Question about Tile Backsplash

[blueyes]

Hi! I am relatively new to diy stuff. But my bathroom needs some color, and I want to put up some tile backsplash, and repaint. However, I think the current backsplash is a laminate/formica board? It is literally just white. Everything I am reading online says that it would be a disaster to apply tile to laminate, but is there a way I can do it? There is no way I feel comfortable trying to get the laminate off the walls without doing a lot of damage. But it really needs some color, more than just paint. Any suggestions?

[FoxInFiji]

No sorry you can't apply tile to laminate. Thinset needs the right backing to stick to like cement board (which has a rough texture). Even if you got the tile to stay it would most likely crack the grout and/or tile over time from the weight of the tile being on a bad backing.

How about a nice peel and stick tile? They make some good looking versions and even ones that are groutable. There are gel peel and stick tiles that look like glass or ones that have a metal finish.

[munkii]

According to its FAQ, you can use Bondera on laminate; it's available at Lowes. Some posters here have used it and can tell you what they think. Home Depot also has one, but I don't know if you can install it over laminate.

Bondera: www.bonderatilematset.com/pages/faq.html
SimpleMat: www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202828989/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=tile+seting+mat&storeId=10051#.UQFb5x3XlyU

ETA: These are used in place of thinset, and you grout like usual.

[blueyes]

Thanks for the suggestions!