Painted Countertops after 5 Years

Painted Countertops after 5 years. How did they hold up? If you are thinking about painting your counters, but are hesitant, I understand. Painting your counters can seem like such a big feat, and the fear of messing them up can really hold you back. Keep reading below to find out how my Painted Countertops have held up, and also my do’s and don’ts I have learned along the way.

Painted Countertops!?! I know, I know, this sounds crazy, but it has been one of my most successful DIY projects. I am here to tell you why, I painted my counters and how they have held up. Are you ready?

Why Paint Countertops?

First of all, I will explain why I chose to paint my counter tops. My husband and I bought our first home at the end of 2016, a fixer upper none the less. We knew we would have tons of updates to make to our home, but the kitchen countertops were definitely not at the top of the list.

Our countertops were white Formica with little flecks of gold glitter, likely from the 70’s or 80’s. They had a few dents and dings, normal for countertops a few decades old. My favorite “ding” included a spot where someone had clearly sat a very hot pot at some point. If you have ever had white, laminate countertops you will know they are very easily stained. Especially with red Kool-Aid, which happens to be my family’s favorite.

At the beginning of 2018, I was ready for a change. I knew I wanted to update the countertops, but I really didn’t want to rip everything out. Concrete countertops were an option, but it would definitely not be a project I could handle all by my lonesome. I also realized countertops are expensive, and this was a problem because I am…how would you say it…cheap.

One day I was scrolling through Facebook, and one of my friends had posted they were attempting to use a paint kit on their countertops. I researched the paint kits and found them to be pretty expensive, and the color options were pretty limited. It looked to me like the most important part of painting countertops would be to seal them very well. So, I decided to take the process into my own hands.

Steps to Paint Countertops

Below are the steps to Paint Counters, but you can find all the supplies and even more details in my original blog post, How to Paint Countertops in 6 Easy Steps.

First, you want to sand your countertops to give them a little grit for the primer to hold on to. You also want to sand down any rough spots, or unlevel parts of your countertop.
After you finish sanding, you want to make sure you wipe your counters down with a damp rag to make sure they are clean.
Next, you can start the priming process. I just applied one thin coat of white primer with a foam roller.
Now it’s time to get creative, and start thinking about paint colors. My **Top Tip is making sure to mix different paint colors together to make more elevated colors.
Next, to start painting, dip your sponge, lightly, into the paint and start dabbing onto your countertop. I worked in 2-3 foot sections, moving left to right.
Now for the last step, the protective finish. You do want to make sure you are working quickly, and keeping everything smooth. I started rolling with my foam roller, working left to right, and covered the whole countertop.

Is Painting Countertops a Good Idea?

In my opinion, Painting Countertops is a great way to spruce up your counters on a budget. After living with my painted countertops for five years, I still love them to this day. I have also had several members of my family and friends who have also painted their counters, and they have also been very pleased as well.

What kind of Paint do you use on Countertops?

Acrylic paint is the best option when it comes to painting your countertops. You can find out exactly what I used to paint my countertops in my original Painted Counters blog post. But the real key is the sealer, which is the most important part.

How do you Seal a Countertop after Painting?

Speaking of sealing being the most important step of painting your counters. I used a water based polycrylic, and coated it with multiple layers. The sealing is one thing I would do differently. Not the product, because I love the water based polycrylic, but the process.

The only thing I wish that I would have done different is to continue to seal my countertops over the years. I have never applied any future coats of sealer, and I think this would be a great step to add. I recommend applying a coat or two, one or twice each year.

How long do Painted Counters Last?

After 5 years, my Painted Counters have really held up well. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few dents and dings, but the imperfections are minimal. Like I said above, the main thing that I think could help the minor dings would be to regularly seal your counters, at least annually.

I have loved my Painted Counters, and would like to do some little touch ups, and give them a good coat of sealer. Keep following along to see how I touch up my Painted Countertops after 5 years. As always, keep following along with The Four Acre Farm blog for more Easy Recipes, Gardening Tips, & Budget Friendly DIY.