Replace Counter Top Color

I was told about a year ago about a paint (or similiar substance) that could be used to cover horribly colored counter tops. Has anyone had experience with this type of substance (I am trying to avoid taking them out only due to color)?

Mr. Pink

Here are some options, hope they help

http://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Formica-Countertops
http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/95041.html
http://www.grahampaint.com/howto_formica.htm

Wow that took about 2 minutes for an answer (+rep). Have you used any of these products? It seems http://www.grahampaint.com/howto_formica.htm takes the least amout of time, but does it work as well?

Mr. Pink

http://www.integritycoatings.com/integritprod.htm

i have used their bath tub refinishing product on some of my dad's rehab projects. Outstanding product! They offer classes on how to refinish counter tops and I have seen the counter tops at their warehouse. They look great. The tub refinish kits will do 2 tubs. I have also redone cultured marble counter tops with the satin kit. They turned out really nice and about 1/3 of the price of replacement.

Awesome, I was also looking at redoing a bathtub and heard finger nail polish was the 'last thing to try'. I have tried comet and other cleaners, but need to step it up a level, but don't want to wreck the pipes. I will look into the product mentioned, thanks.

Mr. Pink

Is this for your residence or a flip/rental? I would not paint a counter top either way personally, as the durability can be terrible. An epoxy coating like mentioned above would be the only 'paint' on alternative I would concider. I would worry that it may devalue the look of the kitchen though.

Depending on your skills, time, budget, and goals, you can tile, replace with new Formica, or build a concrete counter top for a little over 100 bucks, depending on sq footage.

This works especially well for rentals...

Tile warehouses always have closeout tile, cheap. Thinset, grout, tile, and some time and you'd be in business.

You can re-laminate the existing counter top with sheets of Formica. I would not recommend this unless you have experience and tools (router, edge bander, heat gun, glue gun, etc.).

But, you can buy new Formica counter tops for about 55-85 dollars per section (6'-8', std 24"D) anywhere, like Home Depot or Lowe's.

Last, but not least, a few bags of concrete, color pigment, wire mesh, wooden forms, time, and good 'how to' tutorial, will make for a great concrete counter top (current trend, aside from granite).

IMO, all of these options are a higher initial investment of time and money, but will last for years to come depending on the circumstances.

Hope that helps!

I'm with Matt on this one. I have tiled directly on formica with great results. easy to do and tile can be found on the cheap. There is also the granite tile option. You can find this at counter top surface dealers...they cut up the pieces that are left over (much cheaper than a typical granite counter top, with the same look). You run a very thin grout line and it looks like a solid surface.

-John

Oh I forgot about these bookmarks, there's a 'paint on' or recoating solution in some them....

http://www.permaglaze.com/cabinetrefinishing.html

http://www.miraclemethod.com/aboutRe...ountertops.htm

http://www.resurfaceit.net/products.php

http://www.granitetransformations.com/

http://getagripinc.com/products/

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/qa/qa...ountertop.html

http://www.startremodeling.com/solut...resources.html

This is for a long term rental. I was able to fix the bathtub with Goo Gone making sure to let it sit for about 20 minutes.

Mr. Pink

I've got granite in my rental.

I agree that tile is cheap and easy. I would go that route, and it will make your unit rent faster too I'd bet.

If it was a flip I'd splurge and go granite, or do a nice tile like marble or something.

- Hakrjak

Alright so to keep this DIY thread going...

I am having water pool up in the middle of a basement from a thin crack in the floor (about 1/8 of an inch in depth after heavy rains). I went to home depot and to get some basement sealer and was told that I probably need to get a contractor. The explanation being that sealers only work if water seeps in which I feel it is just quite a bit of it.

I am planning on just buying the sealer for 40 dollars since its not too much to lose for potential reward. I do not understand why they do not make sealer (there are glues out there which are rated up to 500 psi) that can within stand considerable psi for basement floors.

Anyone have success using basement sealers? If so any particular brand of sealer that did or did not do the job? Thanks.

Mr. Pink

I like that idea. Speed ++

How about making something more durable, not spending a LOT, but really kicking up the perceived value of the rental?

You can now get prefinished GRANITE countertops (not tiles-- solid granite) for about $250 for an 8' long pc (has bullnose on 3 sides).

Hire a granite contractor to cut in place, and voila! instant granite counters for LESS THAN THE PRICE OF NEW LAMINATE COUNTERS.

I know this sounds ridiculous, but we just finished a house w/this, and are going to do 2 more.

Check your local sources for 'prefinished granite countertops'.

-Russ H.