- 1). Scuff the surface of the countertop with your palm sander to remove any gloss or dirt. Get it dull and flat. Clean up the dust.
- 2). Measure each span of the countertop. Transfer the measurements to your sheets of laminate, adding an inch all around. Use your jigsaw to cut out the pieces.
- 3). Lay the cut-out laminate pieces face-down and brush contact cement over the back of them. Brush cement onto the countertop surfaces as well. Let the cement dry to the touch, about 15 minutes. (Note: The cement won't feel sticky to the touch, but it will bond instantly to any other surface that has cement on it.)
- 4). Hold the laminate piece for the front edge of the countertop in front of the area where it will go. Get the piece positioned correctly (with the 1-inch overhang all around) before letting any part of it touch, then press it to the countertop all at once. Run the laminate roller over the surface to affix it.
- 5). Run your router along the edge of the countertop to trim off the overhanging laminate.
- 6). Set dowel rods on the surface of the countertop about every foot, facing front to back. Set the large main top piece of laminate over the rods and get it in position. When it's right, pull the rods out one by one and press the laminate down to the surface. Roll it out with your laminate roller.
- 7). Trim the overhanging edges off with your router.
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