Shiny Painted Kitchen Counter Prime Tutorial

Submitted by Designing Daybreak

Oh my goodness, I’m so excited to share this kitchen counter tops undertaking and see what you suppose. It was an enormous one and possibly the primary time I’ve completed one thing to our house that I used to be really 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 the 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 a bit 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 more in-depth shot you may get a bit higher thought of what we had been working with.

I had resigned myself to the thought that they could possibly be worse, and set a maybe-someday purpose of latest stable floor counter tops. It’s not like we’ve got any scarcity of different tasks to give attention to or any surplus of funds in any case. However goals of one thing like this saved floating by my thoughts:

So stunning. However so out of attain. At the very least I assumed so till I learn this makeover story  or this marble painted counter tutorial, from a girl 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 an enormous endeavor and new counter tops weren’t in our price range. 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 coloration change. We actually appreciated the distinction of the sunshine counters towards our darkish cupboards, so the principle 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 coloration. I additionally knew I didn’t wish to go for a granite look, like within the article. That may have been a bit too conventional for our house decor, versus the extra modern look of a stable stone.

Painted Counter tops Tutorial

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Transferring on, listed here 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 quite a lot of shades. I used a light-weight 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 seek out my base paint swatch.. should 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 (non-obligatory – I used a bigger clear glitter and a really wonderful flake for selection)
• Drop Cloths
• Painters tape
• Polyacrylic
• EnviroTex Lite
• Blow torch (really useful)
• Two containers for mixing
• Clear paint stir stick
• Gloves
• Rags or Paper Towels

And some extra important provides:
• a minimum of three days the place you may get by with no kitchen
• a buddy to assist with the sealer step
• a variety of persistence and optimism

Replace: Questioning how these painted counter tops are holding up? See Daybreak’s assessment (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 frivolously. You don’t must 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 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 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 extremely easy end.  (a daily 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 coloration 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 form of paint you employ for these coats shouldn’t matter since will probably be sealed beneath the resin end.  Select one of the best paint for you by coloration.  I prevented oil based mostly paints to keep away from yellowing.

Step 4: Non-compulsory: 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 “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 seem like any fashion of stone or end you’re keen on.  You possibly can paint veins of coloration 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 coloration. 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 hold 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 pink. It is going to 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 wish to attempt to imitate the look of granite. It could simply have been too formal for our eclectic/trendy house. As an alternative I wished a stable stone look that might be much like the inspiration pictures above, however very refined.

To get depth, I utilized the colours liberally over the entire counter. Aspect word, I wished the paints to combine for a pure stone variation impact, so I didn’t look ahead to 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 similar 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 remaining 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 trying like I’d gone a bit loopy with nail polish. DIY undertaking 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 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 make it possible for if I occurred to overlook a spot with the sealer, it could a minimum of 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, because the base coloration 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 will have a buddy 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 suppose the fumes had been horrible, though we had the doorways and home windows open for air flow, however I might advocate sporting previous 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 an additional 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).

Notice; we left the sink in place, and wrapped it with painter’s tape.  Be sure you 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 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 might recommend utilizing a straw for some aiming capacity. I assumed that route sounded a bit tedious for not understanding if it could really work as nicely, so torch it was. Dania cherished it as soon as she obtained the hold of it.

In addition to having the torch prepared for any rising bubbles, I simply saved 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 much 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 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 couple of locations we by some means missed. I suppose 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. whenever you paint your nails and check out 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 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 easy 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 problem, or utilizing solely the wonderful glitter, however suppose I can sand the extra noticeable spots down fairly simply. Right here’s an in depth up the place you possibly can really see the paint element a bit higher:

Refined, however a lot improved I feel!

Total it was positively price it, and truly form of a enjoyable undertaking. Plus it saved us lots of on new counter tops.

The EnviroTex is meant to be meals protected as soon as dry, and I’ve learn that upkeep for these will probably be much like granite.

No putting sizzling objects straight on the floor, and use cleaning soap and water, reasonably than chemical cleaners, to wipe them down, and at all times use a slicing board. It units up in about 8 hours and takes 2-3 days to harden fully.

This undertaking is also completed on rest room counter tops.

Price :

As for the associated fee for the entire undertaking, it got here in proper round $120, with nearly all of that expense being the sealer (which I purchased utilizing 40% off coupons at Passion Foyer, btw).  This undertaking was mainly a make your personal countertop paint kits – but you can purchase kits here.

Completely price it! I’m in love with our new counters and so glad I jumped and truly accomplished this undertaking.  Portray Laminate Counter tops is probably not your first thought on the subject of updating counter tops, however I extremely recommend it particularly if the price range 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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