I dropped a cast iron pan on the edge of my laminate countertop and it took a chunk out of the corner. Not huge, about the size of a fingernail, but it sat right where my arm rests, and I felt it every single day for months.

I thought fixing it meant replacing the whole countertop. It does not. A small chip like that is a thirty minute job.

What You Need

• Fine sandpaper, around 220 grit
• A tube of matching repair compound or wood filler for laminate
• A putty knife or old credit card
• Acrylic paint in a matching color, if the chip is visible
• Clear nail polish or a small bottle of laminate sealer

Most home stores sell laminate repair kits with colored putties for under fifteen dollars.

Clean and Sand

Clean the chip area with a degreaser and let it dry. Gently sand the rough edges with the fine sandpaper so the repair has something to grip. Wipe away the dust. Do not sand the surrounding surface more than you have to.

Fill and Shape

Press the repair compound into the chip, slightly overfilling it. Smooth it flat with the putty knife or the edge of the credit card. Let it dry completely, then sand it flush with the rest of the countertop.

I overfilled mine on purpose and sanded it down level. That gave a much cleaner edge than trying to get it perfect on the first pass.

Match the Color and Seal

If the chip is in a visible spot, mix acrylic paint to match the countertop and dab it on the repair. Let it dry, then brush a thin coat of clear sealer or nail polish over it. That keeps moisture out of the repair.

For darker countertops, touch up with a brown or black marker before sealing. It sounds cheap, but it hides the repair line.

The whole job cost me about twelve dollars. The chip has been fixed for a year and I forget which corner it was on.