Painting Kitchen Countertops

Not everyone can afford or even wants to replace old kitchen counters. When an alternative is desired, painting kitchen countertops can deliver. This is a distinct way to enjoy a whole new look with very little expense.

Getting started with painting kitchen countertops does take a little research and elbow grease. Some kitchen counters will resist holding paint, but others offer the perfect surface. Plastic laminates and wood, for example, are ideal.

To get started with painting kitchen countertops do these things:

• Select the paints – Oil-based paints are preferred by many for painting kitchen countertops. Acrylic, water-based paints can also offer a very good choice. Oils tend to hold up a little better over time.
• Select the design – The options here are only limited by imagination. Some people who go about painting kitchen countertops only want to achieve a flat, solid finish. Others go for faux designs that mimic marble or granite. Still others prefer a solid design with stenciled add ons such as flowers. The choice is up to you, but it's a good idea to plan out the look before proceeding.
• Clean the counters – Before trying to paint kitchen countertops, it's smart to remove everything from the surface and properly clean them. They should be free of all dirt and oils before proceeding.
• Sand for better paint application – Giving the tops a light sanding and dusting after cleaning will better prepare them for paint application. When painting kitchen countertops, a medium grit paper is recommended for laminate tops. A similar grit should also work well for wood counters.
• Apply primer – It is important to use a primer coat when painting kitchen countertops. Apply and allow this coat to fully dry before moving ahead with the decorative design.
• The final touches – Once the primer is dry, it's time to make the counters look beautiful. Practice on paper for faux and stencil designs. If worse comes to worse, you can sand and start over if something goes terribly wrong.

Once you've completed your painting project, you'll want to exercise a little caution around your new countertops. Take care to avoid:

• Heat – If painting kitchen countertops is on tap, the end design will not handle heat well. Make sure to use hotplates to avoid melting or burning the paint.
• Cutting – When you go about painting kitchen countertops, the end designs will be subject to scratch damage. To avoid this, always use cutting boards instead of the countertop surface.
• Cleaning errors – Painted kitchen countertops cannot generally handle harsh abrasives. Use plain mild soap and water to clean counters as necessary.

Painting kitchen countertops is a great way to enjoy a whole new look. When the right counters are in place and the job is handled right, the outcome can be quite stunning.