{"id":18332,"date":"2020-07-23T11:32:01","date_gmt":"2020-07-23T15:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.andiemitchell.com\/?p=18332"},"modified":"2020-07-23T11:32:04","modified_gmt":"2020-07-23T15:32:04","slug":"how-i-painted-my-kitchen-countertops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.andiemitchell.com\/how-i-painted-my-kitchen-countertops\/","title":{"rendered":"How I Painted My Kitchen Countertops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It has been one year since I painted my kitchen countertops with a DIY countertop paint kit and they still look great.<\/em> Here’s how I did it along with the best tips I’d give anyone looking to do the same. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ever since we moved into our house, I had plans to spruce up the kitchen. The floor was a deep pink tile, the Formica counters were pink, and the cabinetry, which was well-made and relatively new, was a light oak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The original kitchen when we moved in<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First, we replaced all of the floors in the entire house with new hardwood. Second, I hired someone to paint the cabinets a fresh, crisp white. Third, I rolled up my sleeves and painted the countertops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The kitchen after installing hardwood floors and painting the cabinets white<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The kitchen with painted countertops<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why did I paint my kitchen countertops?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For one, cost. We had already spent a TON of money on floors, furniture, and the house itself. But another reason is that, while I do like our kitchen as is, I\u2019m not entirely sure that someday we won\u2019t redo it (knock down the wall between the kitchen and dining room to make one larger kitchen), which would mean changing the placement of the counters completely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I had heard of people painting their counters with good results, so I researched it\u2014mostly by reading the Giani Granite<\/a><\/strong> website and watching YouTube videos of folks applying it. It seemed like something I could do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What did I use to paint my counters?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Giani White Diamond Countertop Paint Kit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I used the Giani White Diamond Countertop Paint Kit<\/strong><\/a>. The kits come in multiple colors and styles but this Whtie Diamond shade that I chose is bright, light, and cool-toned with flecks of silvery white and gray. You can buy it directly on the Giani site or here on Amazon for a slightly cheaper price<\/strong><\/a> (Amazon affiliate link). The kit includes almost everything you need to paint your counters and very detailed instructions on how to do it (read the instructions here too<\/strong><\/a>). I’d highly recommend it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s what it looks like on your countertop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Giani White Diamond Countertop Paint swatch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are the contents of the kit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contents of the Giani Countertop Paint Kit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How long does it take to paint your kitchen countertops?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With prep, priming, sponging each mineral, applying epoxy, and drying times, the whole project probably took 3 days, with 4-6 of those being active application (this amount of “active” time will vary from person to person). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How are your painted countertops holding up?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Very well. The final step of painting counters is applying a thin, protective layer of shiny epoxy. It effectively seals the paint and makes the counters more durable (less prone to chipping). In the past year, I have put these counters to the test\u2014prepping and cooking hundreds of meals, entertaining friends and family, placing all kinds of appliances on them, spilling thousands of things on them, and I\u2019ve cleaned them a million times with all kinds of products (most of which Giani would not recommend). Through all of that, they still look great. There are only a few minor knicks and dings and they’re from times when I\u2019ve dropped something relatively heavy and sharp<\/em> and the paint very slightly chipped (and when I say \u201cchip\u201d I mean there\u2019s a mark the size of the tip of a ball point pen. I haven\u2019t had any actual lifting<\/em> of paint). And even in these instances, since the look<\/em> of the counter is a faux granite (meaning it’s dimensional and includes several shades of color), it all blends right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before painting the counters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prepping the counters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Remove Caulking<\/strong>
I used a box cutter to remove the caulking around my sink and then wiped clean any sticky residue with rubbing alcohol. This step allowed me to paint as closely to the sink as possible (around and under any lips or seams). Note: You can re-caulk the area once the countertops are painted and dried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean the Counters
<\/strong>I scrubbed the counters with an SOS pad to remove any and all grease and grime. Once the area was completely scoured, I used a wet washcloth (just water on it!) to wipe down the countertops and remove any lasting residue. I wrung out the washcloth, re-wet it, and wiped every surface twice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patch Any Cracks
<\/strong>My formica had light cracks in two places so I used wood filler to patch them and fill in the area. Since the cracks I filled were fairly superficial I didn\u2019t need to sand the patched area afterward, but you may want to use a fine-grit sandpaper if your seams aren\u2019t smooth. (If you use sandpaper, be sure to wipe away any fine dust with a wet washcloth). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remove Switch Plates and Apply Painter’s Tape
<\/strong>I removed any switch plates and applied painter\u2019s tape along the edges and sides of the countertops where they intersect with cabinets and above the backsplash. Note: Use two rows of tape (one on top of another) to create an extra wide tape border on your backsplash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apply painter’s tape around the counters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Apply the Primer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One important tip for painting countertops is to paint in 2-foot wide sections at a time<\/strong>, which felt a little counterintuitive to me at first. I figured I\u2019d paint around the border of the countertops (along the backsplash and the front ledges) and then fill in the centers of the counters with paint. But I\u2019ve learned that doing this would have meant the paint dried unevenly, something you don\u2019t want when you\u2019re going for a smooth, professional finish. This will be especially important when it comes time to sponge on the mineral paint). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After applying primer to the counters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So, to begin working on ONE 2-foot section at a time, use the foam brush to paint a thin line of primer along the top and bottom of your backsplash, then roll a thin layer of primer onto the backsplash, then roll onto the counters. Move onto the next 2-foot section immediately before the paint completely dries on the previous section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once all of the countertop is primed, let it dry for 8 hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tips on Applying the Mineral Paint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n