Replacing Laminate Countertops Without Removing Them
It is possible to put new laminate over existing laminate to freshen your kitchen without removing the current counters. The current laminate must be smooth, without deep gouges, and glued to the underlayment securely so that your new laminate doesnt peel away.
To install new laminate, cut it to size and then use contact cement applied with a soft-bristle brush. Ensure you smooth out the laminate and trim any overage, and allow it to dry completely before using the counters.
Can You Spray Paint Kitchen Countertops
Yes, it is possible to spray paint kitchen countertops, but it is important to note that the results may not be as durable as countertops that are professionally refinished or replaced.
Spray paint is not as hardwearing as other materials, so it is more prone to chipping and peeling, especially in high-use areas like countertops.
Before you begin, it is important to thoroughly clean and dry the surface of the countertops. Any dirt, grease, or other contaminants on the surface can interfere with the adhesion of the paint.
You should also sand the surface of the countertops to rough up the surface and help the paint adhere better.
Once the surface is prepared, you can begin spraying the countertops with the paint. Be sure to use thin, even coats, and allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
You may need to apply several coats to achieve the desired coverage.
It is also a good idea to apply a clear sealer over the paint to help protect it from wear and tear.
This can help extend the life of the painted countertops and make them more resistant to chipping and peeling.
Keep in mind that while it is possible to spray paint kitchen countertops, it is not a permanent solution and may require touch-ups or a new coat of paint over time.
If you are looking for a more durable option, it may be worth considering professional refinishing or replacing the countertops.
Reasons Not To Paint A Countertop
Before you head to the hardware store to pick out your paint, there are a few factors to consider. Not every countertop can be painted so consult with the experts at your local paint store before getting started. Keep in mind that this is a time-consuming project that will force you to stop using the kitchen or bathroom until the paint and top coat are completely dry.
A professional will likely be able to do this project faster, but hiring it out will raise the cost of the project. If you’re not confident in your DIY abilities, price out the cost of a professional versus the price of replacing the countertops with granite or laminate before you commit.
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Smooth The Surface With Sandpaper Tape Around The Edges
The next step is to smoothen out the surface with sandpaper . At this stage, you want to make sure that the surface is rid of any unevenness that will hinder the even application of fresh primer and paint.
Throughout the process, keep wiping off the surface with a damp towel feeling the surface along the way to make sure you are getting all the uneven spots. Sanding will leave the surface ready to grip the fresh primer and paint to be applied.
The other step, before you start applying layers of primer and paint, is to tape off the edges just outside or above the lines of where the granite ends and the wall, sink or wood surfaces begin. You can use 3M Painters Tape for Delicate Surfaces or Frogs Painters Tape for this purpose.
Make sure to remove all debris, not only from the surface you will be painting, but from the sink or any other fixtures within the surface, from the floor, and on any side table that you will be putting trays, rollers, sponges, and paints on. Otherwise, you run the risk of grit mixing in with the material and ruining your job.
S : Prime The Laminate Countertops
With everything taped, you can begin priming the counter.
- Start by pouring some primer into the paint tray, then, with a back-and-forth motion, use the roller to apply it to the laminate counter. Be sure to overlap each previous pass by a few inches to ensure youre maintaining a wet edge.
- When you get to the inside corners and the edges, be sure to switch to the paintbrush. Its best to brush the primer onto the counter while the rolled primer is still wet, as it will dry with a more consistent, flat texture.
- Always allow the primer to dry according to the manufacturers instructions.
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How To Prep When You Paint Countertops
If you decide that you DO in fact what to paint your countertops, the next important thing for you to consider is how you will prep them.
I have heard of many techniques including using electric sanders. While thats great and certainly effective, not everyone has that. Well Im happy to tell you that you can prep your countertop with just three simple things!
I go into lots of detail on how to degloss in my post about how to paint kitchen cabinets so be sure to check out that post for more details! Youll be using the same method here.
In short though, over time all the surfaces in our house get some amount of oil and dirt on them. This happens in even the cleanest of homes!
Before your paint can adhere to a surface well, you need to make sure that you strip away all that oil and dirt! Standard cleaners, even TSP wont do this well enough! By using a deglosser like the one shown above, you strip away all the oil!
Its even better than that by using this deglosser you are also scuffing the surface! Thats right this specific deglosser also acts like a liquid sander!
Youll notice the sheen on any surface fade when you use it and thats one of the many ways you will know that its working. It wont feel rough, but it will be rough enough for paint to stick well!
After you see how well the deglosser cleans you may be wondering if you can use the deglosser on other things dont!
How To Paint Granite Countertops
Surface Preparation Remove the caulk or latex lining surrounding the countertop with a screwdriver or a boxcutter, and clean the grease that oozes out. Now, thoroughly scrub the surface with soapy water and a scouring pad. Once the job is done, rinse twice with plain water to ensure that no foamy scum remains on the surface.
Sandpaper the Surface, Tape the Edges Now use the sandpaper to polish the surface to ensure the surface is even for smooth application of primer and paint. During the process, use a damp cloth towel to wipe the surface and keep feeling it for any jagged spots. Thus, Sanding allows the granites surface ready to hold the primer and thereafter the paint.
Tape off the edges of the natural stone before applying the primer with painters tape. These edges would include the above and outside edges where the stone finishes and the wall, wooden surface, and sink begin.
Apply Primer Use the foam brush and roller offered in the painting kit to apply primer. Use long painting strokes and roll the primer in the same direction during the process. The primer needs a minimum of 8-hours to dry before the next application.
If you want to opt for a marble look, buy a painting kit that contains three paints . In the mixing, tray pours Greystone Mineral and dab sponge in it to apply in small square areas of the granite top. This specially designed primer hides stains, scratches, or discolorations to create that final new look.
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Paint Illustrated With The Steps For Applying Giani Acrylic Paints
Take a standard sponge and cut it into manageable pieces you would like to have three or four usable pieces. Get a tray where you can pour the paint and dip the sponge being used.
You will need to choose the color and finish of your paint kit, depending on how you want the end product to look. Normally, the color scheme should be brighter in small rooms while you can go for a darker shade in well-lit kitchens and bathrooms.
Acrylic and latex are both good choices for painting over granite since they last longer and maintain their external shine over time. Acrylic latex paints are a great combination as well.
Here, we will discuss how to use the three paints contained in the Giani White Diamond Countertop Paint Kit. This type of multi-layered painting is necessary when you are going for a marble or finished granite look.
Spread some of the Greystone 2A on a mixing tray. Dip the first piece of sponge in, Daub it on the tray to make sure it isnt dripping. Apply it on the granite surface in small square areas. Greystone Mineral 2A is a specialty primer designed to hide any prior stains, discolorations, or scratches, mixed in with mineral colors that help create the granite look and feel.
Following the 2A application, move on to apply the Quartzite , followed by the White Limestone paint. Quartzite helps to create the granite look, while White Limestone is a finishing paint. Use separate pieces of sponge for each application.
Apply Laminate Countertop Paint
When it comes to choosing paint for your countertop, a two-part water-based epoxy paint is usually your best bet. You must mix the two components together, but it doesn’t require a primer and the paint is fully cured in approximately four days. HGTV also notes that water based acrylic paint for countertops also works well. If you prime your countertop, however, you can use an oil- or water-based latex house paint to cover your countertop.
You can also find paint kits at your local home improvement store that allow you to paint your countertop with a faux granite look. When painting, you can use either a roller or brush to apply it. If you use a brush, however, be careful not to leave brush strokes. In some cases, multiple coats of paint may be necessary to cover your countertop, so for best results, allow the paint to dry completely between coats.
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How To Seal After You Paint Kitchen Countertops
You might be asking now that Ive painted them and they look perfect, how do you seal once you paint kitchen countertops???! Painted countertop durability is important! The last thing you want is for your beautiful work to get ruined!
Luckily, that part is especially easy! It just takes a little patience.
Youll want to apply many clear protective coats. The paint itself has a built in protective coat but for a countertop that needs to withstand daily scrubbing, youll want to add lots of clear coats!
Think of it this way when a professional stains a piece of furniture, they then add 7-10 coats of poly on top of it and then sand it and polish it so that the furniture will hod up to years of use.
That furniture doesnt get scrubbed daily though but your counter will! So be sure to take the time to add on a few coats of clear gloss on top. The scrubbing will eventually wear through the coats so the more you have the better!
I used Dixi Belle Paints Clear Gloss but they have a flat top coat and a satin one too if you prefer that type of finish.
Seal With A Top Coat Or Resin
Once the paint is dry, you’ll need to protect the surface with a top coat or glossy resin. You’ll want to do two coats to ensure the longevity of the countertop, but the kind of top coat will depend on the original surface. The total cure time for most countertop paint jobs is around 14 days, so be careful about using your space before then.
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How Can I Paint My Countertop Without A Kit
First you should clean the surface of the countertop and then let it dry. Now the primer should be applied on the countertop. Let it dry for 15 minutes. Now you can apply the paint according to any color. Apply two coats of paint and let it dry for few hours. After it dries, you can apply the sealant and then let it dry.
Chalk Paint Has To Be Sealed Or Waxed
As I may have reiterated a few times already, chalk paint is very porous. This means its prone to staining and can easily be damaged if its not properly sealed.
If you dont seal or wax your chalk-painted laminate countertop, it will only last a few months before it starts to wear and tear.
So, if you want your countertop to last, then youll need to make sure that you seal or wax it regularly.
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Skim Coat It With Concrete
Finally, its possible to give your kitchen an industrial edge without pouring your own concrete countertops. Full disclosure: this project is both dusty and intensive, so make sure you set aside enough time before diving in.
You already know youre starting with a deep clean and a good sanding, at which point its time to mix up your concrete. DIYer Libbie of A Life Unfolding whos refinished both kitchen counters and a bar top this way recommends mixing up small batches so your concrete doesnt dry out between steps.
Like Libbie, youll use a trowel to apply a thin but consistent layer of the concrete over every inch of your sanded laminate, and then let that dry. Repeat the process as many times as you need to get your desired thickness, sanding lightly between each thin coat.
Finish with three light coats of Acrylaq, and youve got yourself a brand new setup thats likely to last you far longer than your original laminate ever could have.
Cons Of Painting Countertops Vs Replacing Them
In order to make an informed decision, youll need to understand the potential disadvantages of painting countertops. Painted countertops tend to be less durable than ones that are still in their original condition. However, this can be mitigated by contracting a skilled professional. While there are lots of options to mimic the look of natural countertops, it may take someone with special skills to make it look as authentic as possible. This could also mean your cost might go up if you need to hire someone, so be sure to factor that in when deciding whether you should paint or replace your countertops.
Finally, there are some countertop paints and coatings that contain high levels of lead. You can use a lead inspector to test your current countertops and research the paint youll be using to make sure its free of lead.
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How To Make Countertops Look Like Marble Granite The Paper Towel Technique
Alright Heres the point in this blog post where I finally get to it! HOW do you make painted countertops look like marble, granite, or just some sort of natural stone?
There are many different techniques and they all look amazing but let me be honest I was worried that I wouldnt be able to do it well!
I was also worried that Id get half way through and then slip up some how and then my countertops would look different from one side of the kitchen to the other!
One common technqiue for making countertops look like marble is to use a paint brush to draw the veins, then spray with water to cause it to run, and then spread it out to look like veins even more.
This looks beautiful when the uber skilled DIY-ers did it but I was worried that I wouldnt be able to pull it off. I love DIY but its not like I do this sort of thing daily.
I needed a technique that would be super easy to do and almost foolproof!
Heres what I came up with use paper towel!
Thats right!
Add some paint to a plate, and then pick up a few pieces of paper towel that you scrunch up into a ball. Then dip that paper towel into the paint and tap it onto the countertop!
After a few minutes of doing that, the paper towel gets more saturated and naturally unwinds a bit.
This unwinded part lets you slap the paint onto the counter in a way that created unique marks each time but also varying amounts of paint/darkness.
Take a look at this video to see what I mean:
How Long Will Painted Countertops Last
Painted countertops will last for about 5 to 7 years. Most kitchen countertops made of high-end materials, such as granite or marble, can last for more than five years. The countertops are natural materials that are affected by heat and cold. Frequent use and exposure to sunlight can cause the countertops to degrade and wear out sooner. Here is a little trick to make the countertops last longer: apply a finish coat of polyurethane before painting the countertops. Polyurethane will make your countertops strong and durable.
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The Second And Final Coat
This was taken at night just before I went to bed, so Ill try later this week to give you a better after shot so you can see the color and finish a little better.
Just for the fun of it, Ill give you a Before & After split screen as well.
I painted this little counter beside the fridge as well, but forgot to take an after pic.
And for the ultimate question: how do I like my results? The answer: meh. I wasnt expecting miracles, and I wasnt 100% in love with the results. The finish was consistent and felt dry to the touch after just a couple of hours, so Im sure in the three days that it takes to cure, the paint will stick quite well and wear nicely over the next year or so . I did notice that there were certain areas where the paint appeared to bubble a little, but I think thats probably my fault for not waiting until the temps got a little higher before trying this out. On the bright side, I dont think I want to go gray with the countertops, and it cost me only $20 for a test drive. Once I paint the cabinets a lighter color, I dont think I want to go in the mid-tone range for countertops either extremely light or extremely dark is what Im thinking, just so theres contrast. And its really motivating me to get rid of those dated oak cabinets. Im thinking white with that gray wouldnt look too bad.
A few months later
About six months after, I reviewed the condition of the counters to see how they held up with normal use. Want to see the results? Click here.