the rolled front edge and rolled up formed back splash, it cannot be laminated on site or in most all shops unless that shop has postforming machinery.

If the top has a squared off front edge and a loose (applied) backsplash, it can be relaminated on site. If that top is contiguous with the sink, the sink would have to be removed.

If the burn mark is located at an area that could use a cutting board, this installable on site board can go where the burn mark was: woodworker.com/almond-surface-saver-15x12-mssu-103-829.asp?search=surface%20saver&searchmode=2.

[lockman]

I agree with Tim. Take a little less and let the new owners choose what they want. I would never replace a counter top or flooring, who knows the new owners may not like what I like that's is my thought.

[sawduster]

I like the idea of a cutting board insert or just giving the new buyers an allowance for replacing the counter top.

I think you might also have problems matching the laminate to any other counter tops in the kitchen, so if you go that route it'll stand out like a sore thumb and folks will find that to be a negative when deciding whether to buy the house or not unless you replace all of the counter tops. And you still have the issue of folks not liking the color etc you chose.

With an allowance for replacing the counter tops with the same sort of surface, folks could upgrade out of their own pocket to one of the solid surface counter tops that are so popular today.

[countryjoe]

There are a lot of good ideas here. The carpet is going to get replaced anyways as it is in bad shape. The area that is burned is next to the stove and there is no sink near it. The cutting board idea is good and I can run that past them and also discuss with the prospective buyers about that option. I'll try to get over there this afternoon to do some measuring to see what exactly we have and I can't remember if the edges are rounded over or not. Thanks

Sean

[Joe Lyddon]

Dec 1, 2009 11:58:32 GMT -6 cabinetman said:

If the countertop has the rolled front edge and rolled up formed back splash, it cannot be laminated on site or in most all shops unless that shop has postforming machinery.

If the top has a squared off front edge and a loose (applied) backsplash, it can be relaminated on site. If that top is contiguous with the sink, the sink would have to be removed.

If the burn mark is located at an area that could use a cutting board, this installable on site board can go where the burn mark was: woodworker.com/almond-surface-saver-15x12-mssu-103-829.asp?search=surface%20saver&searchmode=2.

I like this solution... Adds a touch of Class also... ;D ;D

[Joe Lyddon]

A sink doesn't have to be near it...

Most of what I cut goes into a bowl or directly into a pan... everything eventually ends up in a pot, pan, or skillet on the stove...

I think it would work out very well...