Kitchen Countertop
Video # 22
Airstream Kitchen Countertop Replacement
This segment of Classic Rides shows its host Kevin Tetz, continuing with the restoration of the 1970 Airstream Overland Yacht Trailer. The kitchen countertops, according to Kevin, were in really sad shape. So he decides to replace them completely.
Kevin starts by creating a cardboard template for the new counter top. He also made cut outs on the cardboard template for the new appliances that he planned to install into the trailer's kitchen.
He also cut out a groove on the edge of the counter top, so that he could install a molding in place. He chose a cute fifties style soda shop molding, which will be held into place with a serrated edge. He also attached a piece of wood on the template, to make out the thickness of the molding.
He chose to cover the counter top with a plastic laminate. This new counter top cover is durable, stain resistant, and it comes with an amazing variety of colors and textures to choose from. His final choice was red ebony boomerang pattern laminate.
There are a lot of tools with which you can cut out laminate with, like hand shears, rotary shears or electric shears. Kevin uses electric shears, just as he did on the other furniture, because it is the tool that gives the cleanest cut. He cuts on the backside of the sheet because the electric shears can leave a mark on the laminate. He recommends leaving a quarter of an inch of excess when cutting from the template, because the laminate can still be trimmed later on.
He applies contact cement with a roller on the backside of the countertop. The key is to apply the contact cement on both the countertop and the laminate surfaces. He installed some rollers on the countertop so that the laminate does not immediately stick to the countertop. He starts pulling the rods out when he is sure that the countertop and the laminate are aligned.
He applies a roller on the entire countertop to even it out. He uses a laminate trimmer to trim the laminate top. He applies the metal trim with a mallet. He advises us to take our time in applying the trim into place.
He also installs a ledger board on the back wall to support the countertop. Then he uses an aluminum molding against the backsplash. Again, he applies contact cement on the side of the laminate and the backsplash before applying the aluminum molding. Now he is ready to install the sink.
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