Shiny Painted Kitchen Counter High Tutorial

Submitted by Designing Daybreak

Oh my goodness, I’m so excited to share this kitchen counter tops mission and see what you suppose. It was an enormous one and perhaps the primary time I’ve accomplished one thing to our dwelling that I used to be really 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, residing 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 previous counters actually weren’t horrible (particularly contemplating that our toilet counter is laminate magenta) however they weren’t nice both. They actually really 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 have been cracked in locations. Oh and silver steel edging for that additional one thing particular. On a more in-depth shot you will get a little bit higher concept of what we have been working with.

I had resigned myself to the thought that they may very well be worse, and set a maybe-someday purpose of recent strong floor counter tops. It’s not like we now have any scarcity of different initiatives to give attention to or any surplus of funds in spite of everything. However desires of one thing like this stored floating via my thoughts:

So stunning. However so out of attain. Not less than I believed so till I learn this makeover story  or this marble painted counter tutorial, from a girl who painted her previous 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 price range. 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 drag 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 little bit too conventional for our dwelling 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 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 seek 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 (non-obligatory – I used a bigger clear glitter and a really nice 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 buddy to assist with the sealer step
• numerous 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 must go loopy right here, however a lightweight 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 the whole lot down, I wiped them down once more completely to eliminate any residue from sanding. Then I lined the whole lot 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 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 persistence is on my record of provides?) It was already beginning to look higher.

The type of paint you employ for these coats shouldn’t matter since will probably be sealed underneath the resin end.  Select the very best paint for you by shade.  I prevented oil based mostly paints to keep away from yellowing.

Step 4: Non-obligatory: 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” significantly. 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 can also make the counters appear to be any model of stone or end you’re keen on.  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 wished sharper edges than I knew I’d get sponge portray, so as a substitute I used plastic grocery luggage (which we at all times 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 purple. It is going to bleed when blended with different paint)

I selected a lightweight 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/fashionable dwelling. As a substitute I wished a strong stone look that might be much like the inspiration images above, however very refined.

To get depth, I utilized the colours liberally over the entire counter. Aspect observe, I wished 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 have been on and nonetheless damp, I lined the whole lot 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 method 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 remaining layer of dabbed grey base paint to extend the subtlety and one other dusting of glitter. (can’t cease…received’t cease)

By this time, my hand was trying like I’d gone a little bit loopy with nail polish. DIY mission 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 guarantee 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 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 (persistence persistence) I began mixing up the Enviro Tex Lite sealer- that is the highest coat. I actually recommend that for those who use these items, 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 have been horrible, though we had the doorways and home windows open for air flow, however I might advocate 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 one more minute. Then instantly pour liberally onto the counters and unfold it out, letting it drip over the perimeters so you may clean 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.  You’ll want 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 blended 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 capability. I believed that route sounded a little bit tedious for not figuring out if it could really work as effectively, so torch it was. Dania liked it as soon as she bought the hold 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 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 really 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 by some means missed. I suppose 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 blended. You understand while you paint your nails and check out 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 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 end up fairly as glassy clean because the floor. Due to gravity and drips, the backsplash has type 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 nice glitter, however suppose I can sand the extra noticeable spots down fairly simply. Right here’s an in depth up the place you may really see the paint element a little bit higher:

Delicate, however a lot improved I believe!

Total it was positively price it, and really type of a enjoyable mission. Plus it saved us lots of on new counter tops.

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

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

This mission is also accomplished on toilet counter tops.

Price :

As for the price for the whole mission, 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 Interest Foyer, btw).  This mission was principally 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 mission.  Portray Laminate Counter tops will not be your first thought relating 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 resolve 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 revealed 2-2-12 Up to date 5-3-23

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