Best Method to Paint Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are one of the simplest and cheapest options for kitchen countertops. They are very easy to clean and maintain. However, using them for several years, make them appear a little dull and worn out. There is no need to worry, as they can be easily painted to give a completely fresh and clean look to your kitchen without spending much. Many still doubt the possibility of painting laminate countertops successfully, but this can be easily done and you can do it yourself at home. It is very important to prepare and clean the countertops properly before painting them.

Painting Laminate Countertops

Before painting, you must do a proper clean-up. You can use an ammonia-based mild cleaner for cleaning them. For removing sticky grease, a degreaser product can be applied. Follow it with an alcohol wash, to completely remove the oil and stains from the surface. After cleaning, dry the countertops thoroughly, with paper towels.

The second step is to sand the laminate countertops with a sandpaper, as this will facilitate the absorption of the primer and the paint. Sanding etches the surface and helps the paint and the primer to stick better. Once this is done, clean the countertops to remove dust and debris. Now, again wash them with alcohol and dry out entirely.

The next step is to apply a primer. For choosing a right primer for your countertops, you can take the advice of an expert in this field. The odor of some primers can be really strong and therefore, carry out the entire process in a well-ventilated room. The primer usually requires almost 24 hours to dry and once it dries out completely, you can apply paint on your laminate countertops.

For painting your laminate countertops, you can use either an oil-based or a water-based paint. Choose a color that resembles the color and patterns of your flooring, wall and appliances. If you use your kitchen countertops directly for preparing food, then it is advisable to use a water-based paint. Oil-based paints can contain certain harmful chemicals, which may come in contact with the food. For painting the countertops, it is usually suffices to apply 2 or 3 coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next one.

Allow the paint dry completely before applying sealers to give a finishing touch to your kitchen countertops. Water-based sealers are ideal, if you do not want to change the color of the paint. You can use 3 to 4 coats of satin or high gloss polyurethane, which will give an attractive and long-lasting glaze to your kitchen countertops. Now, allow the sealer to dry completely, which usually takes about 24 hours.

It will take some time before you can use your kitchen again. However, you will definitely not repent your decision after observing that these newly painted countertops have completely altered the look of your kitchen. Remember, it is equally important to keep these countertops clean from dust and stains, so that they can retain their lustrous shine for a long time.