A Stone Kitchen Countertop for Less Than $75
Remodel Your Kitchen Without Remodeling Your Bank Account
You can actually paint your kitchen countertop to look like stone. It will give a whole new feel to your kitchen, without destroying your wallet. The first thing you need, however, is practice. Look online, or at your local library, for information on faux painting. You won't even have to buy the information if you arrange matters correctly. Look through the information until you find the stone look that you like. Most tutorials of this sort will help you figure out which paint colors you will need, the brushes that will help you create the effect, and the proper technique. Then get to work on some cardboard. After all of your practice is complete, and you have succeeded in painting the cardboard to look like stone, it is time to really get down to business.
Before painting your countertop, you need to prepare the surface. Do not remove whatever you already have. The primer goes on top of your current surface. Do not skimp on this step. Even expensive primer will still result in spending less than $75 for your countertop. You should use a primer that is made especially for surfaces that are non-porous. Most home improvement and hardware stores have these types of primer. Do not be afraid to ask for help when making this purchase. You want to be sure that the primer is for non-porous surfaces. Let the primer dry thoroughly before you begin painting.
Next, it is time to paint your countertop! Do it just like you practiced with the cardboard, and allow at least 24 hours for the paint to thoroughly dry. After the paint has dried, it is time to apply four or five coats of polyurethane. Make sure that it is water-based. Again, if you want, ask the attendants at the hardware or home improvement store for help getting the right kind of polyurethane.
Your countertop is unlikely to chip with all of that polyurethane, but save some of the original paint, just in case. Then you can get rid of the chips very easily. Once the polyurethane is dry, you will be able to enjoy your countertop for years, enjoying the look of stone, knowing that you didn't have to mortgage your house to improve your kitchen.
Published by Jean Marquit
Jean is a freelance writer living the dream and working from home. When not working, she enjoys playing with her husband and their son. Reading, traveling, and playing chess are her hobbies. View profile
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- Practice on cardboard first to get the look you want.
- Priming the current surface is a very important step.
- Find information on faux painting for free at the library or online.
9 Comments
Post a CommentI would also like to see pictures of these countertops and also know the stone paint used. Where can I find this information?
I have painted two brick fireplaces. The result is simple and good looking (no one knows that the brick has been painted). First choose two colors, one for the base color of the brick and the other for the top. I used the darker color as the base color. Paint ONLY the brick with the color. Do NOT paint the concrete seams. When the base color is dry, use a rough porous sponge for the second color. Lightly dip the edge into the paint, lightly scrape off the excess on the edge of the paint can, then begin to spone onto the painted bricks. Be careful to change the position of your hand frequently, so that you don't repeat the same pattern on the bricks. Don't worry about sponging on the seams; it doesn't seem to show. Good luck.
Hi ... do you have a picture of, Stone Kitchen Countertop? Your article is great, I can't wait to try it. I have mauve counter tops ... needs to go. If you have anymore helpful hints please let me know.
By the way, have you ever painted a brick fire place?
Thanks for you help.
What a great way to devalue the equitity in your home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is exactly what I want to do. Where can I get this Product??
This proposal is exactly what I want to do
However, I can't find the special paint that. Could you give me information on trade marks of this paint that I could use ?
Gerard Croteau
Quebec City, Canada
gcroteau@megaquebec.net
Aug, 16, 2006
One other thing...If you're not going to apply a clear coat protective finish, you may want to consider using an Oil-Alkyd paint. It's the most durable paint you can get, besides 2-part epoxies, which are sometimes difficult to find and expensive.
Allow the Oil-Alkyd finish coat to cure for 7-10 days for best results and to be sure the solvents have completely been released. You may want to avoid direct contact of food with the cured finish.
Use Zinssers BIN Primer (Shellac-based). I did, and it's very tough and will accept laytex or oil-based paint. Laytex primers don't stick as well as the shellac-based. I tried them too, and they scratched off with my fingernail, even after 48 hours.
Always (1) clean, (2) scuff sand to remove gloss only (120-80 grit) and (3) thoroughly remove all dust with a tack cloth. With shellac-based primers, clean with 1-part ammonia, 3-parts water (recommended by Zinsser).
Good luck!
This is a great article... I just want to add that before primer is applied that the counter should be cleaned very well with tsp or mineral spirits to make sure no oil, dirt, or gloss is on the surface. This will give the primer a better "grip" on the counter top.