How to Refinish a Countertop with Paint

An older countertop can be refinished with paint, and you do not need to be an expert to do it. The process is straight forward, and the outcome is rewarding. The most difficult part of the entire refinishing procedure is choosing your paint colors. Depending on the look that you are trying to achieve, you will need to purchase your paints accordingly. The best ideas for creating your countertop surface can come from doing a little leg work in the kitchen area of your local hardware store. By examining the different assortments of kitchen countertops, you can get ideas for creating a faux finish that costs considerably less than purchasing a new countertop.

Things You'll Need

• Varying colors of acrylic paint
• Primer
• Foam plates
• Sponge rollers
• Painter’s tape
• Utility knife
• Sea sponges
• Water-based polyurethane
• Glitter chips
• Fine-grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. 

   Sand the countertop thoroughly with fine-grit sandpaper. In order for the paint to adhere, the countertop surface must be completely free of its original sheen. After the sanding process is complete, vacuum the countertop to remove any loose dust that may have accumulated during the sanding process.

2. 

   Mask off all areas with painter’s tape that you do not want to be exposed. This would include the backsplash area that meets the countertop, any cabinetry, appliances and the sink. On edges where you would like a clean edge such as around the sink, the tape can be trimmed with a utility knife.

3. Spread a layer of acrylic primer onto the entire counter surface, using a sponge roller. This step will offer you a stronger adhesive surface for the paint, along with the prior sanding. Allow the primer to dry until it is no longer tacky.

4. 

   Apply your first coat of paint. For the black marble effect, a coat of black acrylic paint can be applied evenly with a sponge roller. Allow the layer of black paint to dry thoroughly, before moving on to the next step.

5. Pour a small amount of black paint, along with a little bit of white paint, into a foam plate. You will be blending these colors with a sea sponge, and the foam plate allows for easy cleanup when you are finished.

6. 

   Dip the sea sponge into the black paint, while adding a bit of white. The mixture of the paint that is applied to the sea sponge will blend in with the black layer that has already been applied to the countertop, giving the surface a marbleized appearance.

7. 

   Add a small amount of copper-colored glitter chips to the painted countertop surface. Larger-sized glitter chips can be used to give a slight shimmer to the countertop surface, creating the illusion of real marble. The glitter can be found in most craft stores.

8. Use a sponge roller to apply a thin coat of water-based polyurethane to the countertop surface once all of the paint has dried and is no longer tacky. Allow each layer of polyurethane to dry until you have achieved a luster that you are happy with. For a sleeker look, sanding in between coats with a very fine sandpaper will remove any texture left behind by the coats of paint. Allow the counter to dry after your last coat of polyurethane, before replacing your countertop items.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose paint colors that will compliment your kitchen, and use tones that will work well together. Different colors will work together to create varying colors of stone patterns.

• If you notice that your countertop is losing its luster, you can always reapply another coat of polyurethane.

• Never use oil-based polyurethane product. Oil-based sealers have the tendency to yellow, and it will show up on your countertop surface.

• Do not use your countertop as a cutting surface after you have refinished it. Although the polyurethane will protect it, knife blades will do harm to the finish.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Lowe's countertop refinishing products.