Proper Procedure Of Hiding Seams In Laminate Countertop
Laminate countertops are usually composed of 12-foot lengths. So, if you have a longer countertop, then it is important to add another section, which creates a seam. Seams can also happen in corners where two sections of countertop join in order to produce an L shape. Laminate countertops are regarded as one of the best options if you are looking for something with low cost as well as low maintenance. The surface of the laminate is impenetrable & waterproof, as a result of which it does not harbor bacteria. However, they are famous or well known for seams. In order to hide the seams in laminate countertops, the best way is to fill them. There are several types of seam fillers from which you can select the seam of your choice. Selecting a color to match your laminate will create a perfect finish, which makes the seams disappear.
Things You Will Need
- The Seam Filler Of Your Choice
- Coloring
- A Putty Knife
- A Clean Rag
- Acetone
- A Plastic Plate
- A Soft-Bristled Cleaning Brush
Step 1: Preparing The Seam
First of all, you have to prepare the seams in order to make sure that the crumbs and dirt are out of the seam. Take a soft brush & brush through the seam to get any dust or dirt out. Next, with the help of your putty knife, get rid of unwanted things that were unable to get rid of with the brush. Now, take the brush again and remove the debris from the countertop. After that, you can clean the seams with the help of acetone and a rag. Put the acetone onto your cloth, and then clean the seams. Cleaning the seams using acetone will help you get rid of the dirt while helping the putty to bond.
Step 2: Preparing Your Seam Filler
Now your countertop is ready, it is time to prepare the seam filler. In order to prepare the seam filler, you will need a plastic plate or surface to mix the filler. Put down some of the putties onto the surface before mixing it with the colors needed to match your laminate. If in case your countertops are having many colors, then the best option is to test the colors, which can be done by mixing the correct ones. While doing this, make an attempt to match the shade of your counters. In the case of marble laminate, you can purchase a marble sealer in order to match.
Step 3: Filling The Seams
Take the edge of your putty knife and put together some mixed sealer onto it. Then, apply the filler by pulling it across the seam, not along. Pulling it across the seam will help to catch the filler in the right places. Be careful, though, as the sealer will become or make smaller in size or amount, as it dries. You may need to apply numerous filler coats in order to fill the gaps. After filling your seals, the putty should level off at the top. Take care to go through each seal as well as level the top before it dries.
Step 4: Scraping Your Seams
Finally, after filling the seams of your laminate countertop, it is time to scrape them, which can be done along the line. Your putty knife should be parallel to the plane of the horizon and level against your laminate. Pull the edge of your knife along the path in order to level the filler. After you finish leveling the filler, clean the seams again. First, take your brush and get rid of the dried filler from the laminate. Then, apply some more acetone to your rag before cleaning around the seams.