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How to repair a laminate benchtop

Person scraping putty into a gap.

Overview

If you're planning to resurface your laminate benchtop, it's important to make sure your surface is nice and flat. Water can often damage the chipboard underneath the laminate causing it to swell and develop unsightly bulges or splitting. This video shows you how to get rid of that damage and patch the laminate to look good as new.  

Steps

1Cut around the damaged area of the laminate

If you're planning to resurface your laminate benchtop, you need to make sure the surface is flat by removing any damaged or raised areas first. Start by marking out the damaged area with your marker and ruler. Make sure you have your safety gear on (gloves, mask, goggles, ear protection), then use your grinder to cut around the damaged section of laminate.
Person using a handsaw on a benchtop.

2Scrape off the damaged laminate and sand back the chipboard

Now use your paint scraper to get in under the damaged laminate and lift it off the chipboard. Once the laminate is removed, use a course-grain sand paper to flatten down the chipboard. Then give it a quick wipe with a cloth to get rid of any loose material.
Person using scraper to remove bit of benchtop that has been cut.

3Patch the hole with builder's bog

Mix up a batch of builder's bog on your mixing plate. When it's ready to use, it should be a light pink colour. Then apply it to the gap in your laminate with a wide-edge paint scraper. Make sure you spread it on thick. You'll be sanding this back to bench level, to make that job easier clean off any excess bog before it sets.
Person scraping putty into a gap.

4Scrape off the excess builder's bog and sand it back to be smooth and level

Once the bog is dry and had time to properly cure, use a chisel and scraper to gently remove any excess. Then roughly sand the bog back to bench level using 120-grit sandpaper. When it's level with the bench, use the finer-grade 240-grit sandpaper to smooth back the surface. Give it a light sweep with your dust brush and the bench surface is ready for painting.
Person sanding benchtop after using putty on it.
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.