How do I rejuvenate Formica?

[Emmit]

Greetings All,

Our 'van has a Walnut type Formica on both the table and the area surrounding the kitchen.

My query is as per the title.

How does Formica react of using abrasives for the removal of 'starring' scratches. There are no scratches that are feelable to the fingernail but merely the type of reflection that one gets on paintwork which I would like to hopefully polish out.

Anyone had any success and if so, what was used.

Regards

 

[Gellyneck]

Don't use coarse abrasives on the surface as it's only a thin coating on a much thicker backing (generally a brownish colour).
Better giving it a good clean with warm soapy water, dry it off, rub in some wax to the scratches (automotive stuff can be used) and buff \ polish it off.

 

[two]

I'd decide that it was time to change the van.

 

[Terry]

Hi Formica is a very thin coating top surface ---as such nothing can be done to the surface

 

[Emmit]

I'd decide that it was time to change the van.

That's a bit drastic.
I haven't filled the ash trays up cos it's a 2007 'van.

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[Feltwell]

I used to sell the stuff. Formica - or High Pressure Laminate to be pedantic - is basically layers of paper, impregnated with resin. Tough stuff but you can't really re-finish it very well. You can try a bit of metal polish to take the sharp edges off any scratches and make them less visible, but go careful, go through the top layer and you've had it.

Next time you're darn sarf, try Stockmart Plastics in Portsmouth - he used to do a table refinishing surface for caravans - not spoken to him in years though. Looks he still does them from his website. Don't expect a posh shop, but they are a good bunch. http://www.stockmartplastics.co.uk/

 

[Mike n Kim]

As above it is multi layers of papers and resin and then pressed i.e HPL.

Large scatches are normally repaired with waxes etc.however multy scatches and dullness from wear/ tear and general abrasion cannot be eliminated, but if i remember correctly rubbing a small amount of baby oil on the surface helps with the appearance and to rejuvinates the shine.
Mike

 

[mike mcglynn]

Try some everyday cooking oil on a small area its what they used to use on the bar in my old local