Repairing Scratches in Laminate Cabinets

Laminate cabinets are some of the most common fixtures in many kitchens, bathrooms, pantries and other parts of the home. Laminate material is durable, inexpensive, and easy to build. It stands up well to time and can take a variety of different damages without showing any sign whatsoever of wear and tear. However, when your laminate cabinets due become scratched or otherwise damaged, it's a good idea to keep in mind how you can best repair them before you begin your repair job. Going about this process in the right way will help you to ensure that you end up with a finished product that looks as good as new. Read on for a step by step guide on how to repair a scratch in a laminate cabinet.

Step 1 - Blend the Repair Paste to Match the Color

You may need to experiment with a couple of different types of laminate repair paste in order to find the one that will work best for your cabinet. Ensuring that you have a color that matches your laminate material perfectly is the first step toward having a clean and professional looking repair job for the scratch on your cabinet. If necessary, purchase multiple colors of paste and try mixing them together to get a hue that most closely matches that which you already have on your cabinet.

Step 2 - Apply the Paste

You'll now need to apply the paste to the cabinet itself. If necessary, remove the cabinet from the wall by using a screwdriver to unhinge it from the latches. Otherwise, if the scratch is small enough, you can work on the cabinet while it's still hanging in place. Scoop up a small amount of the paste that you've blended with your putty knife and layer it into the scratch. Use the putty knife to smooth out the repair paste so that there are no parts that bubble over the surface of the cabinet. Allow the paste to dry, using a hair dryer if necessary to help speed the process up.

Step 3 - Treat the Paste

Coat the paste with lemon oil and vinegar and brush it off after it has time to set in. This will help the repaired scratch to blend in with the new portion of the cabinet that surrounds it. If the scratch is larger, you can use contact cement and rubbing alcohol for the same purpose. If there is any excess paste that sticks out from above the level of the cabinet, use a toothpick to rub it off.

For more information, or to obtain any of these materials, you should plan to visit a hardware or home improvement store in your area.