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How to Laminate Rounded Corners

Many countertops have rounded edges and corners to make them safer: You're more likely to hurt yourself tripping and catching yourself on a sharp corner than you are on a rounded corner. While it may seem that laminating a counter with rounded corners is more difficult than working with 90-degree angled corners, there's very little difference between the procedures. The only difference is how you'll move the router when adding the finishing touches to the laminated countertop.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Circular saw
  • Medium-grade sandpaper
  • Contact cement
  • Wooden dowels
  • J-roller
  • Router
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the length and width of the countertop with measuring tape, then add 1 to 2 inches to both measurements. Cut the laminate down to these dimensions with a circular saw.

    • 2

      Sand down the top of the countertop with medium-grade sandpaper, around 100-grit or so. Wipe away the dust with a damp cloth.

    • 3

      Coat the laminate and the countertop with contact cement. Lay wooden dowels across the top of the counter every 8 to 12 inches.

    • 4

      Lay the laminate over the dowels and remove them one at a time, slowly lowering the laminate onto the countertop. Check that the edges are all lined up as you work.

    • 5

      Press the laminate down onto the countertop once all of the dowels are removed. Roll over it with a J-roller -- a rubber rolling tool designed for use on laminate -- to press out air.

    • 6

      Wipe away any excess contact cement with a cloth soaked in solvent, such as mineral spirits or lacquer thinner. Trim down the edges of the countertop with a router -- take extra care with the rounded corners. Gently guide the router along the line of the counter to grind the edges down so the laminate and counter are flush.