You might think that replacing your old countertops with a luxurious stone, like granite or marble, is your only choice if you don’t like them. Furthermore, even though these choices can raise the value of your house, they are costly and high maintenance. A cheap and easy option to update an outdated kitchen or bathroom if an expensive replacement is out of your price range is to paint your countertops.
When considering an improvement, painted countertops are unquestionably a good option, but there are a few things you should know before moving further.
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Benefits of Painting Countertops
Paint is an affordable way to give a dated but functioning laminate or tile countertop a new look. This is a reasonably easy do-it-yourself project that doesn’t require any specialized power tools. Additionally, you have more alternatives than you would if you were choosing a new countertop material because there are so many paint colors to choose from.
This is also among the least expensive options to update your bathroom or kitchen. Even while high-quality primer, paint, and sealer will cost you money, you can do this project for a lot less than the cost of brand-new worktops.
Reasons Not to Paint a Countertop
There are a few things to think about when you go to the hardware shop to choose your paint. Before beginning, check with the professionals at your neighborhood paint store about whether or not your countertop can be painted. Remember that this is a labor-intensive project that will require you to stop using the restroom or kitchen until the top coat and paint have dried fully.
Although paying someone to complete the work would increase the project’s cost, a professional will probably be able to finish it faster. Before you commit, compare the expense of hiring a professional to that of replacing the countertops with granite or laminate if you’re not sure in your ability to do it yourself.
Should You Paint Your Kitchen Countertops
Decide If It’s Worth the Risk
You might want to wait before picking up a can of paint if you are content enough with your current countertops to live with them. Paint removal off countertops is almost impossible, so determine whether the issue is with the countertop itself or whether there is another, simpler solution.
The same old countertop may feel brand new by painting the walls, replacing the lights, and repainting the cabinets. Granite, laminate, and tile countertops can all be painted, but before you paint, consider if you want to take the chance of damaging your current surface in the event that the process doesn’t go as expected.
Choose the Right Paint
When the time comes to paint your countertops, select a paint that is appropriate for the material of your countertop or get a paint kit designed specifically for your surface. Laminate counters respond well to acrylic paintings with a water base.
Granite and tile counters respond well to epoxy coatings after the surface has been primed, cleaned, and worn down. When in doubt, examine the paint’s container before purchasing it, and while you’re at the paint store, don’t forget to pick up safety gear like a mask and eyeglasses.
Get the Surface Ready
You should prepare the countertop surface, regardless of kind, to improve paint adhesion. Before using any type of primer, give the countertop a thorough cleaning (using more than just soap and water). Degreasing countertops is crucial, especially those that are close to the sink or stove.
Before painting, get rid of any accumulated dirt, grease, and oil. To clean the countertop, use a kitchen cleaner or detergent; stay away from ammonia-based cleaners for granite or laminate surfaces.
Make careful to fix any damage before sanding the surface to get a smooth finish if you want your laminate counter to look better. When working with granite, etch the surface before painting it for better results. Eliminate any surplus or dust. Prior to applying primer, ensure the surface is completely dry.
Primer-coat the surface
Use a paint roller to uniformly apply a priming coat to your counters before painting. For the finest primer application, read the manufacturer’s labeling. With this white base bonding color, you can be confident that any underlying colors will be covered up by your brand-new paint job. Ascertain adequate airflow and let it dry for the entire night.
Put on Paint
Apply two thick coats of paint on the countertop using a roller. To ensure that the finished surface is free of lumps and bubbles, apply thicker paints (such as epoxy) uniformly. Prior to applying a second coat, let the first coat completely dry. Additionally, make sure you follow the directions on the paint container to allow enough drying time in between coats. A few days should pass before applying a top coat to seal the second coat. Let it dry completely.
Apply a Resin or Top Coat to seal
After the paint dries, you’ll need to apply a glossy resin or top coat to seal the surface. To make sure the countertop lasts a long time, you should apply two coats, albeit the type of top coat you use depends depend on the original surface. It is generally not recommended to use your space before the 14-day total cure time for countertop paint projects.
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