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 assume. It was an enormous one and possibly the primary time I’ve executed one thing to our house 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 observing 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I’ve to confess, the outdated counters actually weren’t horrible (particularly contemplating that our toilet counter is laminate magenta) however they weren’t nice both. They actually truly look a bit 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 have 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 have been working with.

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

So lovely. 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I assumed so till I learn this makeover story  or this marble painted counter tutorial, from a lady who painted her outdated counter tops. I instantly determined I needed to attempt it. However I used to be nervous. In spite of everything, it’s an enormous 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 shade 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 shade. I additionally knew I didn’t wish to go for a granite look, like within the article. That might have been a bit too conventional for our house decor, versus the extra up to date 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 high makeover of your individual:

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’ll be able to actually use no matter colours you need. I can’t appear to search 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 (elective – I used a bigger clear glitter and a really effective 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:
• at the very least three days the place you may get by with no kitchen
• a pal to assist with the sealer step
• lots 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 evenly. You don’t need to go loopy right here, however a light-weight sanding with sandpaper on a block or a padded sandpaper block, (attempt 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 thing down, I wiped them down once more completely to eliminate any residue from sanding. Then I lined every thing with the primary coat of paint, a coat of primer.  I recommend utilizing a small foam curler for a very easy 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 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 form of paint you utilize for these coats shouldn’t matter since it will likely be sealed beneath the resin end.  Select the perfect paint for you by shade.  I averted oil based mostly paints to keep away from yellowing.

Step 4: Elective: 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” 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 strong stone floor.

Step 5: Layering Colours for Added Dimension

This step is the place you may make the counters appear like any fashion of stone or end you like.  You’ll be able to paint veins of shade to make it appear 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 shade. 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 purple. It would 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 might simply have been too formal for our eclectic/trendy house. As an alternative I wished a strong stone look that might be just like the inspiration images above, however very delicate.

To get depth, I utilized the colours liberally over the entire counter. Facet be aware, 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 have been on and nonetheless damp, I lined every thing once more with dabs of the unique base grey. Once more, the objective 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 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 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 make it possible for 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 an alternative of polyurethane to stop any yellowing over time, because the 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 when you use these things, you have got a pal 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 have been horrible, though we had the doorways and home windows open for air flow, however I might advocate carrying outdated 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 perimeters so you possibly can easy 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.  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 lined the entire counter, you’ll most likely have some air bubbles when you’ve combined it appropriately. You should utilize 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 potential. I assumed that route sounded a bit tedious for not understanding if it might truly work as properly, so torch it was. Dania liked it as soon as she bought 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. A number of 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 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 just a few locations we in some way missed. I assume we have 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 if 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 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 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 believe a thicker coat of sealer or perhaps a second coat would have eradicated that problem, or utilizing solely the effective 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 higher:

Delicate, however a lot improved I believe!

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

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

No inserting sizzling gadgets instantly on the floor, and use cleaning soap and water, reasonably than chemical cleaners, to wipe them down, and all the time use a reducing board. It units up in about 8 hours and takes 2-3 days to harden fully.

This undertaking is also executed on toilet counter tops.

Price :

As for the associated fee for the overall undertaking, 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 Pastime Foyer, btw).  This undertaking was mainly a make your individual 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 really accomplished this undertaking.  Portray Laminate Counter tops will not be your first thought in the case of 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 attempt 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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