Submitted by Designing Daybreak
Oh my goodness, I’m so excited to share this kitchen counter tops venture and see what you assume. It was a giant one and possibly the primary time I’ve accomplished one thing to our dwelling that I used to be truly 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 watching it. So shiny… As for a way i bought from A to B, the small print get a bit long-winded, so bear with me.
I’ve to confess, the outdated counters actually weren’t horrible (particularly contemplating that our rest room counter is laminate magenta) however they weren’t nice both. They actually truly look a bit of higher within the image above than in actual life, the place the laminate floor undoubtedly had a speckled yellow tinge and darkish brown seams that had been cracked in locations. Oh and silver metallic edging for that additional one thing particular. On a more in-depth shot you may get a bit of higher thought 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 objective of recent strong floor counter tops. It’s not like we now have any scarcity of different initiatives to deal with or any surplus of funds in spite of everything. However desires of one thing like this saved floating by way of my thoughts:
So stunning. However so out of attain. At the least I believed so till I learn this makeover story or this marble painted counter tutorial, from a lady who painted her outdated counter tops. I instantly determined I needed to strive it. However I used to be nervous. In spite of everything, it’s a giant endeavor and new counter tops weren’t in our finances. I knew if I messed them up it was going to be, nicely, 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 appreciated the distinction of the sunshine counters in opposition to our darkish cupboards, so the principle objective was to eliminate the brown edges and yellow tinge in favor of a extra impartial grey with specks of blue to tug 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 a bit of too conventional for our dwelling decor, versus the extra modern look of a strong stone.
Painted Counter tops Tutorial
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Transferring on, listed below are the provides you’ll want if you wish to sort out a counter prime makeover of your individual:
Provides and Supplies
(Not all provides are pictured)
• Paint in a wide range of shades. I used a lightweight grey Valspar in a satin end and added mild blue and darkish charcoal craft paint (You’ll be able to 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 identify of the colour.)
• Primer
• Sponge Brushes
• Sand paper (or sponge)
• Glitter (optionally available – I used a bigger clear glitter and a really nice flake for selection)
• Drop Cloths
• Painters tape
• Polyacrylic
• EnviroTex Lite
• Blow torch (beneficial)
• Two containers for mixing
• Clear paint stir stick
• Gloves
• Rags or Paper Towels
And some extra important provides:
• not less than three days the place you may get by with no kitchen
• a buddy to assist with the sealer step
• a whole lot 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 calmly. You don’t must go loopy right here, however a lightweight sanding with sandpaper on a block or a padded sandpaper block, (strive a palm sander to make quick work of this step!) provides the paint a greater floor to stay to.
Step 2: Paint on Primer
As soon as I had sanded the whole lot down, I wiped them down once more completely to eliminate any residue from sanding. Then I lined the whole lot with the primary coat of paint, a coat of primer. I recommend utilizing a small foam curler for a extremely easy end. (a daily paint curler will depart 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 listing of provides?) It was already beginning to look higher.
The sort of paint you employ for these coats shouldn’t matter since it is going to be sealed underneath the resin end. Select the perfect 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 lightweight dusting of glitter. I can’t imagine I simply used the phrase “mild dusting of glitter” significantly. 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 strong stone floor.
Step 5: Layering Colours for Added Dimension
This step is the place you may make the counters appear like any model of stone or end you like. You’ll be able to paint veins of colour to make it appear like marble, however I used to be going for a extra fashionable 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 at all times 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 vivid colours of ink on them, like purple. It’ll bleed when combined with different paint)
I selected a lightweight 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 will simply have been too formal for our eclectic/fashionable dwelling. As a substitute I wished a strong stone look that may be much like the inspiration pictures above, however very refined.
To get depth, I utilized the colours liberally over the entire counter. Facet notice, I wished the paints to combine for a pure stone variation impact, so I didn’t look forward to one to dry earlier than making use of the second.
After each of those had been on and nonetheless damp, I lined the whole lot once more with dabs of the unique base grey. Once more, the objective this entire time was an phantasm of depth trigger by a number of layers of paint. I used my identical grocery bag method right here after which sprinkled on one other layer of glitter. By now it was wanting like this:
As soon as all that had dried, I added one closing 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 wanting like I’d gone a bit of loopy with nail polish. DIY venture 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 be sure that if I occurred to overlook a spot with the sealer, it could not less than 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 should you use these things, you’ve got a buddy there to assist out. Fortunately Dania came visiting to help me right here whereas the hub was on child obligation within the basement, away from any fumes.
I didn’t assume the fumes had been horrible, though we had the doorways and home windows open for air flow, however I might advocate sporting outdated garments, protecting gloves and a masks. These things is messy and sticky. Very sticky. Right here I’m, mixing away:
I adopted the instructions for mixing that got here within the package deal. Combine collectively the 2 bottles into one container for a minute, then pour right into a second container and proceed to combine for one more minute. Then instantly pour liberally onto the counters and unfold it out, letting it drip over the perimeters so you possibly can easy it onto the entrance lip of the counters (therefore the protecting plastic).
Observe; 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 should you’ve combined it appropriately. You should 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 might recommend utilizing a straw for some aiming skill. I believed that route sounded a bit of tedious for not realizing if it could truly work as nicely, so torch it was. Dania cherished it as soon as she bought the cling of it.
Moreover having the torch prepared for any rising bubbles, I simply saved an eye fixed on the counters for drips. A number 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 simple.
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 truly needed to dig out one little gnat who bought caught within the resin. Poor man.
Work in SMALL sections. There have been additionally a couple of locations we in some way missed. I assume we had been attempting 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 already know whenever you paint your nails and take a look at to return and easy one thing as soon as it’s already set and find yourself with a gloppy mess? Hate that.) and it may be a bit of onerous to see the place you’ve coated typically. 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 easy because the floor. Due to gravity and drips, the backsplash has form 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 difficulty, or utilizing solely the nice glitter, however assume I can sand the extra noticeable spots down fairly simply. Right here’s an in depth up the place you possibly can truly see the paint element a bit of higher:
Delicate, however a lot improved I feel!
Total it was undoubtedly value it, and truly sort of a enjoyable venture. Plus it saved us a whole bunch on new counter tops.
The EnviroTex is meant to be meals secure as soon as dry, and I’ve learn that upkeep for these might be much like granite.
No inserting scorching objects straight on the floor, and use cleaning soap and water, fairly than chemical cleaners, to wipe them down, and at all times use a chopping board. It units up in about 8 hours and takes 2-3 days to harden utterly.
This venture may be accomplished on rest room counter tops.
Price :
As for the associated fee for the overall venture, it got here in proper round $120, with the vast majority of that expense being the sealer (which I purchased utilizing 40% off coupons at Passion Foyer, btw). This venture was mainly a make your individual countertop paint kits – however you should purchase kits right here.
Completely value it! I’m in love with our new counters and so glad I jumped and truly accomplished this venture. Portray Laminate Counter tops will not be your first thought relating 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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