Hoping you crafty folks at AT might be able to help me with a project. After looking for months, I recently found a fabulous red 1950s diner table on Craig's List that I could actually afford (see attached picture), and from another Craig's Lister I ended up being given four free vintage chrome and red diner chairs that match it quite well. When I bought the table the top was in very good condition, especially considering its age. It was nearly perfect. What a find! Until... the drive home...
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: newyork(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Crayola Crayons will help fill in the scratch, and colored markers can help draw in the designs on the wax...
...but nothing is going to make a perfect except for a complete relamination of new formica on that tabletop.
This is a cautionary tale for folks: When picking up a Craigslist/Flea Market/Garage Sale item - Bring Blankets!
view bepsf's profile
It's hard to offer advice without seeing the scratch. Offhand, I'd suggest you buy some plastic polish at your hardware store-- I've had good luck with a product called "Flitz" (plastic polish). Good luck--
view shirley-temple-of-doom's profile
Thanks. I'll try the plastic polish first, before crayons (I have a feeling that would make it worse). I should have brought blankets - I just didn't think of it until too late. Now I'm really kicking myself...
Now, does anyone know how to re-laminate a tabletop, if I have to resort to that?
view jplee's profile
Also: forgot to mention: those two chairs in the picture are for sale. The guy wouldn't sell me the table without the chairs, so I had to spend significantly more money for the set than I'd hoped (since I have chairs already). I'm selling the pair for $100. Similar chairs go for twice that as a pair. If anyone's interested in buying these two chairs and can pick them up from Brooklyn, then check out my ad in the AT NY classifieds.
But mostly, I'm just hoping for guidance on how to fix the scratch. I'll let you know how the "Flitz" plastic polish works. Thanks!
view jplee's profile
Re-laminating entails what you might guess: purchasing a sheet of laminate in the exact same shade... removing the old... cutting the new laminate to exactly the same size (curved corners included)... then attaching the new top with the appropriate adhesive.
Not recommended for someone who describes them self as "not particularly crafty".
view shirley-temple-of-doom's profile
BTW - Pottery Barn (of all places) has a video on their website of how to deal with scratches in wood furniture.
Just change the colors of wax, etc to deal w/ your laminate scratches - and use trivets & placemats to keep the wax from melting to the bottom of hot pots & plates
view bepsf's profile
Lamainate companies sell a product that is like a tube of paste that is used for fixing scratches and cracked / missing laminate. It comes in color matched tubes, and works surprisingly well. I would call Lowe's, Home Depot or your local cabinet shop.
view lscceo's profile
Worst-case scenario: buy some vintage tea towels to use as a scratch-covering runner.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
Hmmm it is red, you could try and match it to a nail polish. Thin layers applied should cover as well as fill. IF you can find the right color.
view marid22's profile