Shiny Painted Kitchen Counter High 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 a giant one and perhaps the primary time I’ve accomplished 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 gazing it. So shiny… As for the way i bought 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 just a little 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 better shot you may get just a little 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 objective of recent stable floor counter tops. It’s not like we now have any scarcity of different initiatives to deal with or any surplus of funds in any case. However goals of one thing like this saved floating by means of my thoughts:

So lovely. However so out of attain. A minimum of 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 spite of everything, it’s a giant 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 colour 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 drag within the wall colour. I additionally knew I didn’t wish to go for a granite look, like within the article. That may have been just a little too conventional for our dwelling 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 deal with a counter prime makeover of your individual:

Provides and Supplies

(Not all provides are pictured)
• Paint in a wide range of shades. I used a light-weight grey Valspar in a satin end and added mild blue and darkish charcoal craft paint (You may 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 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 (advisable)
• Two containers for mixing
• Clear paint stir stick
• Gloves
• Rags or Paper Towels

And some extra important provides:
• at the least three days the place you may get by with no kitchen
• a pal to assist with the sealer step
• a number 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 flippantly. You don’t should 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 eliminate any residue from sanding. Then I coated every part with the primary coat of paint, a coat of primer.  I counsel utilizing a small foam curler for a very clean 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 colour 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 utilize for these coats shouldn’t matter since will probably be sealed beneath the resin end.  Select the very best paint for you by colour.  I prevented oil primarily based 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 “mild dusting of glitter” significantly. I did although, as a result of I needed 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 may make the counters seem like any type of stone or end you’re keen on.  You may paint veins of colour 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 colour. I needed sharper edges than I knew I’d get sponge portray, so as a substitute I used plastic grocery luggage (which we all the time 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 vivid colours of ink on them, like crimson. It should 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 dwelling. As a substitute I needed a stable stone look that might be much like the inspiration photographs above, however very refined.

To get depth, I utilized the colours liberally over the entire counter. Aspect be aware, I needed 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 method 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 last 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 just a little 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 coated all of this with a coat of polyacrylic. I did this for a few causes. One, I needed 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 needed to be sure that if I occurred to overlook a spot with the sealer, it will at the least nonetheless be considerably shiny, particularly on the backsplashes and counter edges. I used polyacrilic as a substitute of polyurethane to forestall any yellowing over time, for the reason that base colour 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 (persistence persistence) I began mixing up the Enviro Tex Lite sealer- that is the highest coat. I actually counsel that for those who use these things, you might have 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 suppose the fumes had been horrible, though we had the doorways and home windows open for air flow, however I’d suggest carrying 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 an additional 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).

Be aware; 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 coated the entire counter, you’ll in all probability have some air bubbles for those who’ve combined it accurately. 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’d counsel utilizing a straw for some aiming capacity. I assumed that route sounded just a little tedious for not understanding if it will truly work as properly, so torch it was. Dania beloved it as soon as she bought the grasp of it.

Moreover having the torch prepared for any rising bubbles, I simply saved an eye fixed on the counters for drips. A number 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 bought caught within the resin. Poor man.

Work in SMALL sections.  There have been additionally just a few 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 already know while 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 just a little arduous to see the place you’ve coated typically. 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 problem, or utilizing solely the high-quality glitter, however suppose I can sand the extra noticeable spots down fairly simply. Right here’s a detailed up the place you may truly see the paint element just a little higher:

Delicate, however a lot improved I feel!

Total it was positively value it, and really type of a enjoyable undertaking. Plus it saved us a whole bunch on new counter tops.

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

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

This undertaking is also accomplished 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 Passion Foyer, btw).  This undertaking was mainly 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 really accomplished this undertaking.  Portray Laminate Counter tops is probably not your first thought in terms of updating counter tops, however I extremely counsel 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 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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