Laminate counters are absolutely a candidate for a paint-based makeover. Most homeowners believe they have two choices: rip out their counters and start fresh or live with what they have. But there's a third option that's often best.
When you're ready to paint your countertops, get a paint kit that's made for your surface or choose a paint that's suited for the material of your countertop. Water-based acrylic paints work well for laminate counters.
Do your laminate countertops look tired, worn, or just plain ugly? You can change the color of laminate without replacing it! The process is simple, straightforward, and incredibly affordable. In the guide below, we'll explain how you can change the look of your countertops with laminate countertop refinishing.
It's possible to tile directly over laminate, and to do so you should sand the laminate, then use a special adhesive suitable for laminate, followed by fiberglass reinforced paper, then a skim coat layer of mortar. After this has dried, the tiles can then be installed in the usual way.
Painting Countertops
This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It's very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.
Transform your laminate countertops using paint — the ultimate DIYer's friend. Faux granite is one of the most forgiving of all decorative painting projects — the mottled look is easy to get using sponges and a dabbing motion, and you can just keep going until it looks right.
In short, no. No, you should not paint your countertops. You should not epoxy your countertops, you shouldn't paint your countertops, and you shouldn't pour cement on your countertops. These are all lovely solutions, but they also all require a professional to really look good.
Tip: Latex paint is recommended for laminate surface painting projects because of its durability and smooth finish.
With Rust-Oleum® Countertop Coating, you can renew laminate countertops, cabinets and furniture. Take to the paint counter and tint to one of 22 light or dark colors to coordinate with existing flooring, cabinetry, furniture, etc.
Just paint over it
You'll need to sand the surface beforehand and use countertop coating, which is a special product that can be purchased at your local home improvement store. Be sure to reach the nooks and crannies and allow enough time for each layer to dry.
Painting laminate wasn't difficult, but I did find it more time-consuming than painting wood. To sum it up, the most important steps are to sand and prime all the surfaces before painting. If you were to skip those two steps, your paint would have nothing to adhere to and would most likely peel right off.
And, with that final layer of topcoat dry, you've given a fresh new look to an old laminate countertop. The painted surface is durable, but not quite as resistant to water and scratches as the laminate, so be sure to wipe up spills quickly and avoid scratching the paint as much as possible.
A: Like most rules, there's always an exception, so YES, you can paint laminate furniture without sanding or priming IF you use the right kind of paint. You can skip the primer if you are painting laminate furniture with chalk paint.
The average lifespan of refinished countertops is 5-7 years. However, we have seen some homeowners have beautiful looking countertops a full decade after refinishing. It all depends on how much you use your counters and how well you care for them.
The Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit is a great option if you're looking to resurface ceramic or porcelain tile counters. This refinishing kit comes with a two-part epoxy-acrylic formula that can be prepped and painted within hours. Just be sure to use the whole kit within 6 hours of mixing.
Many recommend a water-based acrylic primer, paint and top coat. Acrylic paint dries to provide the hard surface needed for heavy-use areas like countertops, while water-based acrylic paint cleans up with water and is low on odors.
Covering countertops and laminate counters can be a great way to improve the look of any kitchen. One of the most popular ways to do this is using ceramic or porcelain tiles. These materials are durable and easy to clean. So, they are an ideal choice for busy kitchens.
Whether you love the classic look of square white tiles or want an affordable way to get the look of granite, tile is a great solution for covering dated laminate. If you aren't starting with a particleboard base, first install a sheet of thin cement board over your existing laminate counter.