Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the counter top
• Part 2 of 3: Painting formica
• Part 3 of 3: Maintaining a painted countertop

Formica is a brand name for laminated material made of hard plastic. Durable and easy to maintain, Formica is often used for floors, tables, worktops, cabinets and other surfaces that are subject to heavy use. It may not fit your budget to replace your countertops, but if you want to partially remodel your kitchen or bathroom, you can paint your Formica countertops to make them look brand new again.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the counter top

1. Gather your cleaning supplies. There are several things you will need to clean a formica countertop before painting it. You will have to remove grease and sand the surface before you can start painting. To clean and prepare the countertop you will need the following:
   • Bucket
   • Degreasing cleaner
   • Sponge or scouring pad
   • 150 grit sandpaper
   • Vacuum cleaner
   • Damp rag or cloth
   • Dry rag or cloth
2. Remove everything from the countertop. In order to paint your countertop properly, you will have to completely empty the surface. Remove all appliances, plates and cutlery, food, storage boxes, plants and decorations from the counter and reposition them.
   • You can keep things in your kitchen cupboards, pantry, on the kitchen table or in the basement or garage.
   • Do not put anything on the floor near the place where you will be working.
3. Remove the sink. To protect the sink from paint and cleaning agents, it is best to remove it from the counter top. Start by turning off the water by turning off the main tap. Before removing the sink, you will also need to remove the faucet.
   • Use a wrench to loosen the nuts securing the faucet to the water line. Loosen the drain, loosen the nuts holding the faucet in place and remove the faucet.
   • Use a screwdriver to remove the long screws securing the sink to the counter top.
   • Disconnect the sink from the water line and drain pipe.
   • If necessary, loosen the sink from the counter with a screwdriver and then remove it.
   • If you can't get the sink off, cover the bottom and sides of the sink with plastic and tape the plastic down.
4. Wipe the counter top with a degreasing cleaner. Use a sponge or scouring pad to clean the entire countertop surface with a degreasing cleaner. When you're done, wipe the counter with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue of dirt, grease, and cleaner. Then wipe the counter with a dry cloth and let it air dry for half an hour. Good degreasing cleaners for this job include:
   • Trisodium phosphate. Mix 120 ml trisodium phosphate with 2 liters of water in a bucket.
   • Denatured alcohol
   • Ammonia-based cleaners, such as oven cleaners, all-purpose cleaners and glass cleaners
5. Sand the counter top. One problem with painting formica is that it is a smooth and slippery material. So the best way to get paint to adhere to it is to roughen the surface. You can easily do this with sandpaper. Use a 150-grit piece of sandpaper or a sanding block.
   • Rub the entire surface with the sandpaper or sanding block. Apply even pressure while doing this. Do not forget to treat nooks, edges and cracks.
6. Vacuum and clean the area. Once you've sanded the entire worktop with sandpaper, vacuum the surface to remove any sanding dust and dirt left behind when sanding. Then wipe the entire surface with a damp cloth.
   • Dry the surface with a dry cloth and leave the counter top for at least half an hour to allow it to air dry completely.

Part 2 of 3: Painting formica

1. Gather your painting supplies. To paint the countertop, you will need primer, paint and some tools to apply the paint and protect adjacent surfaces. You need the following tools, among others:
   • Paint tray
   • Paint roller
   • Medium size paintbrush
   • Two foam rollers
   • Painter's tape
2. Choose the right paint. Painting a formica countertop is different from painting other surfaces. The problem is mainly that countertops are used intensively and therefore have to be able to withstand a lot. That's why you need very durable paint. You can choose any color and style, but look for a durable paint that is suitable for formica, such as:
   • Water-based epoxy paint with two components
   • Paint intended for laminated surfaces
   • Indoor acrylic paint
   • Oil-based alkyd paint for indoors
3. Tape and cover adjacent surfaces. To protect adjacent surfaces from paint and splashes, tape off all things adjacent to the surface you will be painting. This may include walls, cupboards and mudguards.
   • Good types of painter's tape are green tape, blue tape, and masking tape.
4. Ventilate the room. Before you start applying the primer and paint, open a window and turn on a fan to blow air around the room. The fumes from the primer and paint can be dangerous, so make sure the room is well ventilated throughout the painting job.
5. Apply two coats of primer. If you are not using a two-component paint that doubles as a primer, it is important to prime the countertop before applying paint. The best kind of undercoat for a countertop is oil paint. Try to buy a primer that is the same color you want to paint the countertop in.
   • Pour the primer into the paint tray. Place a clean foam roller on a paint roller and roll it through the primer. Wipe off the excess primer on the tray.
   • Cover the entire countertop surface with a thin coat of primer. Use the brush to treat the cracks and paint the areas around the edges.
   • Wait about three hours for the paint to dry and then repeat the process. Read the directions on the paint can to find out exactly what the drying time is and when the paint can be painted.
6. Apply paint. When the primer is completely dry you can apply paint. Pour the paint into a clean paint container. Place a clean, dry foam roller on a paint roller. Dip the roller in the paint and soak it completely with paint. Wipe off the excess paint on the tray.
   • Apply a thin coat of paint to the entire counter top. Use the brush to paint along edges, in cracks and hard to reach areas.
   • Let the paint dry according to the directions on the package. This usually takes about three hours.
   • When the first coat is dry, apply a second and third coat if necessary.
7. Remove the masking tape. When you have applied the last coat of paint, remove the masking tape. Removing the tape while the paint is still wet will prevent the paint from drying on the tape and then removing it along with the tape.
   • To remove the tape, gently pull the tape towards you at a 45 degree angle.
8. Reinstall the sink when the paint is dry. When the paint has dried after 24 to 72 hours (read the directions on the package), reinstall the sink. Reposition the sink, reconnect it to the drain, retighten the screws, and reconnect the faucet.

Part 3 of 3: Maintaining a painted countertop

1. Give the paint time to cure. It may take a few hours to days or even longer than a week for the paint to cure, depending on the type of paint you used for your countertop. During this time, it is important not to put anything heavy on the counter, wet the counter, prepare food on it, and avoid the counter as much as possible.
   • If you don't give the paint time to cure, it may smudge, dimples or streaks may appear, or the paint may not adhere properly to the surface.
   • Check the paint can to see how long you have to let the paint cure.
2. Do not cut food on the counter top itself. When cutting or chopping food into pieces, always do this on a cutting board to protect the paint and countertop surface. This will prevent scratches, peeling paint and dents and stripes.
   • To protect your knives and ensure that they stay sharp longer, use wooden cutting boards instead of plastic, bamboo or glass cutting boards.
3. Use coasters. Coasters protect the paint and the laminated material from damage. Never place a hot pan or object on the worktop itself, but always put a trivet or trivet underneath it first. The same goes for the bathroom. Never place a hot tool such as a curling iron on the painted surface.
   • Hot objects can burn and melt the paint, scorch the laminate, warp the countertop and cause the formica components to peel off.
4. Do not use abrasive cleaners. Use sponges and cloths and clean the countertop with liquid cleaners and soaps if necessary. Do not use scouring pads and harsh cleaning powders that can remove the paint from the surface.