Thursday, November 24, 2011

How to Refurbish a Countertop

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Outdated countertops are expensive to replace, especially if you are considering using a material such as granite. Instead of taking the time to tear out your current countertop and replace it with an expensive new one, consider refurbishing it with paint. Countertop kits, which help you apply a faux granite finish for a fraction of the cost and labor of installing a new countertop, are available at local home improvement stores.

Difficulty:Moderately EasyDrop clothPainter's tapeSandpaperBucket of soapy waterClean washclothsPrimerCountertop paint kit with or without decorative flakesSmall paintbrushPaint roller1

Remove all items from the countertops. Place drop cloths on the floor and use painter's tape to cover areas where the countertops meet the walls, sink borders and other areas that may be exposed to the paint.

2

Sand the surface of the countertop to remove any glossy finish or imperfections. Don't sand the surface hard enough to create lines or imperfections; only sand to remove or tarnish the glossy finish so the paint will stick.

3

Wash the countertops with warm, soapy water and wipe them dry with a clean washcloth. Allow the countertops to air-dry for an hour.

4

Apply a coating of primer to the countertops' surface if the material is wood or metal; laminate and vinyl do not require a primer coating.

5

Prepare the paint kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Stir the paint well to make sure the color is mixed through without streaks.

6

Using a small paintbrush, apply the paint in a thin coat to the edges and corners of each countertop. Don't apply a heavy coat of paint, which gives the countertops a thick look. Use a roller to apply paint to the remaining portions of the countertop. Allow the surface to dry for several hours, and apply a second coat if necessary.

7

Sprinkle the decorative flakes on the countertop’s surface after you have applied the desired color and coat. The surface of the countertop must be wet for the flakes to adhere. Allow the surface to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions; some decorative flakes require only an hour while others require up to 24 hours.

8

Apply the glaze or finish coat to the surface of the countertop. This will give the countertop a smooth finish and shiny coating. Give the countertops one to three days, depending on the manufacturer, to cure and dry before replacing items or using the surfaces.

Read Next:

View the original article here

1 comment:

  1. I may be selling my house within the next year and am looking at a few elements that need improvement. My laminate countertop is looking pretty sad with a scorch mark and a slight gap between the corner join of two pieces of laminate. This information will be very helpful for my plan.

    ReplyDelete