How to Paint Countertops That Have a Metal Trim

Hide outdated metal trim with paint.

Painting your counter is one way to give your kitchen a low-cost makeover and camouflage an old or unattractive laminate counter top. While even a novice painter can manage to paint over a counter top with a little spare time and a few tips, a strip of metal trim along the edge of the counter complicates the project. Fortunately, you can hide the offending trim and help blend it into your counter top seamlessly.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Tape
• Spray paint
• Paint roller
• Latex paint
• Oil-based polyurethane
• Extra fine sanding sponge

Instructions

1. Cover your cabinets and floors near the counter tops with several sheets of newspaper or butcher paper. Tape the paper into place to protect these surfaces from paint over spray.

2. Spray paint the metal trim on your counter tops with a spray paint designed for use on metal surfaces. Choose a color slightly lighter than the shade you wish to paint your counter tops.

3. Apply a second coat of spray paint and wait for it to dry before you continue to the next step.

4. Paint the counter tops and the metal trim with a paint roller and latex paint in the color of your choice.

5. Apply a second coat of the latex paint when the first coat is completely dry.

6. Cover the dry paint with three coats of oil-based clear polyurethane. Let each layer of polyurethane dry completely before you begin to apply the next.

7. Sand the dry polyurethane with a wet extra fine grit sanding sponge until the painted counter top and metal trim feel smooth to the touch.

8. Remove the newspaper and butcher paper from the area.

Tips & Warnings

• You can shine your painted counter tops by rubbing a small amount of clear paste wax onto the surface with a no-scratch scrubbing pad.

References

• "Paint Saves the Day"; Lucianna Samu; 2009