Should I Paint That? Countertops
When looking for ways to give your kitchen a new look, you probably think about buying new decor and applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls or cabinets. But you probably don’t think about new countertops. They’re too expensive to replace.
But there is a way to give your countertops a new look without replacing them...
You can paint them! Yes, you can paint your countertops. Wood, laminate, and even stone countertops.
Wait! You can paint stone countertops? Like granite and quartz?
Yes. It might seem counterintuitive (pun intended) to paint over such luxurious materials, but you can paint stone countertops. Especially if they have been damaged and you want to cover the blemishes.
In this post, we’re going to look at laminate countertops because they’re more commonly painted than wood or stone counters.
How to Paint Laminate Countertops
Before you start painting on laminate, you need to prep the surface. Start by sanding the laminate surface with 200 to 220 fine-grit sandpaper. You can sand the counters by hand or with an electric sander to speed up the process.
Once the counters are sanded, you'll need to wipe away any dust. Use a lint-free cotton rag and mineral spirits to wipe off the surface. Once the mineral spirits has dried, check for any other debris by running your hand over the counter. It should be totally smooth.
Now that you have a clean surface, you’ll want to use painter’s tape to protect anything around the counters that you don’t want primer or paint on. Tape off the walls, sink, and even the cabinets under the counter. It’s also not a bad idea to lay down plastic, painter’s cloth, or newspaper to protect your floors.
Once you’re all taped, you’re ready to prime your countertops. For laminate countertops, you’ll want to use primer for glossy surfaces applied with 9-inch foam paint rollers. The foam rollers will give your counters a smooth coat. As you apply the primer, make sure to keep a wet edge. Once the area is covered, let it dry for at least 6 hours before applying the second coat. Once that coat is dry, you’re ready to paint!
There are special paint blends for countertops, so make sure you’re using a water-based acrylic paint engineered for countertops. Apply the paint in long strokes from the front edge to the back, keeping a wet edge, as you did with the primer. Use a trim brush for edges. Let the first coat dry for four hours before applying the second.
After you’ve applied two coats of countertop paint, you’ll want to apply a water-based acrylic high-gloss top coat to protect your countertop and give it a nice shiny surface. Again, use a 9-inch foam roller, and apply two coats. Wait four hours between coats. After you’ve applied the second coat, wait 24 hours before using your countertops.
NOTE: The top coat actually takes two weeks to fully cure, so be careful with your counters for the first 14 days.
If you’d rather have professionals paint your countertops, or any other surfaces, contact us, and we’ll give you a free quote for your paint project.
