Shiny Painted Kitchen Counter High Tutorial

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 executed one thing to our residence that I used to be truly actually scared to start out. 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 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I’ve to confess, the outdated counters actually weren’t horrible (particularly contemplating that our lavatory counter is laminate magenta) however they weren’t nice both. They actually truly look slightly 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 had been cracked in locations. Oh and silver metallic edging for that additional one thing particular. On a more in-depth shot you will get slightly higher concept of what we had been working with.

I had resigned myself to the thought that they may very well 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 initiatives to give attention to or any surplus of funds in spite of everything. However goals of one thing like this saved floating by my thoughts:

So stunning. However so out of attain. At the very least I believed so till I learn this makeover story  or this marble painted counter tutorial, from a lady who painted her outdated counter tops.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 any case, it’s an enormous enterprise and new counter tops weren’t in our funds. I knew if I messed them up it was going to be, effectively, 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 primary purpose 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 need to go for a granite look, like within the article. That may have been slightly too conventional for our residence decor, versus the extra modern look of a stable stone.

Painted Counter tops Tutorial

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Shifting on, listed below are the provides you’ll want if you wish to deal with 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 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.. will need to 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 superb 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:
• no less than three days the place you will get by with no kitchen
• a pal 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 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 thing down, I wiped them down once more totally to eliminate any residue from sanding. Then I coated every thing with the primary coat of paint, a coat of primer.  I counsel utilizing a small foam curler for a extremely easy end.  (an everyday paint curler will depart 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 type of paint you employ for these coats shouldn’t matter since it is going to be sealed beneath the resin end.  Select one of the best paint for you by shade.  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 consider I simply used the phrase “mild dusting of glitter” severely. 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 appear to be any type of stone or end you like.  You’ll be able to paint veins of shade to make it appear to be marble, however I used to be going for a extra fashionable look than a tradtional marble.

My subsequent step was making use of the layers of shade. I needed sharper edges than I knew I’d get sponge portray, so as an alternative 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 shiny colours of ink on them, like crimson. It can 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 need to attempt to imitate the look of granite. It might simply have been too formal for our eclectic/fashionable residence. As a substitute I needed a stable stone look that will be just like the inspiration photographs above, however very refined.

To get depth, I utilized the colours liberally over the entire counter. Aspect observe, I needed the paints to combine for a pure stone variation impact, so I didn’t watch for one to dry earlier than making use of the second.

After each of those had been on and nonetheless damp, I coated every thing once more with dabs of the unique base grey. Once more, the purpose this entire 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 closing 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 slightly 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 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 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 needed to be sure that if I occurred to overlook a spot with the sealer, it could no less than nonetheless be considerably shiny, particularly on the backsplashes and counter edges. I used polyacrilic as an alternative of polyurethane to forestall any yellowing over time, for the reason that 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 counsel that in case you use these things, you have got a pal there to assist out. Fortunately Dania came to visit to help me right here whereas the hub was on child responsibility 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 an additional minute. Then instantly pour liberally onto the counters and unfold it out, letting it drip over the sides 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.  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 coated the entire counter, you’ll most likely have some air bubbles in case you’ve combined it appropriately. You should 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 counsel utilizing a straw for some aiming potential. I believed that route sounded slightly tedious for not realizing if it could truly work as effectively, so torch it was. Dania beloved it as soon as she bought the cling of it.

Apart from 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 that your self. This course of is way from good 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 a number of locations we by some means missed. I assume 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 realize if you paint your nails and take a look at 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 slightly exhausting 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 situation, or utilizing solely the superb glitter, however suppose I can sand the extra noticeable spots down fairly simply. Right here’s a detailed up the place you possibly can truly see the paint element slightly higher:

Delicate, however a lot improved I believe!

General it was undoubtedly price it, and really type of a enjoyable venture. Plus it saved us tons 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 can be just like granite.

No putting scorching 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 utterly.

This venture is also executed on lavatory counter tops.

Value :

As for the associated fee for the overall 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 – 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 venture.  Portray Laminate Counter tops is probably not your first thought relating to updating counter tops, however I extremely counsel it particularly if the funds 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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