Submitted by Designing Daybreak
Oh my goodness, I’m so excited to share this kitchen counter tops challenge and see what you assume. It was a giant one and possibly the primary time I’ve executed one thing to our dwelling that I used to be truly actually scared to begin. 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 received 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 toilet 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 steel edging for that further one thing particular. On a better shot you will 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 stable floor counter tops. It’s not like we’ve any scarcity of different initiatives to concentrate on or any surplus of funds in any case. However goals of one thing like this stored floating by means of my thoughts:
So stunning. However so out of attain. At the least I assumed 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 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 shade change. We actually preferred 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 drag within the wall shade. I additionally knew I didn’t wish 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 up to date 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 deal with a counter high makeover of your individual:
Provides and Supplies
(Not all provides are pictured)
• Paint in quite a lot of shades. I used a lightweight grey Valspar in a satin end and added gentle blue and darkish charcoal craft paint (You possibly can actually use no matter colours you need. I can’t appear to search 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 high quality flake for selection)
• Drop Cloths
• Painters tape
• Polyacrylic
• EnviroTex Lite
• Blow torch (really helpful)
• Two containers for mixing
• Clear paint stir stick
• Gloves
• Rags or Paper Towels
And some extra important provides:
• at the very least three days the place you will get by with no kitchen
• a good friend to assist with the sealer step
• numerous persistence and optimism
Replace: Questioning how these painted counter tops are holding up? See Daybreak’s evaluate (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 wish to begin by cleansing after which sanding the laminate counters evenly. 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 fast work of this step!) provides 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 totally to eliminate any residue from sanding. Then I coated every part 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 shade went down on the entire countertop floor, with drying in between every. (are you seeing but why persistence is on my listing of provides?) It was already beginning to look higher.
The type of paint you employ for these coats shouldn’t matter since it is going to be sealed beneath the resin end. Select one of the best paint for you by shade. I prevented 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 “gentle dusting of glitter” severely. 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 appear like any model of stone or end you like. You possibly can paint veins of shade 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 shade. I wished sharper edges than I knew I’d get sponge portray, so as a substitute I used plastic grocery luggage (which we at all times preserve 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 purple. It should 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 wish to attempt to imitate the look of granite. It will simply have been too formal for our eclectic/fashionable dwelling. As an alternative I wished a stable stone look that may be just like the inspiration photographs above, however very delicate.
To get depth, I utilized the colours liberally over the entire counter. Aspect be aware, 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 coated every part 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 approach 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…received’t cease)
By this time, my hand was wanting like I’d gone a bit of 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 coated 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 stop 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 guarantee that if I occurred to overlook a spot with the sealer, it might at the very least nonetheless be considerably shiny, particularly on the backsplashes and counter edges. I used polyacrilic as a substitute of polyurethane to stop any yellowing over time, for the reason that base shade is so gentle. 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 (persistence persistence) I began mixing up the Enviro Tex Lite sealer- that is the highest coat. I actually recommend that in case you use these things, you’ve a good friend there to assist out. Fortunately Dania came to visit 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’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 one more minute. Then instantly pour liberally onto the counters and unfold it out, letting it drip over the sides so you’ll be able to easy it onto the entrance lip of the counters (therefore the protecting plastic).
Word; we left the sink in place, and wrapped it with painter’s tape. Make sure to take away that tape earlier than the Epoxy is totally dry.
Step 8: Pop Air Bubbles and Look ahead to Drips
After you’ve coated the entire counter, you’ll in all probability have some air bubbles in case you’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 capacity. I assumed that route sounded a bit of tedious for not realizing if it might truly work as nicely, so torch it was. Dania beloved it as soon as she received the grasp of it.
Moreover having the torch prepared for any rising bubbles, I simply stored a watch on the counters for drips. Just a few hours later it was fairly cheesy.
WARNINGS and Notes:
There have been some points to be aware of if you wish to do this your self. This course of is way from good 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 truly needed to dig out one little gnat who received caught within the resin. Poor man.
Work in SMALL sections. There have been additionally just a few locations we in some way missed. I assume 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 while 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 exhausting to see the place you’ve coated generally. I plan to purchase a small package 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 kind 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 believe a thicker coat of sealer or perhaps a second coat would have eradicated that situation, or utilizing solely the high quality glitter, however assume I can sand the extra noticeable spots down fairly simply. Right here’s an in depth up the place you’ll be able to truly see the paint element a bit of higher:
Refined, however a lot improved I believe!
General it was undoubtedly value it, and truly type of a enjoyable challenge. Plus it saved us a whole lot on new counter tops.
The EnviroTex is meant to be meals protected as soon as dry, and I’ve learn that upkeep for these shall be just like granite.
No putting scorching gadgets immediately on the floor, and use cleaning soap and water, slightly 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 fully.
This challenge is also executed on toilet counter tops.
Price :
As for the fee for the overall challenge, 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 Interest Foyer, btw). This challenge was principally a make your individual countertop paint kits – but you can purchase kits here.
Completely value it! I’m in love with our new counters and so glad I jumped and truly accomplished this challenge. Portray Laminate Counter tops is probably not 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 determine 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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