Painting my kitchen countertops was an affordable way to give them a fresh look, and the project was perfect for my skill level. In this article, I’ll show you how to paint your kitchen countertops, helping you avoid common mistakes.
When I was researching how to update kitchen countertops without replacing them, I came to the conclusion that painting them was the easiest and least expensive option to achieve the look I wanted.
| Project Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate Estimated Time to Complete: 2 to 4 hours Drying Time: Depending on surface 12 to 24 hours Project Cost: $200 to $400 |
Project Supplies
| • Drop cloths or plastic sheets • Gloves • Eye protections • Mask • Mixing sticks • Plastic cups or small containers • Painters pan • Painters tape | • Putty knife • Fine to medium sandpaper or chemical sander • Degreaser or heavy-duty cleaner • Bonding primer • Urethane base paint or epoxy • Foam paint rollers in several sizes • Paint brushes for edges and corners • Top coat/sealer |
How to Paint Your Kitchen Countertops (in 5 Steps)
1. Choose Primer and Paint
Each countertop material is unique. You will need to choose a primer and paint combo that will be able to adhere to the surface of your countertop.
I chose a two-part epoxy paint for my laminate counters, but epoxy is a great choice for painting tile, formica, concrete, laminate and wood surfaces.
| Countertop Material | Recommended Paint Type | Additional Notes |
| Laminate/Formica | Epoxy or urethane-based | Use a bonding primer |
| Wood/Fiber Board | Acrylic latex with sealer | Must seal with Polyurethane |
| Tile | Epoxy | Paint and seal grout lines |
| Concrete | Urethane or epoxy | Concrete sealer |
2. Prep Countertops for Paint
No matter the material, prepping countertops starts with a thorough cleaning and degreasing, especially near cooktops, followed by repairing any chips or cracks, and making sure the surface is ready to accept primer and paint.
Clean/Degrease – Cleaning and degreasing is easier than you might think, and it is an essential step to helping paint stick to your countertops.
- How I Did It: Use a putty knife or sharp tool to remove caulk or silicone in edges and seams. I prepped my countertops for paint by washing with soap and water, then I used a kitchen-safe commercial degreaser. I made sure to wear gloves and I followed the instructions on the bottle.
Repair – Fix any chips or cracks with patch filler and a putty knife focusing on edges, which is where most damage occurs.
- My Tip: I also relied on the self-leveling epoxy paint to smooth out the smaller scratches and imperfections.
Surfaces – Prep your countertops so that paint and primer will stick and primer and paint will last longer.
- How I Did It: I lightly sanded the surface with 200-grit sandpaper.
My Tip: Sanding creates fine dust that gets everywhere, so cover appliances and surfaces to keep your kitchen functional.
3. Apply Primer and Paint
Applying primer and paint is a pretty easy process and takes just a few simple steps.
Steps to Apply Primer:
- Use painter’s tape to protect sink edges, cooktops, and backsplash areas.
- Use a foam roller or paintbrush to apply high-adhesion primer.
- Once the primer is dry, lightly sand with 220-grit sandpaper.
- Wipe away dust with a damp cloth and let dry.
Steps to Apply Paint:
Before you begin painting, here are some steps to take to protect your floors, cabinets and fixtures.
Protect
- Place plastic or cardboard on your floors in case any paint drops off the edge.
- Use plastic sheeting and painters tape to protect cabinets below countertops.
- If you don’t want to remove your sink, use painter’s tape to protect edges.
Paint
- Use a painter’s pan or by pouring paint along the middle of the counter.
- Using a foam roller to produce a smooth even layer along the surface.
- Work toward the edges and backsplash, then roll any paint left on the foam roller along the edges and fronts.
- Check for drips on the underside of your countertops, remove any drip along the edges as paint is curing/drying. A paint brush works best for brushing away drips as paint is drying.
See Related: How to Remove Paint Drips
4. Seal the Painted Surface
The sealing step is not always necessary, but it is recommended. Skipping this step may lead to faster wear and your painted surfaces won’t last as long.
- How I Did It: I used a high-gloss urethane sealer and applied it about 24 hours after the paint had cured and dried.
My Tip: if you apply top coat sealant after a few days to weeks you will need to rough up the surface with a 200-grit sandpaper to help the urethane hold to the counter providing maximum protection to your newly painted surfaces.
FAQ About Painting Kitchen Countertops
Cleaning and maintaining painted countertop surfaces is super easy, as they are more durable than you might think.
My Tip: Use soap, water or a gentle, non-abrasive surface cleaner and your painted countertops should last for years.
Paint is a good choice for almost all types of kitchen countertop surfaces. Some surfaces like slate, or soapstone may not accept paint well and would need more prep before a painting than other types of countertops.
In general, with the right primer and paint, almost all kitchen countertops can be painted to be durable and long lasting. Paint is a great way to transform tile, wood, laminate, solid surface counters, and even granite countertops.
If you prep, prime and seal painted surfaces painted countertops can last in high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathroom counters for 10 to 15 years. Make sure to protect countertops from scratches by using cutting boards and trivets and by using nonabrasive cleaners.
My Tip: Resealing every few years will help your painted countertops last longer.
DIY or Hire a Pro to Paint Your Kitchen Countertops
Painting my countertops was an easy, cost-effective way to give my kitchen a fresh, updated look. With just a few simple steps, I achieved a stylish finish.
But not everyone has the time, the will, or the skill to tackle painting kitchen countertops. If you’d rather not deal with all of this, hire a painter near you to give your kitchen countertops a fresh coat and new look.
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Main Image Credit: Decorative Concrete Kingdom / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
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