Submitted by Designing Daybreak
Oh my goodness, I’m so excited to share this kitchen counter tops challenge and see what you suppose. It was a giant one and perhaps the primary time I’ve carried out one thing to our house that I used to be really actually scared to start out. I painted our kitchen counter tops. Sure. Paint. Counter tops. Kitchen. Phrases that don’t appear to go collectively in any respect, however but right here they’re, dwelling in concord.
I’m too excited to maintain you in suspense, so here’s a earlier than and after of the transformation:
Good, proper? I actually can’t cease observing it. So shiny… As for a way i obtained from A to B, the small print get a bit long-winded, so bear with me.
I’ve to confess, the previous counters actually weren’t horrible (particularly contemplating that our rest room counter is laminate magenta) however they weren’t nice both. They actually really look somewhat higher within the image above than in actual life, the place the laminate floor positively had a speckled yellow tinge and darkish brown seams that had been cracked in locations. Oh and silver steel edging for that further one thing particular. On a better shot you will get somewhat higher concept of what we had been working with.
I had resigned myself to the thought that they may very well be worse, and set a maybe-someday purpose of recent stable floor counter tops. It’s not like we’ve got any scarcity of different tasks to deal with or any surplus of funds in any case. However desires of one thing like this stored floating by means of my thoughts:
So stunning. However so out of attain. A minimum of I believed so till I learn this makeover story or this marble painted counter tutorial, from a lady who painted her previous counter tops. I instantly determined I needed to strive it. However I used to be nervous. In any case, it’s a giant enterprise and new counter tops weren’t in our finances. I knew if I messed them up it was going to be, properly, not good. However within the spirit of optimism I went for it anyway.
I made a decision to not go too dramatic within the colour change. We actually favored the distinction of the sunshine counters towards our darkish cupboards, so the primary purpose was to do away with the brown edges and yellow tinge in favor of a extra impartial grey with specks of blue to drag within the wall colour. I additionally knew I didn’t need to go for a granite look, like within the article. That will have been somewhat too conventional for our house decor, versus the extra modern look of a stable stone.
Painted Counter tops Tutorial
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Shifting on, listed below are the provides you’ll want if you wish to sort out a counter prime makeover of your personal:
Provides and Supplies
(Not all provides are pictured)
• Paint in a wide range of shades. I used a light-weight grey Valspar in a satin end and added mild blue and darkish charcoal craft paint (You may actually use no matter colours you need. I can’t appear to seek out my base paint swatch.. will need to have been left at Lowes, however I’ll attempt to dig up the precise title of the colour.)
• Primer
• Sponge Brushes
• Sand paper (or sponge)
• Glitter (non-obligatory – I used a bigger clear glitter and a really superb flake for selection)
• Drop Cloths
• Painters tape
• Polyacrylic
• EnviroTex Lite
• Blow torch (advisable)
• Two containers for mixing
• Clear paint stir stick
• Gloves
• Rags or Paper Towels
And some extra important provides:
• at the least three days the place you will get by with no kitchen
• a pal to assist with the sealer step
• lots of endurance and optimism
Replace: Questioning how these painted counter tops are holding up? See Daybreak’s evaluation (plus others) right here.
Directions:
Step 1: Prep- Cleansing and Sanding the Laminate Counter tops
When you’ve gathered all of your provides, you’ll need to begin by cleansing after which sanding the laminate counters flippantly. You don’t should go loopy right here, however a light-weight sanding with sandpaper on a block or a padded sandpaper block, (strive a palm sander to make quick work of this step!) offers the paint a greater floor to stay to.
Step 2: Paint on Primer
As soon as I had sanded every part down, I wiped them down once more completely to do away with any residue from sanding. Then I lined every part with the primary coat of paint, a coat of primer. I recommend utilizing a small foam curler for a very clean end. (an everyday paint curler will go away an excessive amount of texture on the end)
Step 3: Base Coat of Paint (skinny layers)
After that was dry, three skinny coats of my base grey colour went down on the entire countertop floor, with drying in between every. (are you seeing but why endurance is on my checklist of provides?) It was already beginning to look higher.
The form of paint you employ for these coats shouldn’t matter since will probably be sealed beneath the resin end. Select the most effective paint for you by colour. I averted oil based mostly paints to keep away from yellowing.
Step 4: Optionally available: Dusting of Glitter
Earlier than the final layer was dry, I additionally added a light-weight dusting of glitter. I can’t imagine I simply used the phrase “mild dusting of glitter” critically. I did although, as a result of I wished some dimension and texture in my layers of paint to assist with the phantasm of depth present in a stable stone floor.
Step 5: Layering Colours for Added Dimension
This step is the place you can also make the counters seem like any fashion of stone or end you like. You may paint veins of colour to make it seem like marble, however I used to be going for a extra trendy look than a tradtional marble.
My subsequent step was making use of the layers of colour. I wished sharper edges than I knew I’d get sponge portray, so as an alternative I used plastic grocery luggage (which we all the time maintain to reuse- I’m resourceful like that) and began dabbing away in small sections with two colours of paint. (note- keep away from luggage with shiny colours of ink on them, like pink. It should bleed when combined with different paint)
I selected a light-weight blue to play off the partitions and a charcoal grey for distinction. I knew I didn’t need to attempt to imitate the look of granite. It might simply have been too formal for our eclectic/trendy house. As a substitute I wished a stable stone look that might be just like the inspiration pictures above, however very refined.
To get depth, I utilized the colours liberally over the entire counter. Facet word, I wished the paints to combine for a pure stone variation impact, so I didn’t watch for one to dry earlier than making use of the second.
After each of those had been on and nonetheless damp, I lined every part once more with dabs of the unique base grey. Once more, the purpose this complete time was an phantasm of depth trigger by a number of layers of paint. I used my identical grocery bag approach right here after which sprinkled on one other layer of glitter. By now it was trying like this:
As soon as all that had dried, I added one ultimate layer of dabbed grey base paint to extend the subtlety and one other dusting of glitter. (can’t cease…gained’t cease)
By this time, my hand was trying like I’d gone somewhat loopy with nail polish. DIY challenge life is a messy life.
Step 6: Apply a Coat of Polyacrylic
One other drying one break after which I lined all of this with a coat of polyacrylic. I did this for a few causes. One, I wished to seal down any rogue glitter and forestall the paint from smearing in any respect if it reacted with the epoxy- chemical sealer I used to be about to use.
Two, I wished to ensure that if I occurred to overlook a spot with the sealer, it could at the least nonetheless be considerably shiny, particularly on the backsplashes and counter edges. I used polyacrilic as an alternative of polyurethane to stop any yellowing over time, because the base colour is so mild. Additionally, it’s water-based, for simpler cleanup and it’s extra environmentally pleasant.
Step 7: Combine Epoxy and Apply
As soon as that was dry (endurance endurance) I began mixing up the Enviro Tex Lite sealer- that is the highest coat. I actually recommend that if you happen to use these things, you will have a pal there to assist out. Fortunately Dania came to visit to help me right here whereas the hub was on child responsibility within the basement, away from any fumes.
I didn’t suppose the fumes had been horrible, though we had the doorways and home windows open for air flow, however I’d suggest sporting previous garments, protecting gloves and a masks. These items is messy and sticky. Very sticky. Right here I’m, mixing away:
I adopted the instructions for mixing that got here within the bundle. Combine collectively the 2 bottles into one container for a minute, then pour right into a second container and proceed to combine for an additional minute. Then instantly pour liberally onto the counters and unfold it out, letting it drip over the sides so you’ll be able to clean it onto the entrance lip of the counters (therefore the protecting plastic).
Be aware; we left the sink in place, and wrapped it with painter’s tape. You should definitely take away that tape earlier than the Epoxy is totally dry.
Step 8: Pop Air Bubbles and Look ahead to Drips
After you’ve lined the entire counter, you’ll in all probability have some air bubbles if you happen to’ve combined it appropriately. You need to use a blow torch to pop these like so:
If that sounds intimidating otherwise you don’t occur to have a blow torch mendacity round, I’ve learn that blowing/exhaling on the bubbles works too. I’d recommend utilizing a straw for some aiming means. I believed that route sounded somewhat tedious for not understanding if it could really work as properly, so torch it was. Dania beloved it as soon as she obtained the dangle of it.
Moreover having the torch prepared for any rising bubbles, I simply stored an eye fixed on the counters for drips. A couple of hours later it was fairly cheesy.
WARNINGS and Notes:
There have been some points to pay attention to if you wish to do that your self. This course of is much from excellent or straightforward.
Some issues we bumped into included having to lock poor Luscious (our cat) within the basement for a day to keep away from kitty prints on the counters, and any mud or cat hair or something in any respect within the air will stick and keep on the counters.
I really needed to dig out one little gnat who obtained caught within the resin. Poor man.
Work in SMALL sections. There have been additionally a number of locations we one way or the other missed. I suppose we had been making an attempt to work quick (you solely have about 20 min or much less work time earlier than it begins to get cheesy as soon as it’s combined. You realize whenever you paint your nails and check out to return and clean one thing as soon as it’s already set and find yourself with a gloppy mess? Hate that.) and it may be somewhat arduous to see the place you’ve coated generally. I plan to purchase a small equipment to the touch up these spots. Hopefully it’s not too noticeable with seams or something like that.
The opposite factor to notice is that vertical surfaces, just like the backsplashes and entrance lips, don’t actually prove fairly as glassy clean because the floor. Due to gravity and drips, the backsplash has type of a textured look to them. I’m debating if one other coating would assist or not.
Additionally we did get some spots the place the larger glitter made little marks or bumps within the floor. I feel a thicker coat of sealer or perhaps a second coat would have eradicated that situation, or utilizing solely the superb glitter, however suppose I can sand the extra noticeable spots down fairly simply. Right here’s a detailed up the place you’ll be able to really see the paint element somewhat higher:
Refined, however a lot improved I feel!
General it was positively price it, and truly form of a enjoyable challenge. Plus it saved us a whole lot on new counter tops.
The EnviroTex is meant to be meals secure as soon as dry, and I’ve learn that upkeep for these shall be just like granite.
No putting scorching objects instantly on the floor, and use cleaning soap and water, fairly than chemical cleaners, to wipe them down, and all the time use a chopping board. It units up in about 8 hours and takes 2-3 days to harden fully.
This challenge may be carried out on rest room counter tops.
Price :
As for the fee for the full challenge, it got here in proper round $120, with nearly all of that expense being the sealer (which I purchased utilizing 40% off coupons at Interest Foyer, btw). This challenge was principally a make your personal countertop paint kits – however you should purchase kits right here.
Completely price it! I’m in love with our new counters and so glad I jumped and truly accomplished this challenge. Portray Laminate Counter tops might not be your first thought with regards to updating counter tops, however I extremely recommend it particularly if the finances it tight.
And one other of the entire kitchen makeover, only for enjoyable:
Let me know if any of you resolve to strive a counter makeover! I’d like to see photos!!
Questioning the way it’s holding up? Learn extra from Daybreak and different DIYers about their painted counter tops right here.
Initially printed 2-2-12 Up to date 5-3-23
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