Painting Kitchen Countertops

Painting kitchen countertops is a great way to add flair to your kitchen. With this project you don’t need to remove all of these countertops if they are out of date. If you want a stunning job with minimal fuss, it’s recommended that you hire an expert in painting kitchen countertops. With his assistance he can make your kitchen look beautiful and modern during the weekend.

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Items needed

Hercules kitchen (Photo credit: mahinui)

A contractor who is an expert in painting kitchen countertops has all the materials needed for the project. The advantage of hiring a professional is that you don’t have to worry about the materials. If you do this on your own you have to purchase the needed items, which are: Trisodium phosphate, primer, Melamine paint, Polyurethane paint, water-resistant paint roller, and painter’s tape. And because you’re not aware of the steps in painting kitchen countertops, you might end up with the wrong materials – and you’ll end up buying another again. This mistake can cost hundreds of dollars.
An expert in painting kitchen countertops also has personal protective equipment on hand, such as a paint-proof suit, goggles and rubber gloves. If you did this on your own you’ll probably suit up with dirty overalls, which absorb paint – a stain which is hard to remove.

Painting kitchen Countertops

Formica and laminate countertops are easy to clean, that’s why a lot of old homes have it in their kitchens. They’re also resistant to moisture and abrasion, that’s why they last longer than other countertops.
If you have these outdated countertops and you think that they cramp up your style, you need not purchase a new set. Instead, you can save money just by hiring a contractor who is proficient in painting kitchen countertops. The labor fee is comparably cheaper than replacing your countertops.
Countertops made of Formica and laminate will be receptive to new paint once they have been sanded well. And because they’re still made of an easy-to-clean material, cleaning it can be done with just soap and water.
An expert in painting kitchen countertops can also revamp countertops made of wood. While you can perform the task yourself, it’s recommended to hire a professional especially if you’re dealing with mineral and granite.

What to expect

Engineered stone countertops, consisting of quartz particles with plastic binder and coloring agents. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Want to know what will happen once you’ve hired an expert in painting kitchen countertops? These are the things you can expect from a seasoned professional.
The first step on painting kitchen countertops is cleaning. You need to help your contractor get rid of all the appliances and items that clutter your countertop. He will then cover the floors with industry-grade drop cloth to prevent spill and drip marks.
Once he has cleaned the countertops, he will make use of Trisodium Phosphate or TSP, which is used by professionals to get rid of grease that keeps the paint from adhering to surfaces. After brushing them, he will clean the countertops with an alcohol wash right after. He will dry the surface well, without putting his fingerprints on the newly-washed countertops.
If he is painting kitchen countertops such as Formica countertop, he will make use of acetone or lacquer thinner instead. Because these solvents are flammable, you need to help him in providing proper ventilation in your kitchen. Make sure your stoves, ovens and microwave ovens are unplugged. As for a laminated countertop, he will use a Xylol cleaner.
With 150-grit sandpaper, he will rough up to the surface so the primer and paint can stick better. He will cleanse it again with another alcohol wash.
If there are cracks or holes in your countertops, he will apply a sealant before proceeding with painting kitchen countertops with primer.
Once the surfaces are smooth and crack-free, he apply bonding primer (100% acrylic) on the clean countertops. This primer enables the paint to stick to the otherwise non-porous countertops. If you do this on your own, chances are you’ll end up with paint that won’t stick on your countertops. But if you hire an expert in painting kitchen countertops, he’ll surely apply paint that will last for your tears. After applying the primer, he will dry it for 24 hours before proceeding with painting kitchen countertops.

Paints used for countertops

Once the primer is dry, an expert will proceed with painting kitchen countertops. Professionals usually use Melamine paint. While it’s not as affordable as other paints, it’s cheaper compared to the cost you will incur if you replace your countertops. He will apply Melamine paint with the use of a brush or a smooth-coat roller. These items are recommended for painting kitchen countertops. He will then dry the paint for another 24 hours.
For Formica countertops, expect him to use Epoxy paints (two coats) with the use of a soft-bristle paintbrush.
The common mistake that DIYers do is that they use oil-based paints. This costly mistake is something a professional will surely avoid.
Apart from Melamine paint, experts can also use water-based materials for painting kitchen countertops. He will apply 3 coats of polyurethane after painting kitchen countertops with your paint of choice. He will dry each coat before applying a new one.

Various styles of painting kitchen countertops

The CounterTop David Made (Photo credit: philipyk)

A professional in just a short span of time can do painting kitchen countertops artistically. If you don’t want plain, boring colors, you can ask the expert to whip up creative countertop designs. With his ingenuity, talent and experience, he can make it look like you have a kitchen with expensive granite toppers.
He will paint the countertops with the base coat of your choice, at least two to three coats. He will dry each coat before painting another one. He can make use of a painter’s tape or a regular sponge to give you the countertop style you fancy.
Painting kitchen countertops is something best left to the hands of professionals. He can complete the project in half the time. So if you want beautiful countertops without replacing them and buying new styles, then all you need to do is call a painting professional right away.