Stained Plastic Laminate Kitchen Counter - Refinishing

By Hklbrries

Q. We have a plastic laminate kitchen counter that is an ugly yellow color and has some stains I can’t remove. Can the counter be refinished? - L. Gray

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A. There are several ways to refinish or resurface the counter, ranging from painting to adding a layer of ceramic tiles. The cost of these makeovers can range from $50 to $250 or more.

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Some finishes claim to give the appearance of stone or granite and the finishing process can be quite elaborate. Even for basic painting, to change the color and cover the stains, plan on not using the counter for several days to allow for adequate drying of multiple coats.

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To paint, clean the surface first with a detergent solution and rinse. Follow this by sanding lightly but thoroughly with 150-grit sandpaper, which will improve adhesion of the finish. Remove all dust with a vacuum or sticky tack rags. Mask the sink and wall joint with painter’s tape.

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Two coats of primer are usually recommended. Good choices are Zinsser’s Bulls Eye 1-2-3 or B-I-N. Both adhere well to glossy surfaces and have short drying times (B-I-N, which is shellac-based, dries faster but is flammable and has a shellac odor; Bulls Eye 1-2-3 is water-based and has less odor). Sand the primer lightly with 250 or 300 grit sandpaper and clean up dust.

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When the primer coats have dried, apply two coats of high-quality, semi-gloss acrylic enamel. I prefer acrylic (water-based) products in kitchens because of the flammability and odor of oil-based products. Some painters use a small, fine-napped roller to apply the paint, but a smooth finish can also be obtained with high-quality brushes.

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If you want more shine, let the paint dry and add a coat or two of glossy, water-based polyurethane. For a stone-look or granite-look finish, check out Rust-Oleum’s Countertop Transformations (use an Internet search engine and the product name to find more information). These systems basically involve spreading colored chips into a paint film, which Rust-Oleum calls "the fun part" in an on-line description.

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Keep in mind that any painted finish can be scratched and possibly damaged by hot utensils; it won’t be as durable as the original laminate. Use cutting boards and extra care to keep the counter looking good.

Ingredients

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Details

Adapted from northjersey.com

Preparation

Step 1

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