varathane over laminate flooring?

[Mike Annetts]

Hello can you put varathane over the glued together laminate flooring. I realize the floor has to have room to expand but the wife wants to do this. any ideas and help would be appreciated. Mike

[buffalobill]

take a scrap piece and try a fine steel wool over its surface first. test a single coat, allow to dry for a day or longer as needed. evaluate. steel wool, second coat, dry, evaluate. repeat until desired finish appears. don't know about laminate but that's how we do the 4 coats of polyurethane over sanded wood floors.

[m Ransley]

Some factory finishes are difficult to get a bond to. cal the co that made it

[Edwin Pawlowski]

You may be asking for trouble. Laminate is plastic. It is not wood, it cannot be sanded and re-sanded after the Varathane gets worn. You may not get a good bond to the plastic material as it is designed to be smooth, tough, and resistant to stuff sticking to it so that makes it easy to clean.

If the laminate is in poor condition, a top coat will not improve it. If it is dull and you want shiny, you have the adhesion issues. Laminates are designed to eliminate the need for any coatings and the finishes on the good stuff are far more durable than anything you will apply from a can.

If you post why she wants to do this perhaps someone can make a recommendation, but if it is worn out, it is best replaced.