How to Paint a Wooden Countertop

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, the place where family and friends tend to gather. This is a space that gets used morning, noon and night, so it's helpful to make it an inviting and functional room. An expanse of dull, dry wood countertops can bring down the aesthetic of the kitchen.

Painting wood countertops can change up the room and has the added bonus of also preserving the countertop. Whether you plan to paint or apply a colored stain to change up the wood countertops in the kitchen, there are a few things that need to be done to prepare the surface so that the project is completed beautifully.

Butcher block is beautiful and adds much to a kitchen decor. A wide expanse of white painted butcher block can change up a small space that is dwarfed by too much wood, patterns or textures. Painting kitchen countertops black can create a dramatic contrast in a white kitchen or when surrounded by a bank of wood cabinets.

The experts at HGTV recommend that the surface be sanded to ensure that the paint sticks well to the wooden countertop. Use a 150-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface. Wipe it down thoroughly to remove dust with a damp cloth or vacuum the surface to remove the fine dust particles before you begin to paint the countertop.

A countertop will show each brush stroke of the paint color you've chosen. When applying paint onto the countertop, use a roller and take your time to swoop the paint onto the surface in the form of a wide "W" and repeat. A good rule to get a solid and even finish is to apply three coats of paint and four coats of sealant. Allow each coat to dry overnight and up to 48 hours, which means that the countertop may not be usable for well over a week.

If you simply want to restore or change up the wooden counters, then a few coats of colored stain can create a warm tone to a bland expanse of butcher block countertop. To truly transform traditional butcher block countertops, apply a wood conditioner onto the freshly sanded wood before rolling on the stain. Tung oil works well to keep the butcher block countertop in good condition and water-resistant. It further enhances the natural color of the wood and highlights the grain as well.

A painted countertops' durability is better with a protective coating. A sealant that is specifically made for countertops that are painted will last longer and hold up to the activity in a busy kitchen. Roll on the sealant after the paint has had an opportunity to thoroughly dry. Allow the sealant to dry overnight before calling the project complete. It can take days and up to a week for the countertop to be thoroughly dried and cured, depending on the number of coats and the brand of paint and sealant.