Laminate countertops are designed for their durability and affordability. They will last for years with little care, and don’t need polishing or resurfacing like other materials. They also look the same for their entire lifespan. This may not be appealing as you change your home’s décor with the current fashions. Many people believe that you can’t paint your laminate countertops because the paint won’t stick. This is only partly true. Most paint will not stick to laminate for any length of time. However, if you use the right paint and prepare the surface properly, painting countertops can be done and can last for years.
Painting Countertops: Step 1
Start by hand sanding the laminate’s surface with 80-grit sandpaper. Work at the surface until all the shine is gone and it looks rough. Be careful not to sand any one area too deeply or the counter will be uneven.
Painting Countertops: Step 2
Next, wash the counter with trisodium phosphate (TSP) to remove any further dust or residue. Rinse it with plain water and dry carefully before proceeding.
Painting Countertops: Step 3
Stir an adhesion primer with a stir stick and pour it into a paint tray. Spread the primer evenly over the counter you are painting with a sponge roller that has a thin nap. The ideal primer will be an adhesion epoxy primer, but if you can’t find one use an adhesion primer designed for slick surfaces like laminate. You can have the primer tinted to match your paint for a richer color.
Painting Countertops: Step 4
After the primer has cured according to the package instructions, apply a coat of epoxy paint over it. Use a sponge roller like you did with the primer. Allow it to cure, and then apply a second coat. After you have finished applying the second coat, run the sponge roller across the surface from left to right so all the paint is lying in the same direction. This gives the paint an even look. If you want, you can use a painting technique, such as sponging or stencilling, to give the counter some texture. This requires using more than one color.
Painting Countertops: Step 5
When the second coat has cured, rub a polyurethane topcoat over the counter using a rag. The topcoat will go on cloudy and dry clear. It dries in less than five minutes. After it has dried, repeat the application until you have four or five coats of polyurethane on the counter. Leave it to cure for at least 12 hours before using the surface.
What Products Can I Use for Professional Countertop Painting Results?
If you want to do some countertop painting that will fool your visitors into thinking that you have Granite Countertops, there are currently a handful of great products on the market that will give you these results. Currently two major brands that offer products to help you achieve amazing looking painted countertops. They are Rust-oleum and Giani. While they both have their pros and cons, Giani is the cheaper of the two options and Rust-Oleum is more recognized and trusted brand.
Despite using quality products when painting countertops, the counter is still vulnerable to wear and tear. When cleaning it, use only non-abrasive cleaners and a soft cloth. Avoid spilling any food that will stain the paint and wipe up spills quickly. By keeping the counter as clean as possible, you won’t have to scrub it and the paint will last a lot longer.