1960s laminate with a built-in backsplash
Original 1960s laminate is a good candidate when it's solid. We coat the top and the integral splash together.
Serving Mount Prospect & nearby Des Plaines, Arlington Heights
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Mount Prospect, IL
Laminate, cultured marble and tile counters in Mount Prospect resurfaced with a new stone-look or solid-color coating, no tear-out.
- Crews working in Mount Prospect ZIP 60056, 60005
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Countertop surfaces we resurface in Mount Prospect
Resurfacing is a coating, not a new countertop, and it works best on tops that are flat, dry and well attached. Our Mount Prospect techs check that first, fix chips and loose edges, then apply a multi-coat system you can choose in a speckled granite look or a plain color.
A previous paint job that is peeling
Counter paint from a DIY kit often peels at the sink and edges. We strip the loose coating and apply a proper bonded system.
Formica in a color you are tired of
When the laminate is in good shape but the color dates the room, resurfacing changes it in a couple of days without new tops.
Laminate worn dull or through the pattern
Worn-through patches and a faded surface are cosmetic. As long as the board is sound, a resurfacing system covers them.
Dated cultured marble tops
If the molded top is sound but the color is wrong, we sand, prime and refinish it in a solid or speckled look.
A kitchen you plan to sell soon
Before listing, a resurfaced counter is a short project that removes one dated feature buyers notice.
Scratches, knife marks and stains
Stains that bleach won't touch and a web of cutting marks are covered after prep, leaving a smooth, uniform surface.
Counters in a rental unit
In a rental, a refinished counter turns around quickly and the cabinets and plumbing stay untouched.
What we do on the job
- Inspection for water damageWe press, tap and look along the sink and seams to confirm the base will hold a finish.
- Masking and ventilationWe tape off and cover everything around the counters and set up airflow for the coatings.
- Deep cleaning and degreasingGrease, soap and silicone residue are removed so primer can grip the surface.
- RepairsChips filled, edges reglued, loose tiles reset and grout joints leveled.
- Sanding and primingThe surface is scuffed for adhesion and primed with a bonding primer.
- Clear topcoatThe final clear layer protects the finish and sets how shiny the counter looks.
- RecaulkingFresh caulk at the backsplash and around the sink once the finish is dry.
Options to choose from
Laminate (Formica)The most common base; it coats well when the particleboard underneath is dry and flat.
Resurfacing vs. replacingCoat what is solid and you like the shape of; replace what is swollen, cracked or the wrong layout.
Ceramic tileTile counters can be coated over once grout lines are filled and loose tiles fixed.
Cultured marbleMolded marble-look surfaces that can be refinished in place.
Solid colorsA single uniform color, often paired with a satin topcoat.
What the work looks like in Mount Prospect homes
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Mount Prospect
This one is a 1960s ranch in Mount Prospect. The kitchen as it was: laminate with an aluminum edge band. The reason for the call: tired, stained laminate. Finished kitchen: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. Work included deep cleaning and degreasing, clear topcoat, plus recaulking.
Before
AfterCountertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in a 1950s ranch, Des Plaines
The site: a 1950s ranch in Des Plaines. What we started with: light beige laminate. The main complaint was laminate worn through near the sink. Finished kitchen: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. The job covered deep cleaning and degreasing, repairs, plus sanding and priming.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterAn Arlington Heights postwar Cape Cod: before and after
The site: a postwar Cape Cod in Arlington Heights. Before: speckled laminate. The main complaint was tired, stained laminate. The result: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. The job covered deep cleaning and degreasing, clear topcoat, plus recaulking.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Mount Prospect
Finished: white quartz with soft gray veining countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterA Mount Prospect postwar Cape Cod: before and after
Finished: cabinets in white uppers and dusty blue lowers with matte black pulls, bright white quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Mount Prospect →How the job goes
- Photos and a quick checkSend pictures of the counters and the sink area; we look for signs of water damage first.
- Color and finish choicePick a stone-look or solid color from samples, plus satin or gloss.
- Prep and coatingWe prepare the tops and build the coating system in stages.
- Cure, then back to useKeep the counters gentle for the cure period we give you, then use them normally.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing questions from Mount Prospect homeowners
Can Formica countertops be resurfaced?
Laminate is an ideal base for resurfacing once it's degreased, scuffed and primed.
What does countertop resurfacing cost?
It depends on the square footage, the base material, how much repair is needed and the finish you choose. We give a written, itemized estimate after the visit.
Do you refinish bathroom vanity tops?
Yes. Laminate and cultured marble vanities take the same coatings, and they are often done in the same visit as the kitchen.
How soon can I use the counters?
Usually light use within a day or so, with full hardness taking longer. We give you the exact times for the product we use.
Can I cut on or set hot pans on a refinished counter?
A resurfaced top isn't made for heavy cutting or hot cookware. Treat it like a finished surface, not a work block.
Do I need a Mount Prospect-registered contractor for countertop resurfacing?
A Contractor's License is required for general contractors (and listed trades); $200, valid one year, applied for through the online portal. We take care of that before work starts.
Can you do countertop resurfacing in a Mount Prospect condo?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Do I need a permit for countertop resurfacing in Mount Prospect?
It depends on the scope. Mount Prospect's rule in short: Kitchen remodels need a permit and a code review (about 10 business days). We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services.
Do you work in my part of Mount Prospect?
Yes. Our crews work across Mount Prospect — ZIP 60056, 60005 — and nearby Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village.
Working in Mount Prospect
- A lot of Mount Prospect kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- We know how Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60056ZIP 60005
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing nearby
Other kitchen services in Mount Prospect
Countertop RepairChips, cracks, seams and burns fixed without replacing the top.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Stone Countertop RestorationEtches, stains and dull spots taken out, then the stone resealed.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.