Refinishing Laminated Surfaces

[Guest]

Has anyone refinished their cabinetry and laminated paneling? Mine is scratched, and I don't like the color so I'm going to re-do it, but before I start, I'd like to know what I can do to carefully remove the existing color and finish.

And, I'd like to know what product you've used to stain the laminate and seal it. A special request would be for products that don't put out toxic fumes, so I won't die in my sleep while camping or at least not wake up with a headache. Thank you for all of your suggestions.

[MH]

I had the same issue with the formica surfaces in my 1978 Westfalia. I removed every door and pulled off the rubber edges around the doors. I re-glued any lifting formica. Then I wiped everything with a good solvent (I used WellBond "liguid sandpaper"), sanded everything lightly and wiped with solvent again. Where I had gouges or missing formica I filled those areas with bondo and sanded them smooth with a palm sander. Then I brushed on one coat of "bonding primer". You can get it at any good paint store. It the primer they use to paint over fiberglass or plastic. When the primer was set, (it's still a little tacky), apply one or 2 coats of an oil based flat or semi gloss paint. When dry put the rubber door edges back on. If you let the rubber door edges sit in a bucket of hot water for a few minutes you can easily stretch it back to the right length to go all the way around the door. Use contact cement to glue the edges back on. Put the doors back on. My experience doing the formica in my bus prompted me to refinish the fake walnut cabinets in my kitchen. They came out great too. Good luck.

[Guest]

Thanks, MH, for your ideas. I haven't looked far enough into the future yet to think about the formica or edging, but I will now. Have you, or anyone else, used any type of wood stain, and if so, which brand gave you the best results? Any ideas on clear sealers or finishes? Thanks, again.