Whether you have wooden, laminate, or any other countertop materials, painting the countertops will save you a lot of money, as you don’t have to undertake countertop replacement.
Painting the countertops also goes a long way towards improving their look and that of the entire kitchen, not to mention making the kitchen appear hygienic.
How do you paint countertops? Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Find the right colors
Begin with choosing the right paint colors for your countertops. Of course, this will be heavily influenced by your taste and desired look. If you love granite, find a color that matches your desired granite color.
If you have never painted before, this is the time to practice how to paint. Thankfully, painting is easy, and you can get a handle on it within a short time. You simply need to buy extra paint and find a blank canvas, and practice.
Step 2: Prep the surface
If you have been using your countertops, they are definitely dirty, and you need to clean and degrease them. Besides doing this, you have to sand the surfaces to provide a larger surface area for the paint to adhere to. First, use 150-grit sandpaper, then go over it with a 220-grit paper.
Once you have done this, tape off the walls, around the sink, and under the counters to prevent the paint from getting there.
To ensure that your countertops are immaculate, wipe down the surfaces with paint thinner.
Some of the other things you should do to prepare the surfaces include:
- Remove any caulking around the countertops. One of the best tools to use for the job is an Exacto knife and screwdriver. When removing caulking, take care not to gauge your drywall.
- Plug the faucet holes with proper towels or something that will prevent the paint from going down the openings.
- Remove the drain and faucet.
- Keep the kitchen area well ventilated by keeping the windows open and, if possible, place a box fan in the window pointing the outside to suck the fumes out. When painting, wear a respirator to avoid inhaling the fumes.
- Place a baggie over the drain pipes and secure it with a rubber band to prevent the sewer gas from coming into the room.
Step 3: Prime the surface
Priming the surface simply means applying the primer on the surface. This prepares the surfaces for the paint, so you are more likely to get ideal results. For the best outcome, you might have to apply at least two coats of the primer.
Step 4: Paint the countertops.
Once the surfaces are properly primed, now it’s time to paint them. How do you do it? If you had practiced earlier, you will have an easier time painting the surfaces.
Begin with dipping a sponge in the paint and apply it on the countertops. Start painting from the smallish section of the countertops, then step back and look at it. Do you like how it looks? If you do, proceed and cover the entire countertop surface. For the best outcome, you might have to apply two paint coats on the countertops.
Step 5: Seal the countertops.
To lock the paint in place, you might have to seal it. There are plenty of sealing products you can use, and all you need to do is choose the most appropriate for your surfaces. The sealer you choose should be tough such that you can’t easily remove it by water. It also shouldn’t have an off-putting smell.
Step 6: Re-caulk
It’s always recommended that you wait at least 24 hours before doing anything with your countertops.
After 24 hours, re-caulk around the edges to prevent water from settling into the spaces between the counter and wall. Use bath and kitchen waterproof caulk for the best outcome and the caulking to last for a long time.
When applying the caulk, you should note that it’s not only about the caulk doing its work—it also needs to look good. Some of the tips to make this possible include:
- Wear a latex glove
- Caulk the edges
- Dip a gloved finger in the water and run it over the wet caulking. The purpose of doing this is to give the caulk a smooth finish.
- If you find it hard to properly caulk the kitchen countertops NC, hire a professional to help you out.