If you don’t have money to replace your countertops, one of the best ways to improve their look is painting them. What kind of paint do you use on countertops?
Well, there are plenty of paints on the market you can go for. They include:
Water-based acrylic paints
Whether you want to paint bathroom or kitchen countertops, you can use water-based acrylic paints. The beauty of the paints is that they are highly convenient to use as you can easily clean any messes you make using water without leaving any odor behind.
After applying the topcoat, the paint will take 14 days to cure fully. This means that you will have to stay away from the countertops or be gentle in how you use them.
Water or oil-based latex house paint
Latex paints are known for their low cost, so if you are operating on a tight budget, these are the best to go for.
Textured spray paint
They are easy to use and highly cost-effective, making them a great addition to your arsenal. You also don’t need to use a primer and topcoat to increase their strength and durability.
Two-part water-based epoxy
This paint can be highly intimidating, especially as a first-time DIY. This is because you have to mix the two paint components.
The cool thing is that if you are used to the paint, you will easily mix the two.
The paint components take only four days to cure to full hardness, and you don’t need a primer.
As you apply the epoxy, you should note that the fumes tend to be too harsh, so be cautious and properly ventilate the area you are working on. Going for brands with lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) also doesn’t hurt.
There is no right or wrong paint to use on your countertops—it all depends on your preferences and budget.
What should you consider when choosing the paint to use on your countertops?
Location of the countertops: Are the countertops in the kitchen or bathroom? If they are in the kitchen and you have many people living with you, it means they are heavily trafficked, and you need to use durable paint.
In such a case, the best paint to use is an acrylic paint that tends to dry extremely hard and is good for your countertops. To increase the hardness, use a resin topcoat.
Color of the countertops: It goes without saying that you need to use paint that complements the color of the countertops. In most cases, you will need to hire a professional to help with this.
Desired finish: Do you want a smooth or textured finish? If you want a textured one, you will need to use three or four different paint colors, but one color is enough if you want a smooth finish.
Odor: While it seems like a useless factor, it’s important to consider. If you are asthmatic or you can’t stand strong smells, it’s wise you go with water-based acrylic paints as they have a low odor.
Even when using the low odor paints, turn on the fan and open the windows.
Valuable countertop painting tips
You need to consider several countertop painting tips to get the best results. These tips include:
Remove all the chips and scratches: If your countertops are buckling or peeling, you should smoothen them to remove any chips or scratches that might be present. One of the best tools to use for the work is fine-grit sandpaper.
You should sand the entire countertop, including the edges and backsplash. The purpose of doing this is to remove any rough spots and create a nice smooth surface for the paint to adhere to.
Protect the areas you don’t want to paint: To prevent the paint from spreading to the areas you don’t want, use painter’s tape to protect them. These include the walls, taps, sinks, floor, and cabinets.
Use a smooth foam roller: Instead of a brush that will leave streaks on your precious granite or marble countertops Raleigh, use a foam roller.
Just like the walls, first, apply the primer, then let it fully dry and harden before you apply paint. You should then let it fully dry for at least four hours before applying the second layer.