Update your kitchen or bathroom with one of these countertop paint or refinishing kits.
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Buying Countertop Paint or Refinishing Kits
Outdated or damaged countertops can be an eyesore in an otherwise attractive home, but a total replacement can be prohibitively expensive. Luckily, a fresh coat of specialized paint or a refinishing kit can provide the updated surface you’re looking for, at a fraction of the cost.
Knowing this process can be intimidating, Family Handyman editor Mike Berner tried it for himself. We documented the entire countertop refinishing kit project, from prep work to final coat, and it turned out beautifully. Note: Patience is required.
Keep these considerations in mind when choosing a countertop paint or refinishing kit:
Skill level: Although these paints and refinishing kits are all meant for DIY use, some require more skill than others. If you’re especially uncomfortable with artistic applications like sponge-painting or scattering colored chips to imitate stonework, you may want to consider products that only require paint brushes and rollers.
Carefully read the instructions and any relevant user reviews beforehand to ensure you’re not getting in over your head. If you’re unsure, consider asking a more experienced friend or relative to work with you.
Tools required: This varies with each product. If the necessary tools aren’t included in the kit, make sure you own them already or factored the cost into your budget. It can be tempting to use the paint roller or brush you have lying around the house. But if it’s not the correct type or style, you could ruin your project.
Type of countertop: Make sure the kit can be used on your existing countertop. Most can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including laminate, medium density fiberboard (MDF) and wood, but always check to make sure.
Coverage: Carefully measure your existing countertop to ensure the paint or refinishing kit will completely cover it. If you’re not careful you might run out in the middle of the project, or waste money buying more than you need. Most kits provide 30 to 40 square feet of coverage. Calculate what you need and buy the right amount.
Color/Finish: Choose a countertop finish or paint that blends well with the look and overall style of the room. Also, think about how you use the countertop, and your expectations for cleaning or maintenance.
Darker countertops hide stains better and look sleek, while lighter options brighten things up. It’s good to choose a neutral color for bathroom countertops, adding color with accessories.
Countertop Paint or Refinishing Kit: Best Overall
The detailed instructions and helpful photographs make the Daich SpreadStone Countertop Refinishing Kita great option for beginners seeking straightforward, simple application.
An official Daich instructional video offers a comprehensive walk-through. This kit includes the necessary base coat to prep your existing countertop, as well as three rollers to eliminate cross-contamination. This product can be used on wood and laminate countertops.
Best Countertop Paint or Refinishing Kit: Granite-Look
The Giani Sicilian Sand Countertop Paint Kitprovides everything you need to create a light-colored, flecked-granite look countertop with a smooth, high-gloss finish.
It requires more painting skill than kits with rollers, but the included sea sponge and detailed video instructions make it easy to end up with a beautiful, authentic-looking result. It will take a full weekend to complete, but Amazon reviewers say it’s worth it — it rated 4.5 stars with almost 9,000 reviews.
Countertop Paint or Refinishing Kit: Best Paint
The low cost and hassle-free application of the Beyond Paint All-In-One Countertop Makeover Kitcould be the perfect fit for those with small countertops. This paint bonds, primes and seals in a single application, so you shouldn’t need to do any sanding or stripping before you start.
The ash color is contemporary, perfect for those who don’t want a stone or textured appearance. It won’t be as durable as more expensive options, though, so add a separate sealant if your countertops experience frequent use.
Countertop Paint or Refinishing Kit: Textured Stone
The Rust-Oleum Transformations Countertop Kitprovides a textured finish that mimics a real stone surface, a tactile authenticity you won’t find in most other products.
This kit requires you to sprinkle the decorative chips on the surface and do a significant amount of sanding. You may want to team up with someone so you’re not doing all of this yourself.
Best Countertop Paint or Refinishing Kit: Marble
The Stone Coat Countertops Carrara Marble Kitincludes two metallic powders, from which you create the high-end look of marble countertops. This process does require a bit of artistry, so remember to spread the colors randomly, like in natural stone.
Stone Coat also provides a helpful instructional video that explains how the process works and how to achieve the look of real marble.
Countertop Paint or Refinishing Kit: Stone Repair
Unlike other products that must be applied to an entire surface, the HIMG Light Cure Acrylic DIY Surface Repair Kitcan be used on the small divots and chips in your existing stone countertops. The applicator syringes make it easy to apply the filler.
As long as the problem area is smaller than a penny, the finished product will be nearly unnoticeable. It also takes just 10 minutes to set, so you won’t need to shut down your entire kitchen for the weekend.
Countertop Paint or Refinishing Kit: Best Clear Epoxy
If you’re just looking to add a clear coat to your existing countertop, the TotalBoat Table Top Epoxy Resinis a popular option. You get two gallons of product, sufficient for covering up to 25.6 sq. ft.
Application is easy, too; just mix the two bottles together, pour and spread evenly. A small butane torch or heat gun will eliminate any bubbles on the surface. This transparent product is ideal for encasing decorative items underneath, like bottle caps, coins, or uniform patches — perfect for bartops.
You’ll need to create a form for this kind of project, but clear packing tape will be sufficient to contain the product as you pour.
All prices and links were current as of publication.
