How to Refinish Laminate Countertops

Do you have a kitchen or bathroom that you walk into that you see home improvement jobs popping out of the wood works. If you can't even get through preparing one meal without looking at all the nicks in your laminate countertop then maybe it is time for a resurfacing job. You don't have to take out a loan and remove the laminate countertop to make it shine.

Things You'll Need

• Trisodium phosphate
• Sandpaper
• Painter's tape
• Oil-based primer/sealer
• Oil-based paint in three colors: One base and two accents
• Sea sponge
• Oil-based polyurethane
• Paper towels
• Paintbrushes
• Rubber gloves
• Rags

Instructions

1. Start by preparing your work surface. You will be working with oil so if removing, refinishing, and installing are not your thing leave the countertop where it is and cover everything. Cover the floors and tape up painter's canvas cloths to the cupboards. Tape off any other areas like the wall and any adjoining mirrors.

2. You will need to clean off the entire top with trisodium phosphate. Be sure to cover your hands for less healing time between home improvement jobs. Sand down the area to rough up the surface so that it will accept the paint. Wipe or vacuum away any excess dust.

3. Apply your oil based primer and allow a drying time of 24 hours. Then paint your base color over the top of the primer and allow drying time until surface is no longer tacky. Most home improvement stores will have a color scheme that includes a base and two accents that will fit right into the current colors of the room that the counter goes in.

4. Next apply your first accent color; it should be the darker of the two that you have left. To add a little bit of visual texture apply the two accent colors with a sponge dabbing it into a towel or paper towel to remove excess paint before laying it to the counter. Apply the darker paint and allow drying time. Then apply the lighter color mixing in the pattern with the sponge.

5. Finish the whole surface off with a non-yellowing top coat. Allow it to set an additional 24 hours and remove tape and drop cloths. No one will ever know that you didn't take out a home improvement loan and replace your laminate countertops.

Tips & Warnings

• You might want to keep an oil paint solvent on hand.

• Allow proper drying time and vent the area.