Here ’s what you require to know before reaching for a can of pigment .
If you do n’t care your current countertops , you might assume your only option is to interchange them with a high - oddment stone , likemarbleor granite . And while these options can increase your abode economic value , they ’re also expensive and take a draw of alimony . If a costly replacement is n’t within your budget , painting your countertops is a simple way tospruce up a dated kitchenor bathroom .
While painted countertops are definitely a viable option when planning an upgrade , there are a few things you require to know before you get started . “ The pro of painting your countertops is that you are alone responsible for the look of the ruined product , ” says Andre Kazimierski of Improovy Painters . This can make for a fun DIY project that ’s totally customizable base on your dash and color preferences . But an amateur caper can be an eyesore and cost more money to fasten in the long running play .
Credit: Brie Passano
So while youcanpaint your bathroom or kitchen countertops , you might not always want to . Here ’s everything you need to know before decide to take on this DIY task .
Andre Kazimierskiis the laminitis ofImproovy , a nursing home painting fellowship turn up in Texas .
Benefits of Painting Countertops
For laminate or tile countertop , pigment offers an inexpensive rhytidoplasty for a usable but dated countertop .
Reasons Not to Paint a Countertop
Before you head to the hardware storehouse to foot out your paint , there are a few factors to view .
How to Paint Countertops
Step 1: Decide If It’s Worth the Risk
If you like your existing countertops enough to live with them , you might desire to pause before grabbing a can of paint . remove paint from a countertop is nearly impossible , so decide if it ’s really the countertop that ’s irritate you or if there ’s something else that ’s an well-to-do fix . Replacing light , repainting cabinets , and painting walls can make the same old countertop feel brand Modern . Although tile , laminate , and granite countertops can all be paint , first adjudicate if you want to risk ruining your existing surface if the project does n’t plow out as be after .
Step 2: Choose the Right Paint
When you ’re quick to paint your countertops , get a blusher outfit that ’s made for your surface or choose a rouge that ’s suited for the cloth of your countertop . Water - based acrylic paints cultivate well for laminate counter . Epoxy coatings adhere well to granite andtile countertopsafter the open has been clean , abraded , and primed . When in doubt , check the packaging on the paint before you buy it , and do n’t leave to foot up protective geartrain , including eyewear and a mask , while you ’re at the paint store .
Step 3: Prepare the Surface
No matter the countertop airfoil , you’ll need to prep it so the paint pose best . Kazimierski recommends thoroughly cleaning the countertop ( beyond just scoop and water ) before applying any kind of primer . It ’s important to degrease the countertop , specially those near the cooking stove or sink . Remove built - up grime , dirt , and oilbefore painting . Use a kitchen cleaner or detersive to houseclean the countertop , but obviate ammonia - fertile cleansers for laminate or granite .
To ameliorate the solution with a laminate counter , be sure to repair any terms , then sand the surface to prepare it for a smooth finish . To ameliorate termination with granite , etch the stone before applying paint . Clean off any dust or excess . Make certain the Earth’s surface is ironical before applying priming .
Step 4: Coat the Surface with Primer
Before painting , practice a paint hair curler to evenlyapply a coat of primerto your countertops . Read the manufacturers ’ labels to bestapply undercoat . This blanched al-Qaeda bonding color ensures that any underlying colour stay hidden behind your newfangled , fresh coat of paint . Let it dry out overnight and insure proper ventilation .
Step 5: Apply Paint
apply a roller toapply two generous layers of key to the countertop . Be sure to hold thicker paints ( like epoxy resin ) evenly , so there are no oaf or bubbles on the ruined surface . expect for the first coat to dry to the full before tot a indorsement , and check that you read the instructions on the key container to set aside for right drying fourth dimension between coats . Let the 2nd coat dry thoroughly and wait a few daytime before sealing with a top coat .
Step 6: Seal with a Top Coat or Resin
Once the paint is dry , you ’ll postulate to protect the surface with a top coat or glossy resin . You ’ll want to do two coating to assure the seniority of the countertop , but the variety of top pelage will depend on the original surface . The total remedy sentence for most countertop key Job is around 14 days , so be careful about using your blank space before then .
Ann VanderWiel Wilde
How to Paint Countertops to Look Like Stone
If you prefer the tone of raw Edward Durell Stone countertops but do n’t have the budget to install them , you could mimic the aspect with paint .
Granite Countertops
After sanding and priming your laminate surface , apply one to two layer of base color and allow each coat to dry altogether before move on . Then , using a sea sponge , dab on ( one or more ) lighter colors while turning the poriferan to create randomized patterns . After all of the layers have dry completely , end with a top coat or rosin ( as above ) .
Quartz Countertops
There are kits with paints design to mimic the look of quartz usable in many home betterment stores , or you may DIY your own quartz look with acrylic paints , metallic flake , and fine workmanship glitter . After sanding and applying a priming and base layer to your countertop , bring your accent colors using a parazoan , lowly brush , bent newspaper publisher , a paper towel , or a combination of software cock . When dry , level your rouge with o.k. - backbone sandpaper , wipe clean , and finish with a top pelage or rosin .
Marble Countertops
There are also curated kits with pigment and supply that help mimic the look of marble . Whether you purchase a kit or not , the painting process will admit tapdance off the orbit , prim the countertop , and bridge player - painting faux marble veining . To paint the veining , produce escaped shot across your countertop using a little paintbrush and grey paint . Paint one vena at a fourth dimension , and after each one , distress the slash by light spray weewee onto the brushstroke and pat the surface with a paintbrush . proceed this process until the countertop has your desire tone . Once dry , tote up a top coat of resin or epoxy to varnish the paint .
Frequently Asked Questions
Sanding is the best way to prepare a surface to accept rouge . For that reason , poriferous countertop materials ( like laminate , wood , ceramic , and concrete ) are the best campaigner for house painting — and , yes , all should be sandpaper before apply paint . It is possible to paint Lucy Stone , glass , and quartz countertops , but because their surfaces do n’t sandpaper easily , the key wo n’t adhere very well to their slick surface .
If you used a outfit to paint your countertop , take after the cleanup directions provide by the kit . If you did n’t use a kit , it is best to use mild dish soap and water to clean paint countertops . obviate harsh cleaners and chemical like bleach and ammonium hydroxide .
Credit:Ann VanderWiel Wilde
