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Submitted by Designing Daybreak
Oh my goodness, I’m so excited to share this kitchen counter tops venture and see what you suppose. It was an enormous one and possibly the primary time I’ve accomplished one thing to our residence 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 looking at it. So shiny… As for a way i acquired from A to B, the main points 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I’ve to confess, the outdated counters actually weren’t horrible (particularly contemplating that our rest room counter is laminate magenta) however they weren’t nice both.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 little 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 metallic edging for that further one thing particular. On a more in-depth shot you will get a little bit higher thought of what we had been working with.
I had resigned myself to the thought that they might be worse, and set a maybe-someday purpose of latest strong 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 via 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I assumed so till I learn this makeover story or this marble painted counter tutorial, from a lady who painted her outdated counter tops. I instantly determined I needed to strive it. However I used to be nervous. In spite of everything, 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, 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 preferred the distinction of the sunshine counters towards our darkish cupboards, so the primary purpose 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 need to go for a granite look, like within the article. That will have been a little bit too conventional for our residence decor, versus the extra modern look of a strong stone.
Painted Counter tops Tutorial
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Shifting 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 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 search out my base paint swatch.. should have been left at Lowes, however I’ll attempt to dig up the precise title 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:
• no less than three days the place you will get by with no kitchen
• a buddy to assist with the sealer step
• quite a 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 should 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!) offers the paint a greater floor to stay to.
Step 2: Paint on Primer
As soon as I had sanded all the things down, I wiped them down once more completely to eliminate any residue from sanding. Then I lined all the things with the primary coat of paint, a coat of primer. I recommend utilizing a small foam curler for a extremely clean 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 endurance is on my checklist 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 below the resin end. Select the perfect paint for you by shade. 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” 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 seem like any model of stone or end you’re keen on. You’ll be able to paint veins of shade 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 shade. I wished sharper edges than I knew I’d get sponge portray, so as a substitute 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’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 might simply have been too formal for our eclectic/trendy residence. As a substitute I wished a strong 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. Facet notice, I wished the paints to combine for a pure stone variation impact, so I didn’t anticipate one to dry earlier than making use of the second.
After each of those had been on and nonetheless damp, I lined all the things 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 wanting 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 wanting like I’d gone a little bit 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 ensure that if I occurred to overlook a spot with the sealer, it will no less than 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 shade 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 for those who use these things, you have 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 suppose the fumes had been horrible, though we had the doorways and home windows open for air flow, however I might suggest carrying 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 sides so you may clean 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. Remember 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 in all probability have some air bubbles for those who’ve combined it accurately. 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 skill. I assumed that route sounded a little bit tedious for not realizing if it will truly work as properly, so torch it was. Dania beloved it as soon as she acquired the cling of it.
Apart from having the torch prepared for any rising bubbles, I simply stored a watch on the counters for drips. A couple of hours later it was fairly cheesy.
WARNINGS and Notes:
There have been some points to pay attention to if you wish to do this your self. This course of is much from excellent 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 acquired caught within the resin. Poor man.
Work in SMALL sections. There have been additionally a number of locations we one way or the other missed. I suppose 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 recognize whenever you paint your nails and take a look at to return and clean one thing as soon as it’s already set and find yourself with a gloppy mess? Hate that.) and it may be a little bit laborious 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 clean 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 feel a thicker coat of sealer or perhaps a second coat would have eradicated that subject, or utilizing solely the high-quality glitter, however suppose I can sand the extra noticeable spots down fairly simply. Right here’s an in depth up the place you may truly see the paint element a little bit higher:
Delicate, however a lot improved I feel!
General it was positively value it, and really form of a enjoyable venture. Plus it saved us a whole bunch on new counter tops.
The EnviroTex is meant to be meals protected as soon as dry, and I’ve learn that upkeep for these might be just like granite.
No putting sizzling objects straight on the floor, and use cleaning soap and water, somewhat than chemical cleaners, to wipe them down, and all the time use a chopping board. It units up in about 8 hours and takes 2-3 days to harden fully.
This venture is also accomplished on rest room counter tops.
Value :
As for the associated fee for the full venture, it got here in proper round $120, with nearly all of that expense being the sealer (which I purchased utilizing 40% off coupons at Interest Foyer, btw). This venture was mainly a make your personal countertop paint kits – however you should buy kits right here.
Completely value it! I’m in love with our new counters and so glad I jumped and really accomplished this venture. Portray Laminate Counter tops is probably not your first thought in relation to 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 determine to strive a counter makeover! I’d like to see footage!!
Questioning the way it’s holding up? Learn extra from Daybreak and different DIYers about their painted counter tops right here.
Initially revealed 2-2-12 Up to date 5-3-23
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