How to Reglaze Countertops

Reglaze tiled countertops to bring their gloss back to like-new condition.

Countertop tiles have a glossy top coat baked on at high temperatures by the manufacturer. Over a long period of time, the glossy top coat can begin to fade and wear in spots. Since baking the top coat onto the tiles is not an option for homeowners and do-it-yourselfers, reglazing becomes necessary. Reglazing will add a high gloss to countertop tiles with the application of several coats of polyurethane. Before you apply several coats of polyurethane to the countertop tiles, you must first degloss them so the new top coat can adhere properly.

Things You'll Need

• Filter mask
• Medium-grit sandpaper pad
• Palm sander
• Shop vacuum
• Abrasive cleaner
• Scrub brush
• Sponge
• Polyurethane
• Paint stirrer
• 2 small foam brushes
• Extra-fine sandpaper
• Tack cloth (optional)

Instructions

1. Wear a filter mask and attach a medium-grit sandpaper pad to a hand-held palm sander. Turn on the palm sander and sand the entire surface of the countertop. Sanding the countertop will remove the baked-on top coat, which will etch the surface for the new top coat to adhere properly.

2. Remove all of the sanding debris, using a shop vacuum.

3. Apply an abrasive cleaner to the countertop, scrubbing well with a scrub brush. Rinse the cleaner off the countertop with clean water and a sponge. Continue to rinse with the water and sponge until all of the cleaner residue is gone. Allow the countertop to dry overnight.

4. Stir the can of polyurethane with a paint stirrer to mix it thoroughly without adding air into the contents that could create bubbles in the dried top coat.

5. Dip a small foam brush into the polyurethane and begin applying the coating onto the countertop, starting at the farthest end and working your way to the opposite side. Spread the polyurethane coating over the countertop in smooth, even strokes, brushing the gloss only on the tile. Allow the top coat to dry overnight before you proceed.

6. Sand the dried coating of polyurethane with a piece of extra-fine sandpaper in light, quick strokes. Sanding the dried top coat will aid in buffing out raised graining or slight imperfections.

7. Vacuum the sanding dust off the countertop, using the shop vacuum.

8. Use a clean foam brush to apply a second coat of polyurethane, using the same steps as before. Allow the second coat to dry overnight.

9. Buff the dried second coat with the extra-fine sandpaper as you did the first coat. Vacuum the sanding dust with the shop vacuum, and apply the third and final coat of polyurethane in the same fashion as the first and second. Allow the final coat to dry up to 72 hours before you use the countertop.

References

• Ask the Builder; How to Paint Ceramic Tile; Tim Carter