Refinishing Your Kitchen Countertops Like a Pro

Is your kitchen the real heart of the home? If you spend your evenings creating home-cooked meals for your family and holidays baking delicious baked goods, you are in good company! I love a great recipe as much as the next person, but it also means that my kitchen countertops undergo a lot of wear and tear. If your counters are starting to show their age, or you’d like to change the look of your kitchen, a great option to try is refinishing your kitchen countertops. 

 

Most of your kitchen is composed of countertop and cabinets. These elements set the entire tone for the room. If you, your guests, or even future potential homebuyers are feeling less-than-welcome, it may be time to do some DIY refinishing. 

 

Please note: Refinishing is NOT to be confused with resurfacing. Resurfacing is a process that should be handled by a professional.  Resurfacing requires completely redoing your countertop materials by either removing, replacing, or covering the existing laminate with either new laminate or tile. Refinishing is a do-it-yourself project completed with a kit available in most home stores. 

Kitchen Renovation Ideas

 

If you have unsightly burn marks, scratches, or knicks on your countertops, you may be thinking about changing out your countertops entirely. Although a hardy stone countertop looks great and lasts longer, it may not be in the budget. The good news is, there are a variety of refinishing kits available to achieve the look you’re hoping for. A quick search of “countertop refinishing kits” immediately delivered a handful of options, right at the top of the page. Today’s options include: 

 

• A stone finish in an oyster color; 
• A granite finish in slate; 
• A marble finish in white diamond; and
• A standard gray recoat. 

Prepping Your Kitchen for Countertop Refinishing

This part, I cannot stress enough! The final look depends entirely on your ability to follow the directions on the box. Each manufacturer will have their own set of instructions, so be sure to follow them directly. To give you an idea, this is what my instructions suggested: 

 

• Using your preferred painter’s tape, tape off the area you intend to resurface. I do 2 layers of the wide painter’s tape. Then, I cover all countertops and floors with thick contractor’s paper. 
• Remove all of the hardware (faucets, outlet covers, etc.)
• Remove all caulking and scrape any residue. 
• Repair any significant dings or scratches using a counter repair kit (sold separately). 
• Clean using a mixture of bleach and water – and I mean every nook and cranny. 
• Sand the surface using the appropriate sandpaper – I use 440 or 600 grit wet/dry. 
• Scrub the surface again with an abrasive cleaner. 
• Scrub it a third time with bleach and water. The surface must be free from all films, dust, debris, dirt, paint drops, etc. 
• Just before starting, wipe the counter with a microfiber cloth. 

Safety First

 

Most refinishing kits advise that you need to ventilate the area properly. Heed this warning! Make sure that you have your windows open and a large fan in the room (pointed AWAY from your surface and blowing the fumes away from you). 

 

• You also want a box of thick disposable gloves; 
• A ventilation mask/respirator; 
• Work clothes; and
• Cleanup wipes. 

Refinishing Your Kitchen Countertops

 

After all of that cleaning, this step is actually the easiest part of refinishing your kitchen countertops, in my opinion. But, I’ll admit that the first few times I did it, my heart was in my throat during the first few strokes. You can expect that it is just like painting, except that it sets fast. The manufacturer will advise you as to the best brushes or rollers to use for the material you chose. 

 

As for my two cents, you want to make sure that the brush stays pretty moist. If the roller or brush dries, you will begin leaving streaks, or the roller will start to crumble because the refinishing material becomes tacky. You’ll want to have several varieties, and several extras on hand to switch out in a hurry should a roller begin shedding, or a brush becomes too stiff. 

 

You should also expect to do several coats, although this also depends on your manufacturer. Your brushes can be cleaned using the appropriate cleaner for your refinishing product. Still, in my experience, it’s easier just to toss them because the material is meant to last. 

Pro Tips from an Interior Designer

 

In my experience, this project is more advanced. It should not be your very first DIY project, especially if you have never painted before. There is some technique involved with painting. While painting a wall or a dresser you have time to figure it out before it dries; this material dries quickly, affording you little extra time to learn how to paint. In any case, before you begin any DIY project like this, make sure you test the substance so you can get the feel of the material before you start. If you love the final product, consider you can also refinish bathroom countertops, tubs and showers! 

 

Having trouble picking out a color or a material? A Utah interior designer can help you create a color scheme to suit your preferences. An interior stylist will also increase marketability, should you ever sell your home. At Our Nest Designs, we will help you create a home you love so you can enjoy the life you live. If this project is too intimidating, we can also connect you with contractors to complete the job. Get it right the first time with a high-quality final product. Find out how we can help you love your home again. Call us today at 801-913-8962 to schedule a consult.